TRENDS IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF MOBILE APPLICATIONS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF TINNITUS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE

Abstract

IntroductionTinnitus is a condition that requires multidisciplinary care and monitoring. Widespread use of mobile devices and ready access to the internet offers a possible solution since smartphones can run apps programmed for a particular health problem. The aim of the article is to assess the scale and direction of how mobile apps are being created and used to diagnose and treat tinnitus.Material and methodsPublications in Google Scholar, PubMed, and ResearchGate were searched for the years 2010–2023. The results of the review were organized by themes.ResultsHits were organized into the following themes: (1) existing mobile apps for tinnitus, (2) apps supporting the diagnosis of tinnitus, (3) apps supporting tinnitus therapy, (4) a look to the future – sensors built-in or connected to mobile devices, wearables, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data systems.ConclusionsSmartphone-based apps with ecological momentary assessment methods and the possibilities of using wearable diagnostic devices might be useful in better understanding the variability of tinnitus and perhaps its causes. Mobile crowdsensing and central databases with big data and artificial intelligence support appear to be a valuable resource for new scientific research. There are now mobile apps providing a variety of therapies – sound therapy, self-help psychology, and educational training. Equally important for tinnitus therapy are smart devices managed by mobile apps – hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other hearables. In the future, development of mobile technologies and artificial intelligence will help create smart therapy platforms for tinnitus.