Reverse Correlation Uncovers More Complete Tinnitus Spectra

Goal: This study validates an approach to characterizing the sounds experienced by tinnitus patients via reverse correlation, with potential for characterizing a wider range of sounds than currently possible. Methods: Ten normal-hearing subjects assessed the subjective similarity of random auditory stimuli and target tinnitus-like sounds ("buzzing" and "roaring"). Reconstructions of the targets were obtained by regressing subject responses on the stimuli, and were compared for accuracy to the frequency spectra of the targets using Pearson's r. Results: Reconstruction accuracy was significantly higher than chance across subjects: buzzing: 0.52 +/- 0.27 (mean +/- s.d.), t(9) = 5.766, p < 0.001; roaring: 0.62 +/- 0.23, t(9) = 5.76, p < 0.001; combined: 0.57 +/- 0.25, t(19) = 7.542, p < 0.001. Conclusion: Reverse correlation can accurately reconstruct non-tonal tinnitus-like sounds in normal-hearing subjects, indicating its potential for characterizing the sounds experienced by patients with non-tonal tinnitus.