Hearing training with mobile application for tinnitus: usability and clinical results of the Zumit app

TL;DR

The Zumit app helps manage tinnitus through auditory training, showing significant improvements in participants' tinnitus symptoms and satisfaction.

Contribution

The study introduces the Zumit app as a novel mobile tool for tinnitus management with demonstrated clinical effectiveness.

Findings

The Zumit app significantly reduced tinnitus severity as measured by the Visual Analog Scale and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory.

Participants reported high usability scores and a majority were classified as promoters of the app.

The study showed statistically significant improvements in tinnitus symptoms after using the app.

Abstract

To evaluate usability and clinical impact of an application for tinnitus identification and intervention.

This was a pre- and post-test observational study. A convenience sample included individuals with tinnitus complaints and normal hearing who were on a waiting list at a teaching clinic. Audiological assessment included conventional and high-frequency audiometry, immittance testing, tinnitus pitch matching, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, and Visual Analog Scale. The intervention consisted of auditory training. The application was assessed for efficiency, effectiveness, and participant satisfaction using the System Usability Scale and Net Promoter Score. The Shapiro-Wilk test assessed normality. Paired t-tests and Wilcoxon tests were applied, adopting a 5% significance level. Missing data were excluded from final analysis.

From the sample of 29 participants, 23 completed the final evaluation. 47.8% were male and 52.2% female. Mean age of 46 years. All had experienced tinnitus for over six months. 39% reported a hissing sound, 43.5% a whistling sound, and 17.5% a cicada-like sound. Usability assessment showed an average score of 77.06, with 50% of participants classified as promoters, 25% as neutral, and 25% as detractors. Pre- and post-intervention results with the Zumit app demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in Visual Analog Scale scores (W = -231.000, p < 0.001) and a decrease of 21.478 points (p < 0.001) in the overall Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score.

The Zumit app featuring frequency discrimination auditory training, may be an effective tool for tinnitus management. Limitations include the sample size and restricted generalization to individuals with normal audiometry.