Abstract
Objective: Examine the relationship between severity of tinnitus, as measured by the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and performance on a computer-based objective test of cognition (ie, Brain Speed Test (BST)) and investigate the impact of a Brain Fitness Program (BFP) on tinnitus patients.
Method: Cross-sectional study of 60 adults with tinnitus. BST was completed by all participants. Results were transformed to z scores (BSTZ) based on age-matched control data. Fifteen subjects continued in a longitudinal study using BFP. Attention, memory, and bother scores were assessed in addition to THI score and BST post-training.
Results: Duration of tinnitus for the 60 participants (average age, 54 years; 51% males) ranged from 6 months to 47 years (median, 7 years). THI ranged from 0 to 80 (median, 26). Severe tinnitus was present in 27 (46%) of participants. A significant relationship between severity of tinnitus and BSTZ was identified in the group of participants with severe tinnitus (Spearman rho = 0.52, P = .006). Thirteen subjects completed BFP. All subjects with bothersome tinnitus (n = 6) reported a subjective improvement in attention and memory.
Conclusion: These results suggest that BST could serve as the first objective measure of the cognitive impairment associated with tinnitus. These data also suggest that Brain Fitness Program can be a potential aid to patients with severe tinnitus, as it seems to improve attention, memory, and ability to comprehend.
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