Download Phonak Tinnitus Balance Portfolio

Phonak Tinnitus Balance
Portfolio
Product information
The Phonak Tinnitus Balance Portfolio offers solutions that cover a range of popular tinnitus
management philosophies. A noise generator available in Audéo V and enabled in Phonak
Target™ can be used as part of your Tinnitus Retraining Therapy or Tinnitus Masking program,
and the Tinnitus Balance smartphone app can form part of your Progressive Tinnitus
Management program.
For more information visit www.phonakpro.com
Overview
Tinnitus, defined as the perception of sound in the absence of an external sound source, affects 10-15% of the adult
population1. In many cases tinnitus is due to heightened awareness of spontaneous electrical activity in the auditory system
that is normally not perceived. The link between tinnitus and hearing loss is strong; 4 in 5 of those who report tinnitus also
experience hearing loss.2
The goal of tinnitus management is to make the symptoms less intrusive and less distressing. Current philosophies include a
combination of education/counseling, amplification and sound enrichment. The purpose of sound enrichment is to provide
supplementary noise (often broadband sound) to help focus the client’s attention away from their tinnitus.
The Phonak Tinnitus Balance Portfolio includes specific solutions to support three common tinnitus management philosophies:
Tinnitus Masking3
Introduced in the 1970’s by Jack Vernon, PhD, broadband sound is
utilized in addition to amplification to provide a sense of relief from
tension or stress caused by tinnitus. Counseling is considered
secondary in this approach.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)4
Developed in the 1990’s by Pawel Jastreboff, PhD, TRT is a form of
habituation therapy. A combination of counseling and sound
enrichment such as a noise generator is used to help people change
their negative reaction to their tinnitus.
Progressive Tinnitus Management (PTM)5
Introduced by James Henry, PhD, from the United States Department
of Veterans Affairs in 2000. PTM is a highly-structured, patientcentered approach to tinnitus management. Similar to other sound
enrichment approaches, it uses both sound therapy and counseling
but is flexible regarding the types of sounds that can be used.
Patients develop their own sound plan consisting of three sound
types chosen for their individual emotional effect.
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Audéo V
Tinnitus Balance
noise generator
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Audéo V
Tinnitus Balance
noise generator
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Audéo V
Tinnitus Balance
App
Phonak Audéo V
For many clients, amplification is an effective first step in managing their tinnitus. Phonak Audéo V with proven performance
and appealing cosmetics is an ideal choice for first time users. And if more than amplification is desired, the noise generator
can be enabled. Phonak Audéo V is available in four models and four performance levels (90, 70, 50 and 30).
Phonak Audéo V-10
V90/V70/V50/V30
Phonak Audéo V-312
V90/V70/V50/V30
Phonak Audéo V-312T
V90/V70/V50/V30
Phonak Audéo V-13
V90/V70/V50/V30
Phonak Tinnitus Balance noise generator
The Tinnitus Balance noise generator is available in all four performance levels of Phonak Audéo V hearing aids. The noise
provides a means of sound enrichment that can be used as part of a tinnitus management program.
The spectral characteristics of the noise can be adjusted to meet each client’s specific needs. The default characteristics are
calculated based on the client’s audiogram; alternatively, white or pink noise can be selected. The noise generator can be
incorporated into the automatic program or as an additional manual program.
Using Phonak Target™, the hearing care professional is able to:
•Adjust spectral characteristics such as bandwidth and volume level of the noise
•Select in which program(s) (automatic or manual) the noise generator is enabled
•Create a noise-only program
Audéo V 10, 312 and 312T hearing aids offer access to manual programs plus volume control changes of either gain or noise
generator via the onboard push button. Audéo V 13 hearing aids have both a push button and volume control for easy
control of hearing aid functionality. Remote control options (PilotOne II and Phonak Remote Control App) are available for
all Audéo V hearing aids.
The Tinnitus Balance noise generator provides a means of sound enrichment that can be used as part of a tinnitus management
program to provide temporary relief from tinnitus. The noise generator should be fit by a qualified hearing care professional
(audiologist, hearing aid specialist, otolaryngologist) familiar with the diagnosis and management of tinnitus.
Phonak Tinnitus Balance App
The Phonak Tinnitus Balance App enables clients to manage their Progressive Tinnitus Management sound plan. Clients chose
sounds that have a specific emotional effect on them which in turn helps manage their tinnitus. Sounds can be selected from
the client’s personal smartphone music library, or from the list of default sounds within the app. The client can rate the
effectiveness of each sound, and the overall ratings can then be reviewed together with their hearing care professional to
optimize their sound plan. A timer option is available for use when listening to sounds to help going to sleep..
Use of the app is intended to be part of a tinnitus management program provided by a qualified hearing care professional
familiar with the diagnosis and management of tinnitus.
Supported smartphone operating systems
•Apple iOS 6 * or higher
•Android 2.2 or higher **
Required digital wireless accessory for streaming sound to the
hearing aids
•Phonak ComPilot II
•Phonak ComPilot Air II
*Apple® registered Trademark by Apple Inc, USA
**Android® registered Trademark by Google Inc, USA
Additional information and resources
Pre-existing medical conditions
Prior to using any noise generator, a qualified physician should check the client for the following conditions:
• visible congenital or traumatic deformity of the ear
• active drainage from the ear within the past 90 days
• sudden hearing loss within the past 90 days
• acute or chronic dizziness
• unilateral hearing loss of sudden or recent onset within the past 90 days
• pain or discomfort in the ear
These are medically treatable conditions known to cause tinnitus and should be addressed prior to any form of tinnitus
management.
Noise exposure controls
According to global workplace health and safety guidelines6, it is possible for the maximum output of the Tinnitus Balance
noise generator to be set to a level that could lead to permanent hearing loss. For settings above 80 dB(A), the Phonak Target™
fitting software indicates the recommended maximum number of hours the noise generator should be used per day to remain
within the safety guidelines. The maximum limit is 85 dB(A), which allows a daily exposure of up to 8 hours. In the case where
the client can increase the noise generator volume, the hearing aid ensures this maximum limit is never exceeded. The noise
generator should never be used at uncomfortable levels.
For more information about tinnitus, please refer to the following websites:
Tinnitus
•www.phonakpro.com/tinnitus
•www.ata.org/
•www.tinnitus.org.uk
•www.mayoclinic.com/health/tinnitus/DS00365
TRT
•www.tinnitus-pjj.com
PTM
•www.ncrar.research.va.gov/education/documents/tinnitusdocuments/index.asp
References
1. Seidman M., Standring R., Dornhoffer J. (2010). Tinnitus: current understanding and contemporary management. Annals of Otology, Rhinoloy and Laryngology, 18 (5), 363-368.
2. Axelsson A., Ringdahl A. (1989). Tinnitus: a study of its prevalence and characteristics. Br J Audiol, 23:53-62.
3. Vernon, J., et al. (1978). Tinnitus: A new management. Laryngoscope, 88, 413-419.
4. Jastreboff, P.J., et al. (2004). Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: Implementing the neurophysiological model. New York: Cambridge University Press.
5. Henry, J.A., et al. (2008). Using theraputic sound with progressive audiologic tinnitus management. Trends in Amplification, 12, 185-206.
6. OSHA - Occupational Safety & Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor.
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