Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of a corresponding external acoustic stimulus. With prevalence ranging from 10% to 15%, tinnitus is a common disorder. Many people habituate to the phantom sound, but tinnitus severely impairs quality of life of about 1-2% of all people. Tinnitus has traditionally been regarded as an otological disorder, but advances in neuroimaging methods and development of animal models have increasingly shifted the perspective towards its neuronal correlates. Increased neuronal fi ring rate, enhanced neuronal synchrony, and changes in the tonotopic organisation are recorded in central auditory pathways in reaction to deprived auditory input and represent-together with changes in non-auditory brain areas-the neuronal correlate of tinnitus. Assessment of patients includes a detailed case history, measurement of hearing function, quantifi cation of tinnitus severity, and identifi cation of causal factors, associated symptoms, and comorbidities. Most widely used treatments for tinnitus involve counselling, and best evidence is available for cognitive behavioural therapy. New pathophysiological insights have prompted the development of innovative brain-based treatment approaches to directly target the neuronal correlates of tinnitus. Lancet Neurol 2013; 12: 920-30 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (B Langguth MD, P M Kreuzer MD) and Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Center (B Langguth, P M Kreuzer, References 1 Krog NH, Engdahl B, Tambs K. The association between tinnitus and mental health in a general population sample: results from the HUNT Study. J Psychosom Res 2010; 69: 289-98. 2 Axelsson A, Ringdahl A. Tinnitus-a study of its prevalence and characteristics. Br J Audiol 1989; 23: 53-62. 3 Pilgram R. Tinnitus in der BRD. HNO aktuell 1999; 7: 261-65. 4 Shargorodsky J, Curhan GC, Farwell WR. Prevalence and characteristics of tinnitus among US adults. Am J Med 2010;

This article presents an overview of tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears), its psychological effects, and the application of cognitive -behavioral therapy (CBT) for its treatment. Several studies have confirmed an association between psychological factors, such as anxiety and depression, and severe tinnitus and preliminary reports suggest that a proportion of tinnitus patients suffer from mental illness. Assessment strategies used in CBT for tinnitus include structured interviews, daily diary ratings, and validated self-report questionnaires. The treatment approach described in this article includes applied relaxation, imagery and distraction techniques, advice regarding environmental sounds, management of sleep, cognitive restructuring of thoughts and beliefs associated with tinnitus, and relapse prevention. The literature pertinent to CBT approaches to treating tinnitus is reviewed, and it is concluded that CBT shows promise as a treatment of tinnitus-related distress. Future research directions are discussed. D

Objectives. Depressive symptoms are common in individuals with tinnitus and may substantially aggravate their distress. The mechanisms, however, by which depression and tinnitus mutually interact are still not fully understood. Methods. Here we review neurobiological knowledge relevant for the interplay between depression and tinnitus. Results. Neuroimaging studies confi rm the existence of neural circuits that are activated both in depression and tinnitus. Studies of neuroendocrine function demonstrate alterations of the HPA-axis in depression and, more recently, in tinnitus. Studies addressing neurotransmission suggest that the dorsal cochlear nucleus that is typically hyperactive in tinnitus, is also involved in the control of attention and emotional responses via projections to the locus coeruleus, the reticular formation and the raphe nuclei. Impaired hippocampal neurogenesis has been documented in animals with tinnitus after noise trauma, as in animal models of depression. Finally, from investigations of human candidate genes, there is some evidence to suggest that variant BDNF may act as a common susceptibility factor in both disorders. Conclusions. These parallels in the pathophysiology of tinnitus and depression argue against comorbidity by chance and against depression as pure reaction on tinnitus. Instead, they stand for a complex interplay between tinnitus and depression. Implications for tinnitus treatment are discussed.

