Tinnitus masking patterns have long been known to differ from those used for masking external sound. In the present study, we compared the shape of tinnitus tuning curves (TTCs) to psychophysical tuning curves (PTCs), the latter using as a target, an external sound that mimics the tinnitus characteristics. A secondary goal was to compare sound levels required to mask tinnitus to those required to mask tinnitus-mimicking sounds. The TTC, PTC, audiometric thresholds, tinnitus pitch, and level matching results of 32 tinnitus patients were analyzed. Narrowband noise maskers were used for both PTC and TTC procedures. Patients were categorized into three groups based on a combination of individual PTC–TTC results. Our findings indicate that in 41% of cases, the PTC was sharp (V shape), but the TTC showed a flat configuration, suggesting that the tinnitus-related activity in that subgroup does not behave as a regular stimulus-induced activity. In 30% of cases, V-shape PTC and TTC were found, indicating that the tinnitus-related activity may share common properties with stimulus-induced activity. For a masker centered at the tinnitus frequency, the tinnitus was more difficult to mask than the mimicking tone in 72% of patients; this was particularly true for the subset with V-shape PTCs and flat TTCs. These results may have implications for subtyping tinnitus and acoustic therapies, in particular those targeting the tinnitus frequency.
Abstract The present study consisted of two experiments. The goal of the first experiment was to establish the just noticeable differences for the fundamental frequency of the vowel /u/ by using the 2AFC method. We obtained the threshold value for 27 cents. This value is larger than the motor reaction values which had been observed in previous experiments (e.g. 9 or 19 cents). The second experiment was intended to provide neurophysiological confirmation of the detection of shifts in a frequency, using event-related potentials (ERPs). We concentrated on the mismatch negativity (MMN) - the component elicited by the change in the pattern of stimuli. Its occurrence is correlated with the discrimination threshold. In our study, MMN was observed for changes greater than 27 cents - shifts of ±50 and 100 cents (effect size - Cohen’s d = 2.259). MMN did not appear for changes of ±10 and 20 cents. The results showed that the values for which motor responses can be observed are indeed lower than those for perceptual thresholds.
Objective: The need for validated measures enabling clinicians to classify tinnitus patients according to the severity of tinnitus and screen the progress of therapies in our country led us to translate into Polish and to validate two tinnitus questionnaires, namely the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI). Design: The original English versions of the questionnaires were translated into Polish and translated back to English by three independent translators. These versions were then finalized by the authors into a Polish THI (THI-Pl) and a Polish TFI (TFI-Pl). Participants from three laryngological centers in Poland anonymously answered the THI-Pl (N = 98) and the TFI-Pl (N = 108) in addition to the Polish versions of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale as a measure of self-perceived level of depression, and the Satisfaction With Life Scale to assess self-perceived quality of life. Both were used to determine discriminant validity. Two Visual Analog Scales were used to measure tinnitus annoyance and tinnitus loudness in order to determine convergent validity. Results: Similar to the original version of the THI, the THI-Pl showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.93). The exploratory factor analysis revealed that the questionnaire has a three-factorial structure that does not correspond to the original division for functional, catastrophic, and emotional subscales. Convergent and discriminant validities were confirmed. The TFI-Pl showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.96) with the reliability ranging from 0.82 to 0.95 for its different subscales. Factor analysis confirmed an eight-factorial structure with factors assigning all items to appropriate subscales reported in the original version of the questionnaire. Discriminant and convergent validities were also confirmed for the TFI-Pl. Conclusion: We translated and validated the Polish versions of the THI and the TFI to make them suitable for clinical use in Poland.
Background: Tinnitus severity is generally assessed by psychometric and audiological instruments. However, no objective measure exists to evaluate the subjective discomfort and suffering caused by this hearing phenomenon. The objective of this work was to determine the possible blood parameters for diagnostics and therapy. Methods: We measured tinnitus distress by using the Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ) and collected tinnitus-related audiological measures, namely the hearing threshold (HT), tinnitus loudness (TL), and sensation level (SL, i.e., the tinnitus loudness/hearing threshold at a tinnitus frequency). Blood samples were taken from 200 outpatients of the Tinnitus Centre of the Charité, and 46 routine blood count parameters were examined. The possible interactions were determined by (robust) linear models. Results: Tinnitus distress and audiological measurements were largely uncorrelated but could partly be predicted by selected blood parameters. First, the erythrocyte counts predicted tinnitus distress to a small extent. Second, the levels of vitamin D3 explained about 6% of tinnitus loudness and, age-dependently, the hearing threshold variability. Last, the levels of uric acid explained about 5% of the sensation level variability. Conclusions: Tinnitus is a multidimensional phenomenon. The marginal influences of blood markers suggest the possible roles of inflammation and oxidative stress produced by psychological or somatic burdens. Clinically, a vitamin D substitution (in older patients) might have a hearing-protective effect.
Progress in medical education is reflected in healthcare quality and patient satisfaction. However, there are still gaps in knowledge regarding the patients' expectations of general practitioners (GPs), even though patients' interactions with GPs are among the most frequent in healthcare. Accordingly, this study investigated the qualities desired by adults in GPs, intending to include them in future medical humanization education to enhance the patients' experience. Using an online survey, 1057 respondents (52.8% female; mean age, 46.55 years old, SD 16.03) were asked to rate 15 statements on a scale of 1 to 10 regarding desirable characteristics of general practitioners. In addition to the respondents' high regard for their GP's ongoing education and sincerity in conveying both positive and negative information, the findings suggest that the socio-demographic attributes of the respondents influence their expectations of GPs. Women had higher overall expectations than men. In addition, those who reported higher satisfaction with their lives and recent healthcare users had higher expectations of GPs than those who were dissatisfied. The youngest group of respondents exhibited the lowest expectations of the GPs' attributes, except for their greater willingness to engage in discussions with GPs regarding personal or professional issues, compared with the older groups. The information presented in this work can be utilized during medical students' humanization training and physicians' continuing education. The knowledge gained should enhance GPs' awareness of the distinctions in patients' expectations, enabling them to adapt their approach and services to align with their patients' unique needs, expectations, and experiences.
Tinnitus (“ringing in the ears”) is sometimes described as a phantom sound. The phenomenon consists of the perception of a sound of various quality (ringing, hissing, buzzing or a permanent tone) that has no external source and is believed to be the consequence of the nervous system activity. Tinnitus was recognized already in ancient times. Nowadays, millions of people perceive tinnitus, some to a debilitating degree. In its chronic form it is often linked to hearing problems, lowered satisfaction with life and depression. The aim of this paper is to present a Polish reader with the most prominent models that explain the evolution and maintenance of tinnitus perception from different perspectives (physiology, neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science).
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