The International Tinnitus Journal

Effectiveness of Personalized Sound Therapy in Tinnitus Management: A preliminary results of Comparative of Three Masking Techniques

Author(s):

Mezri Sameh,Haddeji Meriem

Objective: The objective of this study is to conduct an in-depth comparative evaluation of three commonly used sound therapy techniques for managing chronic subjective tinnitus: pitch-matched masking, white noise, and audiogrambased masking. We aim to assess not only their clinical effectiveness but also patient tolerance and preference, using standardized tinnitus assessment tools. Methods: A prospective study involving 10 adult patients with chronic subjective tinnitus was conducted. Each participant was fitted with hearing aids equipped with three custom masking programs: a pitch-matched tone corresponding to their tinnitus frequency, broad-spectrum white noise, and noise tailored to their audiogram profile. Over a 30-day period, patients rotated through the three programs, with data collected at three evaluation points (baseline, day 15, and day 30). Outcome measures included the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), visual analog scales (VAS) for tinnitus intensity and annoyance, speech intelligibility assessments, and subjective preference questionnaires. Paired statistical analyses were used to assess significance. Results: The study demonstrated a clear improvement across all patients in tinnitus-related quality of life and symptom severity. THI scores showed a statistically significant mean reduction from 48.4 at baseline to 24.4 at day 30 (p = 0.026). VAS scores for both tinnitus intensity and annoyance similarly declined, particularly in users of the pitchmatched program, which was preferred by 60% of participants. In terms of speech comprehension, pitch-matched noise preserved intelligibility more effectively than the other two masking strategies. Conclusion: The results suggest that individualized sound therapy, particularly pitch-matched masking, offers substantial clinical benefit and greater user satisfaction in managing chronic tinnitus. These findings highlight the value of patient-specific therapeutic strategies in audiological practice and support broader integration of personalized digital tools in routine care. PDF