The influence of tinnitus frequency on patients experiencing subjective tinnitus and the efficacy and prognosis of acoustic therapy

Objective

This study examines the therapeutic impact and prognosis of acoustic therapy in patients with chronic subjective tinnitus across different tinnitus frequencies.

Methods

A total of 135 patients with subjective tinnitus were selected and categorized based on their primary tone frequency into three groups: high frequency (43 patients, 4–8 kHz), mid frequency (40 patients, 1–3 kHz), and low frequency (42 patients, < 1 kHz). All patients received acoustic therapy customized to their specific frequency and loudness levels, along with tinnitus cognitive behavioral therapy. Changes in tinnitus loudness and efficacy rates before and after treatment in the different groups, as well as before and after tinnitus cognitive behavioral therapy were evaluated and assessed.

Results

The low frequency group showed a statistical improvement in tinnitus loudness compared to the mid and high frequency groups (P < 0.05). The efficacy rate was 93.55 % in the low frequency group, 82.88 % in the mid frequency group, and 58.82 % in the high frequency group. The efficacy rate in the low frequency group was significantly higher than in the high frequency group, but there was no statistical difference when compared to the mid frequency group.

Conclusion

The frequency of tinnitus in patients with chronic subjective tinnitus might be a key factor affecting treatment effectiveness and could account for the differences in treatment outcomes among patients.