Application of auditory mismatch negativity in tinnitus patients based on high-resolution electroencephalogram signals

Abstract

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of mismatch negativity (MMN) by comparing high-resolution electroencephalogram signals from tinnitus patients and healthy controls. Methods The study included eight subjects with chronic subjective idiopathic tinnitus and seven healthy controls. Participants with clinical speech (512–2,000 Hz) hearing thresholds less than 25 dB HL and with negative Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores were included in the study. The E-Prime 2.0 software and a 256-electrode EGI Net Station system were used to evoke and record the MMN signal, and the amplitude and latency parameters of the MMN responses were compared between the two groups. Results From 150 ms, there was a significant difference between the amplitude of standard stimulation and deviation stimulation, and the event-related potential amplitude under deviation stimulation in the tinnitus patient group was significantly different from that in the healthy group. The MMN amplitude of the FCz electrode was statistically significantly lower in the tinnitus patients compared to healthy controls. Conclusion MMN has application value in the evaluation of abnormal electrical activity in the auditory pathway, and electroencephalograms are feasible for follow-up monitoring after acoustic therapy.