Possible Role of Sound Therapy in Treatment of Tinnitus

Abstract

It is difficult to obtain a precise definition of tinnitus. Generally, tinnitus is defined as perception of noise in the absence of an external sound source. However, in some patients, there is an actual source causing the sound perception such as vascular lesions &tempero-mandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. It may be perceived in one or both ears, centered in the head or localized outside the head.Tinnitus can be classified into objective and subjective. Objective tinnitus is a rare condition that can be defined as the perception of a sound which has been generated physically in or near the ear as in case of muscle spasms or vascular disorders. It can be perceived by the individual and the external observer. On the other hand, subjective tinnitus is more common and perceived only by the patient with the symptom as it doesn`t involve an identifiable sound source. It is a highly complex condition that has a multifactorial origin, different patient profiles and caused by disturbed activity in the auditory system. Sound therapy is the oldest and most natural approach aimed at improving tinnitus as tinnitus patients can experience every day that an external acoustic source can mask their tinnitus. Sound therapy is not aimed at treating the causes of tinnitus but helping to manage the consequences of tinnitus as it assume that tinnitus results from central changes after hearing loss that can be reversed by appropriate acoustic stimulation. Acoustic stimulation may be very beneficial for some patients while completely ineffective for others.