Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Diğer, ss.15-20, 2018
Evaluation of Listening Effort in Patients with Tinnitus: A Preliminary Study Objective: The aim of this preliminary study is to determine the effect of chronic subjective tinnitus on listening effort. Materials and Methods: 36 individuals, (21 F and 15 M) were included in the study. The participants were evaluated in three groups: two study groups consisting of individuals suffering from tinnitus with mild hearing loss and individuals suffering from tinnitus without hearing loss; and a control group consisting of individuals with normal hearing without tinnitus. After audiologic evaluations, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory were carried out and the listening effort was assessed using the dual task paradigm. Speech in noise test at +10 dB Signal to Noise Ratio (primary task) and saccadic eye movement test (secondary task) were performed separately and simultaneously. Results: In the presence of tinnitus and mild hearing loss group, the increase in listening effort was found to be statistically significant from tinnitus and normal hearing individuals (p = 0.00) and the control group (p = 0.00). The rate of change within the listening effort of individuals with and without tinnitus was not found to be statistically significant (p>0.05). The increase in listening effort of individuals who had complaints of tinnitus for 5 years or more was found to be statistically significantly higher than those who complained less than 5 years (p = 0.002). Conclusion: A statistically significant increase within the listening effort in individuals with tinnitus who had a hearing loss at mild level and who had a tinnitus complaint over five years, was determined. Keywords: Subjective tinnitus, listening effort, Tinitus Handicap Inventory