A growing number of self-report measures for the evaluation of tinnitus severity has become available to research and clinical practice. This has led to an increased awareness of depression and personality as predictors of tinnitus severity in addition to loudness and other psychoacoustic measures. However, the net impact of personality dimensions on tinnitus ratings has not been investigated when the effect of depressed mood is controlled. In the present study, we demonstrate the role of the big five personality traits, 'Neuroticism', 'Extraversion', 'Openness', 'Agreeableness', and 'Conscientiousness', in affecting scores on two standard instruments for grading tinnitus-related complaints, the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI), and the tinnitus questionnaire (TQ). When 72 individuals with chronic tinnitus were examined, 'Agreeableness' negatively correlated with THI scores ( p ¼ .003), whereas the anxiety trait 'Neuroticism' correlated both with depressive symptomatology ( po.001) and TQ scores ( p ¼ .028), but not with THI ratings (n.s.). In addition to confirming the established roles of trait anxiety and depression, low 'Agreeableness' was thus identified as a novel predictor of tinnitus severity on the THI.

During the past decade, a large amount of work on transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been performed, including the development of new paradigms of stimulation, the integration of imaging data, and the coupling of TMS techniques with electroencephalography or neuroimaging. These accumulating data being difficult to synthesize, several French scientific societies commissioned a group of experts to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature on TMS. This text contains all the consensual findings of the expert group on the mechanisms of action, safety rules and indications of TMS, including repetitive TMS (rTMS). TMS sessions have been conducted in thousands of healthy subjects or patients with various neurological or psychiatric diseases, allowing a better assessment of risks associated with this technique. The number of reported side effects is extremely low, the most serious complication being the occurrence of seizures. In most reported seizures, the stimulation parame...

Chronic tinnitus affects 5-15% of the general population; in 1% of individuals with tinnitus this condition severely affects their quality of life. Pharmacological treatment is one of the options for the management of tinnitus patients, but their efficacy remains controversial. AIM. To evaluate the level of evidence to support the use of different drugs in reducing the severity of tinnitus. The pharmacological groups that have been investigated for the treatment of tinnitus include anesthetics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antihistamines, benzodiazepines, diuretics, corticosteroids, and of other substances. Intravenous lidocaine seems to be effective, but the short duration of the effect and the adverse reactions prevent its use. Compared with placebo, carbamazepine and gabapentine have not demonstrated effectiveness although they may be effective in some patients with auditory nerve vascular compression or myoclonus. Tricyclic antidepressants are no more effective than placebo...

Background: Up to 53% of individuals suffering from traumatic brain injuries develop tinnitus. Objective: To review the current literature on trauma-associated tinnitus in order to provide orientation for the clinical management of patients with trauma-associated tinnitus. Materials: A systematic literature search has been conducted in PubMed database applying the search terms posttraumatic tinnitus and trauma-associated tinnitus. Results have been complemented by related studies, book chapters, and the authors' clinical experience. Results: Not only mechanical, pressure-related, or noise-related head traumata but also neck injuries and emotional trauma can cause tinnitus. Exact diagnosis is essential. Disorders such as ossicular chain disruption, traumatic eardrum perforation, or perilymphatic fistula can be surgically treated. It should also be considered that pulsatile tinnitus can be a sign of life-threatening disorders such as carotid cavernous fistulas, arteriovenous malformations, and carotid dissections. Also, posttraumatic stress disorder should be taken into consideration as a potential contributing factor. Conclusions: There is an evident mismatch between the high incidence of trauma-associated tinnitus and scarce literature on the topic. A consistent and-at best-standardized assessment of tinnitus-and hearing-related sequelae of trauma is recommended both for the improvement of clinical care and for a deeper understanding of the various pathophysiological mechanisms of trauma-associated tinnitus.

Music therapy is the therapeutic use of music and musical activities in the treatment of somatic and mental diseases. In the last decades it has developed from a quasi-professional working field into an increasingly evidence-based treatment for various diseases. Selected outcome studies that were carried out in order to give music therapy a scientific and empirical base are presented in this article. Results show that music therapy is an effective intervention for patients with chronic pain, children with migraine, and patients suffering from chronic tinnitus. This positive outcome, in combination with the observed moderate to large effect sizes in different metanalyses, provides evidence for the use of music therapy in specific clinical fields. Future research should focus on studies that compare well-defined music therapy interventions to standard treatment. 11:50 PM NICKEL et al.: RESEARCH IN MUSIC THERAPY recent research efforts have examined the effects of music therapy (or music as a relaxing/distracting stimulus) on patients undergoing heart or cataract examination, and in a multicenter study in cooperation with the Center for Biomedical Research in Music (Colorado State University) on rhythmic-auditory stimulation 11 in gait rehabilitation of hemiparetic stroke patients.

Phantom auditory perception - tinnitus - is a symptom of many pathologies. Although there are a number
of theories postulating certain mechanisms of its generation, none have been proven yet. This paper analyses the
phenomenon of tinnitus from the point of view of general neurophysiology. Existing theories and their extrapolation
are presented, together with some new potential mechanisms of tinnitus generation, encompassing the involvement
of calcium an d calcium c hannels in co chlear functio n, with implications for malfunction and aging of the auditory
and vestibular systems.
It is hypothesize d that most tinnitus resu lts from the perc eption of ab normal ac tivity, defined as ac tivity
which cannot be induced by any combination of extern al sounds. Moreover, it is hypothesized that signal recognition
and classification circuits, working on holographic or neuronal network-like representation, are involved in the
perception of tinnitus and ar e subject to plastic modification. Furthermore, it is proposed that all levels of the nervous
system, to varying degrees, are involved in tinnitus manifestation. These concepts are used to unravel the
inexplicable, unique features of tinnitus and its masking. Some clinical implications of these theories are suggested.

Chronic subjective tinnitus is a prevalent condition that causes significant distress to millions of Americans. Effective tinnitus treatments are urgently needed, but evaluating them is hampered by the lack of standardized measures that are validated for both intake assessment and evaluation of treatment outcomes. This work was designed to develop a new self-report questionnaire, the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), that would have documented validity both for scaling the severity and negative impact of tinnitus for use in intake assessment and for measuring treatment-related changes in tinnitus (responsiveness) and that would provide comprehensive coverage of multiple tinnitus severity domains.

Objective: Nonpulsatile tinnitus is an auditory phantom percept characterized as a tone, or a noise-like sound such as a hissing or buzzing sound or polyphonic, in the absence of any objective physical sound source. Although advances have been made in symptomatic pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments, these treatments are unable to eliminate the tinnitus sensation in most patients. A novel approach using noninvasive and invasive neuromodulation has emerged as an interesting and promising modality for tinnitus relief.

. When the psychosis-- nonpsychosis grouping was considered, patients with psychosis responded dramatically better to ECT in all assessments, whereas those without psychosis responded similarly to both treatments. Conclusions: Overall ECT was a more potent treatment for patients with MDD, this being particularly evident in patients with MDD and psychosis; however, in patients with MDD without psychosis the effects of rTMS were similar to those of ECT. The results we report are encouraging and support an important role for rTMS in the treatment of severe MDD; however, additional blinded studies are needed to precisely define this role. Biol Psychiatry 2000;47:314--324 2000 Society of Biological Psychiatry Key Words: TMS, ECT, MDD, transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy Introduction T ranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was introduced by Barker et al in 1985 as a new method for noninvas

Introductory chapter to Hush by Mack Hagood. For almost sixty years, media technologies have promised users the ability to create sonic safe spaces for themselves—from bedside white noise machines to Beats by Dre's “Hear What You Want” ad campaign, in which Colin Kaepernick's headphones protect him from taunting crowds. In Hush, Mack Hagood draws evidence from noise-canceling headphones, tinnitus maskers, LPs that play ocean sounds, nature-sound mobile apps, and in-ear smart technologies to argue the true purpose of media is not information transmission, but rather the control of how we engage our environment. These devices, which Hagood calls orphic media, give users the freedom to remain unaffected in the changeable and distracting spaces of contemporary capitalism and reveal how racial, gendered, ableist, and class ideologies shape our desire to block unwanted sounds. In a noisy world of haters, trolls, and information overload, guarded listening can be a necessity for self-care, but Hagood argues our efforts to shield ourselves can also decrease our tolerance for sonic and social difference. Challenging our self-defeating attempts to be free of one another, he rethinks media theory, sound studies, and the very definition of media.

Objective: A systematic review of the literature to evaluate the clinical outcome of cochlear implantation for patients with singlesided deafness (SSD) or asymmetrical hearing loss (AHL). Data Sources: We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases from their inception up to December 10, 2013 for SSD or AHL and cochlear implantation or their synonyms. Study Selection: In total, 781 articles were retrieved, of which 15 satisfied the eligibility criteria. Our outcomes of interest were speech perception in noise, sound localization, quality of life (QoL), and tinnitus. Data Extraction: Critical appraisal showed that six studies reported on less than five patients or that they carried a low directness of evidence or a high risk of bias. Therefore, we extracted the data of nine studies (n = 112). Patient numbers, age, duration of deafness, classification of deafness, pure tone audiometry, follow-up duration, and outcome measurements were extracted from all nine articles. Data Synthesis: Because of large heterogeneity between studies, we were not able to pool data in a meta-analysis. We therefore summarized the results of the studies specified per outcome. Conclusion: There are no high-level-of-evidence studies concerning cochlear implantation in patients with SSD or AHL. Current literature suggests important benefits of cochlear implantation regarding sound localization, QoL, and tinnitus. Varying results were reported for speech perception in noise, possibly caused by the large clinical heterogeneity between studies. Larger and highquality studies are certainly warranted. Key Words: Asymmetrical hearing lossVCochlear implantationVDeafnessVHearing disordersVHearing lossVSingle-sided deafnessVSystematic review.

Tinnitus affects 10% of the population, its pathophysiology remains incompletely understood, and treatment is elusive. Functional imaging has demonstrated a relationship between the intensity of tinnitus and the degree of reorganization in the auditory cortex. Experimental studies have further shown that tinnitus is associated with synchronized hyperactivity in the auditory cortex. Therefore, targeted modulation of auditory cortex has been proposed as a new therapeutic approach for chronic tinnitus.

Clinical studies indicate a strong association between tinnitus and mental health, but results from general population data are missing. The purpose of the study was to examine the association between tinnitus, mental health, and wellbeing in the general adult population and to identify factors that might mediate and moderate this association. Methods: Data from 51,574 adults participating in the Nord-Trøndelag Hearing Loss Study (1995)(1996)(1997), part of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT-2), were analyzed. The association between tinnitus symptom intensity and symptoms of depression, anxiety, selfesteem, and subjective well-being was examined by multivariate ANOVA, stratified by age group and sex. Explanatory variables were age, marital status, education, hearing, dizziness, vision, physical disability, and somatic illness. In a subsample of participants with tinnitus, the effects of "time since onset," "predictability of tinnitus episodes," and "noise sensitivity" were tested. Results: Participants with tinnitus scored significantly higher on anxiety and depression and lower on self-esteem and well-being than people without tinnitus. The effect sizes were small and quite similar across levels of tinnitus symptom intensity. No significant effect of time since onset was found. A significant effect of predictability of tinnitus episodes and noise sensitivity was found in some groups. Conclusion: A weak association between tinnitus and mental health was found in this general population study.

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is the conscious awareness of sound, perceived in the ears or head, without an external sound source (Lockwood et al., 1998; McFadden, 1982). Imaging studies have identified regional activation associated with tinnitus perception similar to areas implicated in attention, memory and emotion (Golm, Schmidt-Samoa, Dechent, & Kröner-Herwig, 2012; Mirz et al., 1999; Mühlau et al., 2006; Vanneste et al., 2010). The importance of attention and memory in tinnitus has not been well-researched but studies suggest attention may play a role in tinnitus’ salience sustaining its presence, promoting annoyance or tinnitus-related disability (Alpini, Cesarani, & Hahn, 2007; Cuny, Noreña, El Massioui, & Chéry-Croze, 2004; Hallam, McKenna, & Shurlock, 2004; Jacobson et al., 1996). Studies described in this thesis (3 pilot studies [A, B and C] and 1 main study) describe the development of an attention-based training method to manage tinnitus. AIMS: Pilot A: determine any potential procedural learning-related effects occurring from repeated administration of an attention battery (CAB®). Pilot B: determine if an available attention training approach (APT-II) was adaptable to a client-centred approach consistent with a pervasive healthcare model. Pilot C: test the feasibility and efficacy of a take-home computerised attention training programme “Terrain” for tinnitus treatment. Main study: determine if the “Terrain” a computer-based auditory attention training game, would reduce tinnitus perception and if any changes were related to attention mechanisms. METHODS: Different participants were recruited into each study: Pilot A (7 tinnitus participants, 16 control participants); Pilot B (9 tinnitus participants); Pilot C (8 tinnitus participants) and 1 main study (15 in an experimental group, 16 in a control group). Each study used a combination of questionnaires (e.g. Tinnitus Functional Index, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and numeric scales) and psychoacoustic assessments (e.g. MMLs and tinnitus pitch-match). The main study also incorporated auditory event-related potentials. RESULTS: Pilot A: repeated administration of the (CAB®) resulted a significant increase in correct responses (p=0.011) for tinnitus participants and controls (p=0.009). Pilot B: APT-II was an effective approach for tinnitus management with a significant decrease in THI (p=0.050) but it was concluded that APT-II had practical limitations for use in a pervasive healthcare model. Pilot C: “Terrain” was effective in reducing tinnitus with a significant reduction in THI (p=0.015). Main study: significant reductions in TFI (15 points) and THI (9 points) were associated with significant improvements in attention (p<0.001) for “Terrain” compared to a
iii
control group (Tetris) TFI (6 points); THI (1 point). The “Terrain” training also resulted in significant reduction in numeric scales (ability to ignore tinnitus (p<0.001); annoyance (p<0.001)). Changes observed in (CAB®) (p<0.001) and ERPs (p<0.001) suggest that the reduction in tinnitus was related to changes in selective attention. CONCLUSIONS: A game-based attention training method shows promise as an attention management option, and such a method suits implementation in a pervasive healthcare model (Arnrich, Mayora, Bardram, & Tröster, 2010), enabling widespread access to tinnitus treatment when and where required by the patient.

Phantom auditory perception -tinnitus -is a symptom of many pathologies. Although there are a number of theories postulating certain mechanisms of its generation, none have been proven yet. This paper analyses the phenomenon of tinnitus from the point of view of general neurophysiology. Existing theories and their extrapolation are presented, together with some new potential mechanisms of tinnitus generation, encompassing the involvement of calcium an d calcium c hannels in co chlear functio n, with implications for malfunction and aging of the auditory and vestibular systems.

Chronic tinnitus is often accompanied by a hearing impairment, but it is still unknown whether hearing loss can actually cause tinnitus. The association between the pitch of the tinnitus sensation and the audiogram,edge in patients with high-frequency hearing loss suggests a functional relation, but a large fraction of patients with hearing loss does not present symptoms,of tinnitus. We therefore

Tinnitus is defined as a sound in the ear(s) and/or head without external origin and is a serious health concern for millions worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine whether Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is effective in reducing distress associated with tinnitus. Randomized, controlled trials that assessed the efficacy of CBT for tinnitus-related distress in adults were identified by searching electronic databases (PsychINFO, PubMed, the Cochrane Library), and by manual searches. Fifteen studies (total of 1091 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. CBT compared with a passive and active control at postassessment yielded statistically significant mean effect sizes for tinnitus-specific measures (Hedges's g = 0.70, and Hedges's g = 0.44, respectively). The average weighted pre-to-follow-up effect size for the CBT group suggested that these effects were maintained over time. Smaller but yet statistically significant effects of CBT were found for mood outcome measures. Characteristics of the studies were unrelated to effect sizes. Methodological rigor, publication bias, and a series of sensitivity analyses did not influence the findings. The results suggest that CBT is an effective treatment of tinnitus distress. However, caution is warranted given that few large-scale, well-controlled trials were identified.

The effects of an antioxidant, hydroquinone (HQ) and a grain refining additive, gelatin, on the electroplating characteristics of SnBi alloys were investigated. Methane sulfonic acid (MSA) based plating baths with varying contents of additives are prepared and the electrochemical behavior of each bath was investigated. Cathodic polarization studies showed that the presence of HQ possesses insignificant effect on the deposition behavior. The combination of HQ and gelatin successfully reduces the deposition potential gap of both elements hence allows co-deposition of SnBi in this plating bath. The adhesion of deposits and the formation of spongy deposits are respectively improved and eliminated by the synergistic effects of these two additives. The electroplated SnBi deposits showed a decrease in Bi content and with increasing current density. Near eutectic Sn-60.75 wt.%Bi alloy was successfully deposited from the bath with both HQ and gelatin at a current density of 18 mA cm-2.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013468612019950

The aim of this paper is to provide information about the neurophysiologic model of tinnitus and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT). With this overview of the model and therapy, professionals may discern with this basic foundation of knowledge whether they wish to pursue learning and subsequently implement TRT in their practice. This paper provides an overview only and is insufficient for the implementation of TRT.

Tinnitus is a symptom that affects a great number of patients. Its diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up are difficult, owing to its subjectivity. The authors propose the use of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) in tinnitus evaluation. They studied three groups: controls, having no complaint of tinnitus and normal hearing; group 1, presenting tinnitus and normal audiometry; and group 2, presenting tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss. The results showed 3.6% of DPOAE alterations in the control group, 18.8% in group 1, and 61.3% in group 2. This study shows a correlation between DPOAE alterations and tinnitus complaint, but many patients with tinnitus do not present with DPOAE alterations. The authors conclude that DPOAEs constitute a useful audiological method for evaluating patients complaining of tinnitus.

Tinnitus is a symptom that is highly associated with hearing loss. Its incidence is expected to increase due to the detrimental effects of occupational and leisure noise. Even though no standard treatment is currently available, the effect of cochlear implants on tinnitus in single-sided deafness (SSD) is under scientific attention. This review reveals an overview of all publicly available reports about cochlear implant as a treatment for tinnitus in SSD. Cochlear implantation in SSD suppresses tinnitus in most of the cases. Some studies even demonstrate complete tinnitus suppression after implantation. No tinnitus worsening is reported in any of the cases. Furthermore, tinnitus does not restore during the electrical stimulation presented by the cochlear implant. The tinnitus level seems to stabilize after 3-6 months after the first fitting. Although the underlying mechanism responsible for the observed tinnitus suppression is not yet clear, cochlear implantation should be considere...

This prospective study aimed to investigate the quality of life of workers in a steel factory. The study group was composed of 16 male workers with tinnitus and 30 ears. Fifteen male workers without tinnitus and 30 ears were included into the control group. Workers were evaluated by questionnaire, pure-tone audiometry, and the SF-36 Health Survey. In the study group, tinnitus loudness levels (TLLs) were found. In the study group, the domains general mental health and role limitations owing to emotional problems were significantly lower than in the control group. Older age, industrial noise exposure over a long period, higher noise exposure during work, and hearing loss secondary to occupational noise caused workers to experience higher TLLs. Earheadings protected workers more than earplugs, and TLLs were lower. Important factors that affect workers&#39; quality of life are maximum exposed noise levels, daily and total noise exposure time, and exposure to continuous noise. Occupation...

Good rehearsal facilities for musicians are essential. Directive 2003/10/EC necessitates that musicians are protected from noise exposure. A code of conduct gives the guidelines how this should be done. This study examines room acoustics recommendations provided by the Finnish code of conduct, and discusses whether they are adequate. Small teaching facilities were measured after renovation and compared to earlier measurements. Teachers&#39; opinions were inquired about the facilities before and after. The renovation did not decrease the noise exposure of the teachers. However, the majority preferred the facilities after the renovation. The Finnish code of conduct is not sufficient for facilities where loud instruments are played, or band practise. Good facilities can be designed but they must be specified at the designing stage for their intended use.

