Oto app

Oto app

  • This app helps with individuals with tinnitus who prefer a psychological approach and sound therapy, who are happy to take time to work through the programmes.
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Oto app By Oto Health Ltd

Features

  • Goal setting – select 1 or multiple from pre-set list of 4.
  • Tracking – habituation program with 5 modules, each broken down into daily tasks.
  • Reminders – optional daily reminders.
  • Sounds – list of sounds to play.
Country of origin United Kingdom
Clinical review 

4.5 star review


Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy Does the app:
  • Collect medical information? No
  • Require a login? No
  • Have password protection? No
  • Have a privacy policy? Yes
  • Require internet access to use? Yes

Read more about safety and security when using apps.

Brochures:
Tips to improve your privacy and security [PNG, 200 KB] Health Navigator Charitable Trust, NZ
Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost Free initially – you can sign up for free.

Annual or monthly fee (an annual subscription has a comparable cost to other similar apps, but if you pay monthly this works out to be quite expensive)
Advertisements This app contains no ads.
How to get the app

This app uses CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), mindfulness, relaxation, physical stretches and exercise, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), visualisation, sleep assistance, and sound therapy. The user works through a guided programme with short talks of 2–6 minutes.

For the complete app description, go to the app website(external link), Google Play(external link), App Store(external link) or, for a more detailed review, see revies below.


PROS CONS 

✔ App has online version.

✔ Partners with the British Tinnitus Association.

✔ Apple app store shows users rated the app 4.7/5, and google play store users rated the app 4.2/5, suggesting iPhones working better than android.

✔ CBT based (research shows it's helpful for tinnitus).

✔ Developed by doctors.

✔ Good range of research based and proven psychological approaches to help with tinnitus.

✔ Sound therapy as well.

✘ Based in the UK so online chat is not available during NZ time.

✘ You can’t make changes to the masking sounds or adapt the programmes to tailor to the user.

✘ While the annual membership is good value for how comprehensive the app is, the pay-monthly option is quite expensive.

Clinical review

4.5 star review



Reviewer: Tania Linford MNZAS. Senior Clinical Audiologist. Owner and operator of Tinnitus Relief Limited.
Date of review: March 2023
Platform: Apple
Version: 4.3.432
Comments: The app works at strengthening the individual’s self-awareness, and tolerance to tinnitus, through CBT, visualisations, breath focus, grounding, and other psychological approaches to calming the mind and distress. It looks like a good app that has received very positive feedback from its users, it is user-friendly and has a good range of sounds and research led approaches to helping with tinnitus, however the monthly charge is quite expensive, and doesn’t allow the user to tailor sounds or programmes to their preferences. Good idea and foundation, user-friendly, using psychological and sound therapy approaches, but at the moment it doesn’t look like you can personalise/tailor it. 
Safety concerns: No. However, as the app recommends, the app is to be used in conjunction with help from medical professionals.
New Zealand relevance: Yes. Online coaches in ‘chat’ function on the website is not available during NZ times due to the time difference to the UK with a message showing they’ll be back online later. No email address given. Only available in English.

Consumer guide: how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide: how to choose a health app
New Zealand-based apps
Tinnitus apps
Security and privacy of health apps

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

Read more at: https://healthify.nz/apps/o/oto-app/
Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust