Tinnitus management for patients with Meniere's syndrome - a novel protocol using latest technology to address hearing fluctuation...1st WORLD TINNITUS CONGRESS AND XII INTERNATIONAL TINNITUS SEMINAR 22-24 MAY 2017, WARSAW.
To disseminate a novel approach to manage tinnitus of patients with Meniere's syndrome by using available technology to address eventual hearing fluctuation. Patients diagnosed with Meniere s syndrome who came to the audiology clinic for tinnitus management were given a mobile phone app to measure t...
| Published in: | Journal of Hearing Science Vol. 7; no. 2; p. 139 |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | abstract research Journal Article |
| Published: |
Institute of Sensory Organs
May2017
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| Summary: | To disseminate a novel approach to manage tinnitus of patients with Meniere's syndrome by using available technology to address eventual hearing fluctuation. Patients diagnosed with Meniere s syndrome who came to the audiology clinic for tinnitus management were given a mobile phone app to measure their own hearing and to monitor their symptoms of tinnitus, aural fullness and dizziness at home prior to considering an appropriate hearing device. Every patient with Meniere's syndrome experiences tinnitus although not all are distressed by it. Our results revealed 2 groups of patients; those with stable hearing (group 1) and with hearing fluctuation (group 2). Patients in group 1 were fitted with conventional hearing aids with a volume control and group 2 with hearing aids plus portable hardware and proprietor 's software with in-situ audiometry capabilities. All patients fitted with hearing aids experienced significant reduction in tinnitus perception while wearing their devices. Patients received immediate tinnitus relief during hearing aid fitting. They also reported a greater sense of control over their condition once they started monitoring their own symptoms under professional guidance. The patients own hearing measurements helped to assess the presence of hearing fluctuation facilitating the hearing aid selection and fitting process. It also gave patients a greater understanding of their syndrome which promoted a „less medical" and more efficient self- management of their condition. Hearing aids are effective in reducing tinnitus perception of patients with Meniere's syndrome. Audiological expertise combined with mobile technology, hearing aid programming software and hardware, are very useful in the management of patients with Meniere's disease. Systematic research is required to estimate optimum time required for self-monitoring prior to selecting and fitting hearing aids to patients with Meniere s syndrome. |
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