Tinnitus is a condition that affects up to 15% of adults in the United States, causing a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound of silence. While the severity of the condition varies, approximately 40% of patients experience chronic symptoms and actively seek relief. However, a recent study by researchers at the Kresge Hearing Research Institute at the University of Michigan suggests that relief is possible. The study focused on how the brain processes bisensory information and how these processes can be harnessed for a personalized stimulation to treat tinnitus.
Study Methodology and Findings
The study was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial that enrolled 99 people with somatic tinnitus, a form of the condition in which movements such as clenching the jaw or applying pressure to the forehead result in a noticeable change in pitch or loudness. The participants were divided into two groups, with one group receiving a bisensory or active treatment and the other receiving a control or sound-only treatment. The participants were instructed to use the wearable devices for 30 minutes each day for six weeks, followed by a six-week break from daily use and a further six weeks of treatment.
After each week, the participants completed questionnaires to measure the impact of tinnitus on their lives and had their tinnitus loudness assessed. The study found that when participants received the bisensory treatment, they consistently reported improved quality of life, lower disability scores, and significant reductions in tinnitus loudness. However, these effects were not observed when receiving sound-only stimulation. Additionally, more than 60% of participants reported a significant reduction in tinnitus symptoms after six weeks of active treatment, but not control treatment.
Implications for Treatment
The study’s findings pave the way for the use of personalized bisensory stimulation as an effective treatment for tinnitus, offering hope to millions of sufferers. Auricle Inc., the exclusive licensee of bisensory stimulation-related patents, was launched to obtain regulatory clearance and commercialize Shore’s novel bi-sensory tinnitus treatment.
Additional Piece: Understanding Tinnitus and Its Effects
Tinnitus is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, causing a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound of silence. While many people experience occasional symptoms, approximately 40% of patients have chronic symptoms that significantly impair their quality of life. Tinnitus has a range of causes, including exposure to loud noises, head or neck injuries, and underlying health conditions. However, many people with tinnitus cannot pinpoint a specific cause, which can make it challenging to manage.
The effects of tinnitus can be far-reaching, impacting not only an individual’s hearing but also their emotional well-being, social interactions, and quality of life. Tinnitus can lead to anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances, as the constant noise can make it challenging to relax and focus on daily activities. Tinnitus can also affect an individual’s relationships, as they may struggle to communicate or participate in social activities due to the noise.
While there is no cure for tinnitus, there are many treatment options available, including sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication. Some people with tinnitus find relief from masking the noise with white noise machines or listening to calming music. Others find it helpful to reduce their stress levels, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy diet. However, the recent study by researchers at the Kresge Hearing Research Institute at the University of Michigan offers new hope for tinnitus sufferers, who previously had limited treatment options.
In conclusion, tinnitus is a complex condition that can have significant effects on an individual’s life. While there is no cure, there are many treatment options available, and tinnitus sufferers should consult with their doctor or audiologist to explore the best options for their needs. The recent study’s findings offer hope for the development of more effective treatments in the future.
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Tinnitus, the ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound of silence, ranges from mildly annoying in some to completely debilitating in others. Up to 15% of adults in the United States have tinnitus, where almost 40% of patients have the condition chronically and actively seek relief.
A recent study by researchers at the Kresge Hearing Research Institute at the University of Michigan suggests that relief is possible.
Susan Shore, Ph.D., professor emeritus in Michigan Medicine’s Department of Otolaryngology and the UM Departments of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, led research on how the brain processes bisensory information and how these processes can be harnessed for a personalized stimulation to treat tinnitus. .
His team’s findings were published in JAMA Open Network.
The study, a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, enrolled 99 people with somatic tinnitus, a form of the condition in which movements such as clenching the jaw or applying pressure to the forehead result in a noticeable change in pitch or loudness. of experienced sounds. Nearly 70% of tinnitus sufferers have the somatic form.
According to Shore, candidates with bothersome somatic tinnitus, as well as normal to moderate hearing loss, were eligible to participate.
“After enrollment, participants received a wearable device developed and manufactured by in2 being, LLC, for home use,” he said. “The devices were programmed to present each participant’s personal tinnitus spectrum, which was combined with electrical stimulation to form a bisensory stimulus, while blinding the study team and participants was maintained.”
Study participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first group received a bisensory or active treatment first, while the second received a control or sound-only treatment.
For the first six weeks, the participants were instructed to use their devices for 30 minutes each day. The following six weeks gave participants a break from daily use, followed by a further six weeks of treatment. Not Received at the beginning of the study.
Shore notes that each week, participants completed the Tinnitus Functional Index, or TFI, and the Tinnitus Disability Inventory, or THI, which are questionnaires that measure the impact tinnitus has on people’s lives. Participants also had their tinnitus loudness assessed during this time.
The team found that when participants received the bisensory treatment, they consistently reported improved quality of life, lower disability scores, and significant reductions in tinnitus loudness. However, these effects were not observed when receiving sound-only stimulation.
Additionally, more than 60% of participants reported a significant reduction in tinnitus symptoms after six weeks of active treatment, but not control treatment. This is consistent with an earlier study by Shore’s team, which showed that the longer participants received active treatment, the greater the reduction in tinnitus symptoms.
“This study paves the way for the use of personalized bisensory stimulation as an effective treatment for tinnitus, bringing hope to millions of tinnitus sufferers,” Shore said.
Auricle Inc., the exclusive licensee of bisensory stimulation-related patents, was launched with the help of Innovation Partnerships, the backbone of research commercialization activity at the University of Michigan. Auricle will work to obtain regulatory clearance and then commercialize Shore’s novel bi-sensory tinnitus treatment.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230605181219.htm
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