Patients suffering from chronic debilitating tinnitus and mild hearing loss experience greater symptom reduction after 12 weeks of active sound therapy compared to a placebo group, according to a randomized controlled trial published in Scientific Reports. The multicenter, double-blind study was promoted and coordinated by the French Association of Multidisciplinary Teams in Tinnitusology (AFREPA).
Researchers recruited 145 participants across six specialized French expert centers in Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lyon, Nantes, Paris, and Lille. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: an amplification placebo fitting, a sound generator fitting, or a combined sound generator and hearing amplification fitting. The trial’s initial six-week protocol gave the two active treatment groups a fixed regimen before offering participants the option to choose a specific program for the subsequent six weeks.
Observed Symptom Reductions Across Expert Centers
Participants receiving active sound therapies reported a significant decrease in tinnitus handicap, lower perceived loudness, and an overall improvement in their condition. Investigators noted that when given a choice between treatment options, patients frequently preferred programs that included hearing amplification, despite having only mild hearing loss. The study involved specialists including ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physicians and audioprosthetists.
Associated researchers Philippe Fournier from Laval University in Canada and Arnaud Norena from the University of Marseille in France contributed to the project. The authors emphasized that the findings do not constitute a blanket recommendation to prescribe hearing aids to every individual with mild hearing loss and tinnitus. Instead, the observed benefits relied entirely on a comprehensive clinical pathway that included thorough evaluation, patient counseling, and individualized device fitting.
Addressing Individual Patient Needs and Comorbidities
Clinical management in the trial accounted for underlying factors such as sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, and hyperacusis. Investigators pointed out that mild hearing loss encompasses a wide range of individual auditory profiles, meaning two patients with similar audiometric thresholds can experience drastically different daily communication challenges.
The study helps fill a recognized gap in international clinical guidelines regarding the lack of rigorous controlled trials for sound therapies in tinnitus management. AFREPA brings together healthcare professionals involved in the care of tinnitus and hyperacusis to advance scientific knowledge and clinical practices in the francophone world.
Frequently Asked Questions About the AFREPA Trial
Which medical centers participated in the French tinnitus study?
The trial was conducted across six expert French medical centers located in Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lyon, Nantes, Paris, and Lille, with coordination from AFREPA.
How long did the active treatment phase last for participants?
Participants underwent a 12-week treatment protocol, which featured a fixed regimen for the first six weeks followed by a choice of program configurations for the final six weeks.
What specific improvements were reported by patients in the active treatment groups?
Patients in the active sound therapy groups experienced a reduction in tinnitus handicap, a decrease in perceived sound intensity, and an overall improvement in self-reported well-being compared to the placebo group.
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