Therapy can help people afflicted with the distressing sounds of tinnitus, a condition characterized by a constant buzzing or whistling sound in the ears. ears.
Approximately 10% of the US population is affected by this disease, which can have negative effects on quality of life. However, a ray of hope has emerged in the form of a combined treatment using sound and electrical stimulation.
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A key contributing factor to tinnitus is excessive activity of the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) in the brainstem. This region processes auditory signals along with other sensory information, suggesting that tinnitus is not just a disturbance of the senses. auditory system of the brain.
Approximately 80% of people with tinnitus experience the somatic form, in which the disturbing noises are generated or altered by head or neck movements.
The treatment
In a recent clinical trial led by Susan Shore and her team at the University of Michigan, an innovative therapy was employed to significantly alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus.
This new procedure offers hope for all patients, according to tinnitus, Berthold Langguth of the University of Regensburg, Germany, who was not involved in the study.
The researchers developed a “bisensory” treatment consisting of a headset earphone and two external electrodes.
By providing a combination of acoustic and electrical stimuli, the treatment aimed to reduce activity in the DCN. The level of stimulation has been customized for each individual's specific tinnitus.
The study involved 99 participants with somatic tinnitus, who received a prototype device for home treatment during the study.
test stage
During the first phase of the study, participants in the experimental group underwent the procedure for 30 minutes a day, over six weeks.
The control group also used the electrodes, but only received acoustic treatment, without electrical impulses. To ensure the reliability of the results, the participants did not know which group they belonged to.
At the end of the initial phase, the group experienced a significant reduction in tinnitus, and the treatment provided significant clinical benefits.
On average, perceived tinnitus intensity was halved after the first phase, and this improvement continued even during the six-week break in treatment.
Positive effects persisted for up to 36 weeks. Langguth found the procedure highly promising. Now, Susan Shore intends to speed up the approval process for the new therapy to launch it on the market as quickly as possible.
