Comments on Tao et al. (2017), “Multiple-Frequency Matching Treatment Strategy for Tinnitus”

“Multiple-frequency matching treatment strategy for tinnitus” by Tao et al. [1] provides pilot study outcomes for a sound-based tinnitus therapy and was published recently in the Journal of International Advanced Otology. It is recommended by guidelines such as the consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement [2] endorsed by this journal, that research be reported in a manner that supports transparency and future reproducibility. Accordingly, our reading of this publication revealed several fundamental methodological issues and factual errors. Our concerns regard potentially inaccurate study conclusions, likely the result of unclear study rational and methodology reporting.