Tinnitus

This multicenter, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for patients with subjective idiopathic tinnitus. A total of 226 eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or sham acupuncture. Both groups will receive treatment for 5 weeks. The primary outcome is the change in Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score from baseline to Week 5. Secondary outcomes include tinnitus loudness, tinnitus severity, sleep quality, anxiety, depression, audiological assessments, and adverse events. Exploratory neuroimaging outcomes include functional magnetic resonance imaging and magnetoencephalography measures.

Many people with migraine also experience tinnitus - a persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears - and research suggests these conditions share underlying biological mechanisms, including a protein called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) that is active in both the brain and the inner ear. COMPACT-PM is a randomized trial comparing two classes of migraine preventive medications in adults with bothersome tinnitus and a history of migraine: anti-CGRP therapies (newer injectable or oral agents that block CGRP or its receptor) versus conventional migraine preventives (antidepressants including amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and venlafaxine; antihypertensives including propranolol, verapamil, and candesartan; and the anticonvulsant topiramate). Participants are randomly assigned - like a coin flip - to one of the two treatment groups; neither group receives a placebo, as both receive active migraine treatment. The study's primary outcome is change in the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) over 24 weeks, with additional measures including hearing tests, balance assessments, auditory brainstem response testing, and a comprehensive symptom diary. The study is conducted at the Stanford Ear Institute and is funded by a philanthropic gift to the Department of Otolaryngology - Head \& Neck Surgery at Stanford University.

This is a prospective, intervention-based, non-randomized, pre-post, single-site feasibility study that will involve data collection from individuals with intractable tinnitus. The study comprises a screening under local anesthesia and a surgery to implant the medical device. The screening will allow for accurate selection of patients. For patients not fulfilling the criteria for chronic extracochlear stimulation, the study will stop there. Patients eligible for chronic stimulation will undergo a second surgery under general anaesthesia involving the implantation of a cochlear implant with an electrode placed outside the cochlea in the vicinity of the round window. Each surgical procedure will be followed by a series of medical check-ups. Following implantation, the safety and efficiency of extracochlear chronic stimulation will be evaluated as well as the tinnitus suppression and speech perception.

This clinical trial aims to assess the efficacy of manual acupuncture for patients with acute primary tinnitus.

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, affects 10% to 30% of the population. Of those, 20% have tinnitus bothersome enough to seek medical attention. In many people, tinnitus can significantly affect the quality of life. At this point in time, there is no effective treatment or cure available for tinnitus. It has been found that electrical stimulation of the inner ear can reduce and in some cases eliminate tinnitus. The purpose of this research is to investigate both acoustic and electrical stimulation of the inner ear as a possible treatment of tinnitus. In both acoustic and electrical testing conditions, the subjects will be instructed to be familiar with a 0-10 ranking scale of loudness. In acoustic testing, the stimulus will be presented through headphones in a noiseless environment, and the subject will be asked to report on the loudness of the presented sound and the level of the tinnitus at 20-second intervals. If the subject cannot perceive the presence of the tinnitus, a value of zero will be assigned. A typical sound will be presented for 3 to 6 minutes. Loudness will be reported for 1 to 4 minutes after stimulus offset to measure the presence and duration of residual inhibition. Electrical stimulation will be delivered to the inner ear in three ways, 1. using a cochlear implant (implant placed in the inner ear to replace hearing function), 2. Using an electrode placed in the ear canal, and 3. using a small needle inserted through the ear drum. Various electrical signals will be used to evaluate the reduction in the tinnitus perception by the subject. The subjects will rate the loudness of the tinnitus before, during, and after the electrical signal. Surveys will be used to evaluate the tinnitus loudness and the quality of life of the subjects. Hearing tests will be used before and after the procedures. The long term goal of this research is to develop a device to treat tinnitus in people who can hear and to develop programs for cochlear implants that help treat tinnitus in deaf people.

This study will test an experimental Tinnitus Implant System that consists of a cochlear implant, sound processor and programming software. The Tinnitus implant is surgically placed under the skin just behind the ear in the mastoid bone. It has an electrode that extends from the implant into the promontory bone of the cochlea which emits electrical signals that stimulate the auditory nerve. The sound processor is worn behind the ear and powers the implant via the coil. The study will be conducted in adults with moderate to severe chronic tinnitus who have normal hearing to moderately severe hearing loss in the inner ear. The study participants will undergo a series of tests that include evaluations of tinnitus loudness and annoyance, and self-reported questionnaires on their tinnitus and general health.

Treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) often includes cisplatin chemotherapy and radiation. This treatment causes hearing loss and trouble swallowing in 70% of patients. If untreated, these symptoms increase stress and lower quality of life for survivors. Veterans with HNC usually get help for swallowing. However, damage to the hearing and balance systems-known as ototoxicity-is often missed or only addressed when it becomes very severe. To fill this gap, the investigators plan a clinical trial at two VA sites. The investigators compare the usual swallowing therapy alone to a new, more comprehensive program. This new program includes: 1. the standard swallowing therapy, 2. proactive management to protect hearing and balance or manage problems that can't be prevented, and 3. other rehabilitation services based on a tele-oncology nurse's assessment. The hearing and balance intervention features quick screening tests and validated questionnaires to identify early signs of damage. These are given during cancer or radiation treatment visits to maximize convenience for the patient. Audiologists review these results remotely using tele-health technology. The investigators will also use new tools to predict and spot hearing problems that are personalized for each patient. The audiologist works closely with the patient and the care team to arrange further help if needed. The tele-oncology nurse checks for other rehabilitation needs using a screening tool validated in Veterans, shares this information with the team, and advises patients about recommended care. The investigators expect the results to show that managing hearing loss with swallowing therapy while improving care coordination for rehabilitation reduces survivors' stress and improves well-being compared to swallowing therapy alone.

Hearing loss affects approximately 11 million people in the UK, while tinnitus impacts around 7 million. Both conditions can significantly reduce quality of life and are linked to poorer mental health and employment challenges. Each year, tinnitus alone accounts for more than one million GP appointments, and patients referred to hospital ear, nose and throat (ENT) services often face long delays, sometimes exceeding a year, before their first assessment. To address this demand, the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has developed a virtual ENT clinic. Patients undergo a validated hearing test in person and complete online questionnaires. Clinicians then review these data to determine next steps, which may include discharge with advice, referral for imaging, or a face-to-face consultation. Initial trials demonstrated that the majority of patients could be managed virtually, substantially reducing waiting times. However, clinicians must still review every case, limiting capacity for patients who require direct care. This project builds on the virtual clinic by introducing artificial intelligence (AI) to support the assessment process. Using explainable AI methods, the system will be trained to replicate clinician-level decision-making while providing transparent reasoning for its recommendations. The study will evaluate how closely AI-generated outcomes align with clinician assessments, with all cases continuing to receive a clinician's final review. Clinicians will not be aware of the recommendations produced by the AI tool, but the study aims to measure how concordant AI recommendations are with clinician assessments. If the AI tool's clinical recommendations closely align with clinician recommendations (the gold standard for care), the AI tool could be introduced as a clinical recommendation assistant tool, streamlining the triage and management of hearing loss and tinnitus, enabling clinicians to focus on complex cases, accelerating access to care, and improving efficiency.

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a conversational artificial intelligence-based digital intervention can improve symptoms in adults with chronic subjective tinnitus. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the Fudan Tinnitus Doctor (FTD) system reduce tinnitus severity as measured by the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Does the FTD system improve sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and overall patient-reported outcomes. Researchers will compare the FTD system to a non-conversational digital education program to determine whether the AI-based intervention provides greater clinical benefits. Participants will: Use either the FTD conversational AI system or a static digital education program for 30 days. Complete standardized questionnaires assessing tinnitus severity, sleep, mood, and overall improvement at baseline, Day 14, and Day 30. Engage with the digital platform for tinnitus self-management.

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on treating emerging indications (i.e., conditions that have shown to potentially benefit from HBOT) using the Multicenter Registry for Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment. The study team aims to collect ongoing data on how well HBOT treats these emerging indications, and to add these data to the growing HBO Registry. The research team hypothesizes that HBOT will result in improvements of the condition of the various emerging indications.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if acupuncture works to treat chronic tinnitus in adults. It will also learn about the neurophysiological effects of acupuncture on auditory conduction pathway function. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does acupuncture lower tinnitus-related disability and severity, as measured by the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and Tinnitus Effects Questionnaire (TEQ)? What changes in auditory brainstem response (ABR) parameters-such as wave I amplitude and wave V latency-occur after acupuncture treatment, and do these changes correlate with clinical improvement? Researchers will compare ABR parameters and clinical outcomes between chronic tinnitus patients and age- and sex-matched healthy controls to characterize tinnitus-related abnormalities. Additionally, the study will evaluate changes within the patient group before and after a 10-session acupuncture course to assess treatment efficacy and explore its neurophysiological mechanisms.

This study tests whether pairing non-invasive stimulation of the greater occipital nerve (NITESGON) with an attentionally demanding auditory frequency discrimination training task reduces tinnitus loudness and tinnitus-related distress. One hundred adults with chronic tonal tinnitus will be randomised to one of four groups in a 2×2 factorial design: real versus sham NITESGON and active versus passive listening during auditory stimulation. Participants complete eight sessions across four weeks, with outcomes assessed at baseline, end of treatment, 28 days post-treatment, and 6 months post-treatment.

This study investigated the effect of mild gain amplification (8dB covering 1 Hz to 8kHz) as tinnitus treatment for participants with normal hearing and compared these effects with an active placebo condition using hearing aids without amplification in a double-blinded crossover study. 12 participants with normal hearing and chronic tinnitus were included in the study. Two different hearing aid treatments were provided for 3 weeks each: mild gain amplification that provided 8dB gain in the frequency range from 1 Hz to 8 kHz and no amplification, acting as placebo. The effect of the two treatments on tinnitus distress was evaluated with the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) questionnaire. The effect of the treatment on tinnitus loudness and annoyance were evaluated with a visual analog scale (VAS).

A randomized, single-blind, controlled trial to evaluate the effects of neural therapy on tinnitus severity, disability, and quality of life in patients with tinnitus. The study is planned to be conducted between December 2025 and March 2026. The sample size is 30 patients. The number of centers is 1. The study duration is 3 months.

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and subjective tinnitus at both morphological and functional levels. Current literature suggests that somatosensory inputs from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and masticatory muscles can modulate auditory pathways, a phenomenon known as Somatosensory Tinnitus. However, the specific role of TMJ bone morphology and critical neighboring structures, such as the Petrotympanic Fissure (PTF), in this interaction remains unclear. In this clinical study, patients with tinnitus will undergo a comprehensive evaluation including Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) to quantitatively analyze condylar morphology and osteoarthritic changes. Additionally, audiological tests will be performed to assess the functional state of the auditory system. This multidisciplinary approach aims to clarify the biological link between TMD and tinnitus, potentially improving diagnostic protocols and highlighting the importance of TMJ stabilization in tinnitus management.

This study is testing whether a special type of brain stimulation called neuronavigated TMS can help reduce tinnitus (ringing in the ears). 50 people with tinnitus will each receive 20 treatment sessions - 10 real treatments and 10 sham treatments in random order, with a 2-week break between them. Before starting, participants get an MRI brain scan to guide where the stimulation device is placed. Questionnaires of measuring tinnitus severity will be asked four times throughout the study to determine to check the effect of TMS on treating tinnitus.

Tinnitus - the awareness of sound without any outside source - affects around 15% of people and can cause anxiety and depression. Treatment options are limited and do not address tinnitus directly (e.g., reduce its loudness). To do that, we must change brain activity causing tinnitus. Low-dose electrical stimulation, using a technique called transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), is a promising approach. The technique is safe and easy to administer. Several small studies have tested tDCS for tinnitus showing some benefits. To assess whether these benefits will generalise to other patients, we need to conduct a randomised controlled trial - a large, rigorously controlled experiment based on prior agreed procedures. Clinical trials are expensive and time-consuming to run and thus require meticulous pilot work to establish the most effective treatment regimens and the most sensitive measures of treatment outcome. The current study aims to provide such pilot information for a clinical trial of tDCS treatment of tinnitus. Using a total of 40 patients, we will establish how to best to administer tDCS and measure resulting changes in tinnitus perception and associated brain activity. The current study is a crucial first step towards determining whether or not tDCS can effectively treat tinnitus.

