Ringing in the ear—otherwise known as tinnitus—can be a highly annoying condition to live with. Buzzing, ringing, or humming is constantly heard, which can make hearing other sounds difficult. Unfortunately, until now, sufferers of tinnitus have experienced little to no relief through conventional treatments, but this may soon change with the development of a new device.
The experimental device uses precisely timed sound and skin stimulation to target nerve activity in the brain. When tested on lab animals, it was proven to be successful.
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Lead researcher Susan Shore explained, “Animal studies have identified specific nerve cells in the brain, called fusiform cells, that signal phantom sounds to the rest of the brain.”
When you have tinnitus, your fusiform cells are always active, creating the ringing sound. “These signals are transmitted to the auditory part of the brain and are interpreted as sound when there is no sound stimulus,” Shore added.
Roughly 15 percent of Americans live with tinnitus with about two million of them being unable to work or perform daily tasks, as their tinnitus is too severe.
The new study revealed that fusiform cells activity could be tamed through sounds and mild electrical stimulation using an at-home device of electrodes and earphones.
Patients used the device for 30 minutes a day over the course of four weeks. After one week, the volume of tinnitus returned, but the quality of life improvements lasted for weeks. Those using a placebo device did not experience any improvements to tinnitus or quality of life.
Shore explained, “We don’t know at this point whether they will need to continue to use it every day, or if they will just need to do it once a week or so. This will have to be determined.”
Current treatments for tinnitus include cognitive behavioral therapy, sound therapy, and in more severe cases, invasive brain stimulation.
The new device, known as stimulus timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), aims to correct the nerve malfunction that is at the root of tinnitus.
Participants used in the study were chosen based on the ability to curb their tinnitus by clenching their jaws, sticking out their tongues, or turning or flexing their necks, as they seem to be most responsive to this combination therapy.
Dr. Harrison Lin, not involved in the study, added, “This report of a non-invasive, well-tolerated method of reducing the volume of tinnitus for people suffering from bothersome and intolerable tinnitus is incredibly important. This approach will hopefully mature into new, safe and effective treatment options, which are currently sorely lacking.”
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Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
