ATA-FUNDED RESEARCH
The Effect of Tinnitus on Gap Detection Continued from Page 10
Tinnitus and Gap Detection
As hypothesized, approximate threshold values in tinnitus patients were longer in duration than those of the non-tinnitus subjects (Table 1 – Page 10). A statistically significant difference between the medi- an values for the two groups was found at 50 dB SL. At 30 dB SL, the median threshold values for the two groups were not significantly different, which may be explained by the small sample size. For non-tinnitus subjects, a significant increase of the threshold values with a decrease of the presentation level from 50 to 30 dB SL was observed (Table 1).
The GDT data obtained with the adaptive procedure are depicted in Figure 2. Due to a small sample size, statistical comparisons of GDTs for tinnitus patients and those for non-tinnitus subjects were limited. All GDT values for subject APT8 (green circles) were higher than those for any non-tinnitus subject. Pure- tone thresholds revealed hearing loss at 4 and 8 kHz (Fig. 1 – Page 10), which may partially explain reduced temporal processing abilities. Hearing impairment is believed to affect GDTs for lower level markers and therefore higher GDT values for 50 dB SL markers are anticipated to reflect the influence of tinnitus on gap detection ability in that patient.
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Figure 2. The gap detection threshold (GDT) data obtained with the adaptive procedure. Markers with durations of 250 and 40 ms were presented at 50 and 30 dB sensation level
(dB SL). The individual data for the non-tinnitus group are depicted by black symbols, the median values of that group by black filled circles, and individual data for the tinnitus group by color symbols.
Conclusions
The results reveal poorer temporal acuity abilities in tinnitus patients than in non-tinnitus normal-hearing individuals. These preliminary results represent the first step towards quantitative assessment of temporal processing abilities of tinnitus patients. Limited quantitative research has been conducted on tinnitus patients and typically focuses on the tinnitus sound rather than its effects on the processing of sound (i.e., gap detection). This study represents an initial, preliminary attempt towards developing a clinical test to support the interpretation of diagnostic and rehabilitative elements of tinnitus management.
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Tinnitus Today | Summer 2012
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