Investigating Extended High Frequency Hearing Loss In Tinnitus

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Extended High Frequency Audiometry; a tool for uncovering a hidden cause of Tinnitus in individuals with normal standard audiograms.

  • IRAS ID

    311141

  • Contact name

    Emily Yarnold

  • Contact email

    emily.yarnold@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    Joint Research Management Office (JRMO)

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 11 months, 24 days

  • Research summary

    Tinnitus is the name for hearing noises that are not caused by sounds coming from the outside world. These noises may sound like ringing, buzzing, hissing, whistling or others. Persistent tinnitus is thought to affect around 1 in 8 people in the UK. Many individuals with tinnitus have a measurable hearing loss on standard testing, and are provided with hearing aids as part of their management plan. However, particularly in younger people, there are those with normal standard hearing test that suffer with tinnitus. Current standard hearing tests measure hearing levels up to a certain frequency (pitch of sound). Human hearing can detect sounds above this frequency, and this can be measured in an extended high frequency hearing test. \n\nFinding a hearing loss in these individuals would help progress the current understanding on causes of tinnitus, and allows us to better manage individuals with a normal standard hearing test and tinnitus. This could be in the form of counselling/management, and more effective guidance on hearing protection. \n\nTherefore, this study is investigating whether individuals with normal results on a standard hearing test who suffer from tinnitus, have a hearing loss in these higher frequencies. We want to compare results of this extended high frequency test with those individuals with tinnitus, and those without, when both groups have normal hearing on standard testing. This will be tested at the Royal London Hospital Audiology department during a single visit, which should last between 1-2 hours. \n\n

  • REC name

    South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    22/SW/0099

  • Date of REC Opinion

    7 Jul 2022

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion