Evaluation of iPod-Based Automated Tinnitus Pitch Matching. 2015

Robert Wunderlich, and Alwina Stein, and Alva Engell, and Pia Lau, and Lea Waasem, and Alex Shaykevich, and Claudia Rudack, and Christo Pantev
Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany.

BACKGROUND Tinnitus is the perception of sound unrelated to any external source. Diagnostic approaches to assess tinnitus characteristics such as tinnitus pitch are crucial for new attempts of tinnitus therapy. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate reliable tinnitus pitch-matching procedures. Existing procedures usually require audiometric equipment and are time consuming. However, some patients with tinnitus find it hard to match their tinnitus in one single session. Therefore, we developed an iPod-based application for self-administered tinnitus pitch matching and compared it with a standardized audiometric procedure. METHODS A total of 17 patients with chronic tonal tinnitus participated in two sessions including both pitch-matching procedures. METHODS In the conventional audiometric test, the investigator adjusted the frequency and loudness of pure tones led by the responses of the patient. For the iPod-based procedure, we used a recursive two-interval forced-choice test that required no interaction with an investigator. Both procedures included loudness matching and testing for octave confusion. RESULTS The iPod-based procedure resulted in lower pitch matches as compared with the conventional audiometry. Psychometric qualities such as test-retest reliability of both methods were comparable. Participants rated the iPod-based procedure as easier to perform and more comfortable to use. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we find that the use of self-administered tinnitus pitch-matching procedures on a mobile device is feasible and easier in practice without any loss of reliability and validity. A major advantage is the possibility of repeated measurements without expensive equipment and experienced staff. Repeated measurements of tinnitus pitch can provide more information about the stability of the tinnitus perception and may improve the ability of participants to match their tinnitus.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010898 Pitch Perception A dimension of auditory sensation varying with cycles per second of the sound stimulus. Perception, Pitch,Perceptions, Pitch,Pitch Perceptions
D003936 Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted Application of computer programs designed to assist the physician in solving a diagnostic problem. Computer-Assisted Diagnosis,Computer Assisted Diagnosis,Computer-Assisted Diagnoses,Diagnoses, Computer-Assisted,Diagnosis, Computer Assisted
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D001299 Audiometry The testing of the acuity of the sense of hearing to determine the thresholds of the lowest intensity levels at which an individual can hear a set of tones. The frequencies between 125 and 8000 Hz are used to test air conduction thresholds and the frequencies between 250 and 4000 Hz are used to test bone conduction thresholds. Audiometries
D001309 Auditory Threshold The audibility limit of discriminating sound intensity and pitch. Auditory Thresholds,Threshold, Auditory,Thresholds, Auditory

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