We read with interest regarding research led by Newcastle University that has revealed a promising new sound-based therapy that could help reduce the perceived loudness of tinnitus (a ringing, buzzing, humming or hissing sound in the ears). Unlike established approaches that focus on supporting patients to manage their symptoms, this new method aims to target the underlying brain activity linked with tinnitus itself. You can read the full report HERE.
Tinnitus on Trial
In the trial, 77 participants with chronic tinnitus listened daily for one hour over six weeks to specifically modified sounds, subtle changes in volume and frequency designed to disrupt synchronised firing patterns in the auditory regions of the brain believed to contribute to the tinnitus percept. The study compared this ‘active’ sound therapy with a placebo sound condition, and found that, on average, people experienced around a 10 per cent reduction in tinnitus loudness after the treatment phase. This may not seem like alot but, importantly, this quieter perception persisted for around three weeks after the therapy had stopped.
A particularly appealing aspect of the therapy is its potential accessibility. Because the sounds can be delivered digitally, there’s hope it could one day be available via everyday listening devices. Researchers are exploring ways to integrate the method into familiar content such as music and podcasts.
Although the average benefit observed in this initial study was modest and not everyone experienced a strong effect, there were participants who reported larger improvements, and none of the placebo sounds delivered the same result. Further research and larger clinical trials will be needed to refine the therapy, improve its effectiveness and fully understand who it benefits most.
For people living with tinnitus, these early findings offer a hopeful step towards treatments that go beyond coping strategies and may one day reduce the sound itself. We’ll be watching for updates.
We’re here to help now
If you’re struggling with Tinnitus, we are here to help. To find out more, please take a look at the Tinnitus pages on our website HERE or get in touch. We’ll be happy to help you, to explain more about tinnitus and how we have helped many people to manage the condition.
Read the full article as it first appeared on the BBC here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4xr19r9e2o