Tinnitus Multivariate Integrated Sound Therapy (T‐MIST)

[Frédéric]

I know this is another sound therapy, but I relay this news without censorship.

The Long‐term Effectiveness of Tinnitus Multivariate Integrated Sound Therapy (T‐MIST) in 148 Tinnitus Patients with Normal Hearing Thresholds: Our Initial Experience

Abstract

1. This preliminary study provides a combined sound therapeutic strategy (called T‐MIST) for the management of tinnitus patients with normal hearing thresholds. It takes into account individual tinnitus characteristics and personal choices of sounds to provide an efficient intervention.
2. High‐resolution pure tone audiometry was used to measure precise tinnitus pitch and loudness. A Residual Inhibition Test (RIT) was performed using narrow band noise matched to tinnitus frequency at 10 dB above perceived tinnitus loudness for 60 seconds.
3. Effectiveness of long‐term sound therapy was evaluated using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) at the pre‐sound therapy assessment as well as at follow‐up visits held at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12‐ months.
4. T‐MIST had a positive long‐term effect on tinnitus patients with normal hearing thresholds. The RIT appears to be a useful indicator for short‐term effectiveness of sound therapy intervention. However, the audiometric tinnitus loudness measures may be insufficient in describing an individual's reaction to sound therapy intervention.
5. These results should be interpreted with caution due to the preliminary nature of this study. Further studies should be conducted to explore more convincing benefits derived from this intervention for chronic tinnitus and the associated influencing factors using systematic approaches, such as randomized controlled trials, and comparisons of tinnitus patients with varying degrees of hearing loss.

 

[Frédéric]

The Acceptability and Influencing Factors of an Internet-Based Tinnitus Multivariate Integrated Sound Therapy for Patients With Tinnitus

Objective: To explore the acceptability and influencing factors of an Internet-based Tinnitus Multivariate Integrated Sound Therapy (iT-MIST). The individually tailored sound therapy used narrowband noise centered on the patient's tinnitus frequency in combination with natural sounds and relaxing music.

Design: Patients with tinnitus were given a 1-week trial of iT-MIST. Semistructured interviews were then carried out and a thematic analysis used to analyze, identify, organize, and report factors discovered in the data. Study Sample: Semistructured interviews were carried out with 11 participants, 2 women and 9 men, mean age 39.82 years.

Results: The first theme identified from patient interview analysis was their motivation to undertake and expectations of iT-MIST. Nearly half of the participants indicated that advice from the physician was considered very important and professional. Benefits acknowledged by most participants from their iT-MIST experience were accessibility, convenience, time- and cost-effectiveness, and emotional benefit. However, a few participants with poor understanding of tinnitus and iT-MIST showed a negative acceptability with doubtful thoughts and complaints about technical issues such as being easily interrupted by messages and phone calls.

Conclusion: Patients with tinnitus in this study were not universally accepting of the iT-MIST therapy. Concerns about their tinnitus and ability to comply with doctor's recommendations were the main influencing factors. Attitude or willingness to explore new therapies facilitated its use. Emotional benefits, for example, relaxation and comfort, were seen to sustain motivation, while doubtful thoughts and technical problems negatively affected acceptability