This paper investigates the growth of intermetallics in Sn-3.8Ag-0.7Cu (SAC) solder with and without Co nanoparticle reinforcement. Co reinforced composite was prepared by mechanically mixing 0.5 wt% and 1.5 wt% Co nanoparticles respectively into Sn-3.8Ag-0.7Cu solder paste. The formation and growth of the intermetallic compounds (IMC) at the solder joint interface were evaluated after thermal aging at 150°C for up to 1008 hours. In the solder joint, Cu6Sn5 intermetallic was observed on Cu substrate, followed by Cu3Sn intermetallic formation between Cu 6Sn5 and Cu after prolonged aging. The thickness of both IMC increased linearly as a function of square root of aging time. The Co nanoparticle reinforcement tended to suppress the growth of Cu3Sn intermetallic layer. However, the total of IMC thickeness was almost the same for the specimen with or without Co nanoparticle reinforcement.

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By charting the form and history of the tinnitus effect, we can begin to examine why a mixture of piercing and muffled sound has lately become so useful and salient in narrative film, a question that gives entry to broader issues of cinematic subjectivity and its cultural-historical context. It may be that cinematic tinnitus successfully sonifies contemporary feelings of loss and unease around politics and selfhood.

Sn-Bi alloys were electroplated from sulphuric acid based plating baths containing tin sulfate (SnSO4) and bismuth nitrate (Bi(NO 3)3). The electrochemical behavior of the plating bath was investigated by electrochemical studies. Potentiodynamic polarization curves of the plating bath revealed the large potential gap between the two elements. The effects of SnSO4 concentration and current density on the composition and morphology of the Sn-Bi electrodeposition were investigated. The surface morphology and composition of the Sn-Bi electrodeposited were investigated by scanning electron microscopic (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) spectroscopic. The Sn content in the deposits increased with increasing of Sn content in the bath. Bi content was found to decrease with increasing current density because of the more noble deposition potential of Bi. The microstructure and surface morphology of the Sn-Bi electrodeposits become finer and smoother with increasing Sn content in bath but rougher and less compact when current density is increased. Sn-36.47 wt.% Bi alloy was fabricated from this additive free plating bath.

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Tinnitus can be defined as the perception of noxious disabling internal sounds in the absence of external stimulation. While most individuals with tinnitus show some habituation to these internal sounds, many of them experience significant daily life impairments. There is now convincing evidence that impairment in attentional processes may be involved in tinnitus, particularly by hampering the habituation mechanism related to the prefrontal cortex activity. However, it is thus still unclear whether this deficit is an alteration of alerting and orienting attentional abilities, or the consequence of more general alteration in the executive control of attention. In the present study, 20 tinnitus patients were compared to 20 matched healthy controls using the Attention Network Test, to clarify which attentional networks, among alerting, orienting, and executive networks, show differences between the groups. The results showed that patients with tinnitus do not present a general attentio...

