Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2014 , Vol 17, Issue 2
EFFECTS OF HEARING AIDS ON TINNITUS IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS WITH AGE-RELATED HEARING LOSS
Aydın ACAR1, Hasan ŞAHİN2, Rauf Oğuzhan KUM1, Zeynel ÖZTÜRK3, Melih ÇAYÖNÜ4, Fulya EKER1, Celil GÖÇER5
1Ankara Numune Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Kulak Burun Boğaz Kliniği ANKARA
2Ankara Numune Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Odyoloji, Kliniği ANKARA
3Nişantaşı Üniversitesi Meslek Yüksekokulu, Odyoloji Kliniği İSTANBUL
4Amasya Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Kulak Burun Boğaz Anabilim Dalı AMASYA
5Lokman Hekim Sincan Hastanesi, Kulak Burun BoÄŸaz KliniÄŸi ANKARA
Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hearing aids on tinnitus in elderly patients with presbycusis using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory.

Materials and Method: Twenty-four elderly patients who were diagnosed with presbycusis and subjective tinnitus between September 2013 and January 2014 were included in this study. The tinnitus handicap inventory questionnaire was completed before a hearing aid was prescribed and then 3 months after using the hearing aid. The effects of the use of hearing aid on tinnitus were assessed by comparing the scores.

Results: A total of 24 patients, 10 females and 14 males were included in the study. Their ages ranged from 65 to 74 years, with a mean of 67.04±2.95. With respect to tinnitus handicap inventory scores, before using hearing aid the mean score was 60.08±11.86, and after 3 months it decreased to 42.33±13.48. This difference was found to be highly significant (p=0.001). For all degrees of hearing loss, the decrease in patients' tinnitus handicap inventory scores after the use of hearing aid was found to be statistically significant (26-40 dB; p=0.007, 41-55 dB; p = 0.018, ≥56 dB; p=0.011).

Conclusion: Among elderly patients with tinnitus and presbycusis, a significant difference was observed in the severity of tinnitus after 3 months of hearing aid use. The results of this study confirm the effectiveness and benefit of fitting hearing aids for tinnitus in elderly patients with presbycusis. Keywords : Aged; Hearing Aids; Tinnitus; Presbycusis