Clinical prognostic factors for tinnitus retraining therapy with a sound generator in tinnitus patients

Objectives. The purpose of the present study is to find out the clinical characteristics which determine candidates for tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) with a sound generator (SG) as well as the prognosis of this treatment. Method. This study enrolled 270 serious tinnitus patients who visited this institute between January 2004 and December 2008 in the TRT program. The relationships among compliance, efficacy, clinical characteristics, and affinity for SG were evaluated retrospectively. Results. The persistence rate at one month was 61.5%. The shorter duration and higher pitch of tinnitus were significant independent predictors of compliance. Six months after the initiation of TRT, 65.2% subjects demonstrated significant relief from tinnitus. The Kaplan-Meier method demonstrated that the overall efficacy rate at 18 months was 86.5%. The lower loudness of tinnitus, recognition of tinnitus attenuation by a sound generator, and patient’s positive attitude toward TRT were significant variables for predicting favorable results. Conclusion. The patients with lower loudness of tinnitus were suitable for TRT with a SG