Acoustic stimulation with hearing aids or noise devices is frequently used in tinnitus therapy. However, such behind-the-ear devices are limited in their high-frequency output with an upper cut-off frequency of approximately 5e6 kHz. Theoretical modeling suggests that acoustic stimulation treatments with these devices might be most effective when the tinnitus pitch is within the stimulated frequency range. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a pilot study with 15 subjects with chronic tinnitus. Eleven subjects received hearing aids and four subjects noise devices. Perceived tinnitus loudness was measured using a visual analog scale, and tinnitus-related distress was assessed using the Tinnitus Questionnaire. After six months of device usage, reductions of perceived tinnitus loudness were seen only in subjects with a tinnitus pitch of less than 6 kHz. When subjects were grouped by tinnitus pitch, the group of patients with a tinnitus pitch of less than 6 kHz (n ¼ 10 subjects) showed a significant reduction in perceived tinnitus loudness (from 73.4 AE 6.1 before to 56.4 AE 7.4 after treatment, p ¼ 0.012), whereas in subjects with a tinnitus pitch of 6 kHz or more (n ¼ 5 subjects) tinnitus loudness was slightly increased after six months of treatment (65.0 AE 4.7 before and 70.6 AE 5.9 after treatment), but the increase was not significant (p ¼ 0.063). Likewise, tinnitus-related distress was significantly decreased in the low-pitch group (from 31.6 AE 4.3 to 20.9 AE 4.8, p ¼ 0.0059), but not in the group with high-pitched tinnitus (30.2 AE 3.3 before and 30.0 AE 5.1 after treatment, p ¼ 1). Overall, reductions in tinnitus-related distress in our study were less pronounced than those reported for more comprehensive treatments. However, the differences we observed between the low-and the high-pitch group show that tinnitus pitch might influence the outcome of acoustic stimulation treatments when devices with a limited frequency range are used.

Tinnitus affects 10% of the US general population and is a common indication for imaging studies. We describe a sequential compartment-based diagnostic approach, which simplifies the interpretation of imaging studies in patients with tinnitus. The choice of the initial imaging technique depends on the type of tinnitus, associated symptoms, and examination findings. Familiarity with the pathophysiologic mechanisms of tinnitus and the imaging findings is a prerequisite for a tailored diagnostic approach by the radiologist. ABBREVIATIONS AV ϭ arteriovenous; AVF ϭ arteriovenous fistula; AVM ϭ arteriovenous malformation; CPA ϭ cerebellopontine angle; DSA ϭ digital subtraction angiography; IAC ϭ internal auditory canal; ICA ϭ internal carotid artery; IIH ϭ idiopathic intracranial hypertension; MD ϭ Mé niè re disease; NSAIDs ϭ nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; PSA ϭ persistent stapedial artery; TMJ ϭ temporomandibular joint.

Purpose: The development of therapeutic interventions for chronic tinnitus requires sensitive and clinically responsive tools to measure treatment-induced changes in tinnitus loudness and annoyance. In this study, the authors evaluated the psychometric properties of patient-reported visual analog scales (VAS) for measuring subjectively perceived tinnitus loudness and annoyance. Method: The authors analyzed data from a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of acoustic coordinated reset (CR) neuromodulation in patients with chronic tinnitus (trial registration: "Randomized Evaluation of Sound Evoked Treatment of Tinnitus [RESET] study"; ClinicalTrials. gov identifier: NCT00927121) to assess the reliability, validity, and minimally clinically identifiable difference (MCID) of the VAS loudness and VAS annoyance. The VAS loudness and VAS annoyance were completed at screening, at baseline, and at 5 visits during the 16 weeks of the clinical study. Data were analyzed with respect to test-retest reliability, validity, and MCID. Results: VAS loudness and VAS annoyance showed good test-retest reliability of .8 and .79, respectively. In terms of convergent validity, VAS loudness and VAS annoyance correlated well with the tinnitus questionnaire at all clinical visits (max r = .67, p < .05). MCID estimates clustered between 10 and 15 points. Conclusion: VAS loudness and VAS annoyance are valid and effective measurements for capturing reductions in tinnitus severity in patients with chronic tinnitus.

Sulfuric acid based Sn-Ag plating baths were developed to study the individual as well as synergistic effects of thiourea (TU) and gelatin on the characteristics of Sn-Ag deposits. Electrochemical behavior of each bath was investigated by cathodic polarization studies. Results showed that the deposition potential gap of both elements was reduced by both additives, hence allowing co-deposition of Sn-Ag to occur. In this study, TU increases Ag composition and changes deposits microstructure. Low content of gelatin inhibits Ag deposition but high content of gelatin results in enhanced Ag deposition. Microstructure of deposits has been improved by the synergistic effects of these two additives. Near-eutectic composition of Sn-4.0 wt.% Ag is achieved with the aid of 2g/L of TU and 1g/L of gelatin at a current density of 10mA cm -2.

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