INTRODUCTION: One of the standard measurements in the evaluation process is quantifying the tinnitus frequency. With advancements in the treatments of tinnitus, the need for a simple patient-directed automated tinnitus assessment is urging. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the accuracy of a web-based protocol for tinnitus frequency matching in comparison to audiometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty subjects had tinnitus frequency matching in a random order using an audiometer in an anechoic chamber and using a web-based software with a multiple-choice protocol and a slider. Octave challenge testing was performed. Participants were asked to indicate which protocol resulted in the closest match to their tinnitus frequency. RESULTS: Median tinnitus frequency was 6000Hz (range, 2000-12000Hz) using the audiometer and self-directed multiple-choice protocol. Using the slider, the median frequency was 5925Hz (range, 1850-16000Hz). The patients with tinnitus frequency of over 12000Hz experienced a higher level of satisfaction when using the computer-based slider system. Five patients experienced octave confusion with self-directed multiple-choice tinnitus matching that was corrected accurately after the octave challenge step. CONCLUSION: A web-based protocol for tinnitus frequency matching is as accurate as a standard audiometric protocol. An octave challenge test is necessary for a patient-directed tinnitus frequency matching.
INTRODUCTION: One of the standard measurements in the evaluation process is quantifying the tinnitus frequency. With advancements in the treatments of tinnitus, the need for a simple patient-directed automated tinnitus assessment is urging. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the accuracy of a web-based protocol for tinnitus frequency matching in comparison to audiometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty subjects had tinnitus frequency matching in a random order using an audiometer in an anechoic chamber and using a web-based software with a multiple-choice protocol and a slider. Octave challenge testing was performed. Participants were asked to indicate which protocol resulted in the closest match to their tinnitus frequency. RESULTS: Median tinnitus frequency was 6000Hz (range, 2000-12000Hz) using the audiometer and self-directed multiple-choice protocol. Using the slider, the median frequency was 5925Hz (range, 1850-16000Hz). The patients with tinnitus frequency of over 12000Hz experienced a higher level of satisfaction when using the computer-based slider system. Five patients experienced octave confusion with self-directed multiple-choice tinnitus matching that was corrected accurately after the octave challenge step. CONCLUSION: A web-based protocol for tinnitus frequency matching is as accurate as a standard audiometric protocol. An octave challenge test is necessary for a patient-directed tinnitus frequency matching.
Authors: Frederick Robert Carrick; Guido Pagnacco; Kate McLellan; Ross Solis; Jacob Shores; Andre Fredieu; Joel Brandon Brock; Cagan Randall; Cameron Wright; Elena Oggero Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2015-06-01