Tinnitus can have different causes. From a peripheral point of view, the sensation of hearing a not present sound can be indicative of damage in the cells of the cochlea. Damage at this level can arise from traumatic, vascular, toxic origins or be caused by systemic pathologies. However, all the previous causes have a common denominator, the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS), in the cochlea which determines the damage and the consequent death of the hair cells into the ear. The sound (tinnitus) that the patient perceives is generated by the spontaneous movement of the cilia of the hair cells; this phenomenon arises when these cells begin to be damaged. Tinnitus can be also caused by a retrocochlear disorder such as damage of the auditory nerve (inflammatory and tumor cause). In case of an inflammatory origin, the factors released during inflammation can locally damage the nerves and spread into the cochlea destroying the hair cells. Tinnitus can also originate from damage in the central auditory pathway. In this case, the problem persistent. It is important to keep in mind that although initially the tinnitus may originate from a damage inside the cochlea, after 6 months of persistence chronicizes causing an activation (without stimulus) of the upper auditory areas. This zone of "hypersensitivity" is therefore responsible for chronic tinnitus. In addition to the overmentioned medical causes, tinnitus can also be sign of psychiatric/psychological disorders, in those cases in whom there is an involvement of the hypothalamus, as showed by neuropsychological studies. Tinnitus can be temporary and disappear spontaneously or, in the most of cases, be persistent and extremely annoying/stressful for the patient. At night in particular, in the absence of noise, the patient suffers more the presence of this ghost sound, which in some occasions prevents sleep. Insomnia negatively impacts on tinnitus increasing its duration and intensity, thus establishing a perpetual cycle of stress into the brain. The latter phenomenon worses and chronicizes the symptom . Stress causes inflammation with ROS increase, which can affect both the peripheral and central auditory pathways. Recently, it has been shown that tinnitus can be a symptom of neuro-inflammatory pathologies such as, for example, Multiple Sclerosis. The effects of inflammation on the hair cells are identifiable only through electrophysiological studies or from the temporal bone. Keeping on mind inflammation and neuro-inflammation and considering the exchange between cerebrospinal fluid and perilymph , we speculate that the use of a molecule capable of reducing inflammation and modulating the action of mast cells and microglia, could be an effective tool to resolve tinnitus; moreover, thanks to its powerful action at the level of neuro-inflammation, it could reduce the hyper-activity in the upper auditory tracts, thus reducing/abolishing noise. umPeaLut combines palmitoylethanolamide, which modulates the activity of mast cells, macrophages and microglia and luteolin, a bioflanoid extracted from fruits with anti-oxidant properties, able to improve microcirculation. Because the alterations of the ear microcirculation can be an additional cause of tinnitus, we believe that luteolin content can be an ulterior benefit. Although various attempts have been made to use a mono-molecule, recent studies have shown that combination of several elements could reduce tinnitus ; PeaLut, in its ultra-micronized form with high bioavailability, could be the perfect solution. This study aims at evaluating the efficacy of umPEALUT as a therapeutic treatment of tinnitus in a sample of adults.

The goal of this interventional clinical study is to establish mild therapeutic hypothermia, delivered non-invasively to the structures of the inner ear, as a safe and repeatable therapeutic method for symptomatic relief of tinnitus. The study will assess both objective and subjective measures to address two main aims: 1. Ascertain the benefits of mild therapeutic hypothermia for symptomatic relief of chronic tinnitus in participants using the ReBound hypothermia device. 2. Ascertain the benefits of mild therapeutic hypothermia for symptom management in chronic tinnitus participants over six months using the ReBound device. Participants will wear the ReBound hypothermia device for 30 minutes in a single session. Researchers will compare results from those receiving the therapy to those from a control group (sham therapy). Participants will also use the device in-home for 6 months and monitor their symptoms with online surveys.

This is an exploratory pilot open-label study to identify the signal changes on fMRI of patients with tinnitus and with temporary suppression of the tinnitus with IV lidocaine. Patients will include those with hearing loss (both unilateral and bilateral) and tinnitus, subjects with normal hearing and tinnitus, and control subjects with normal hearing and no tinnitus. Eligible subjects will have functional and subjective data collected at baseline, receive an IV lidocaine infusion, and have functional and subjective data collected post-infusion for comparison and identification of involved neural networks.

The aim of the proposed study is to investigate the use of resting-state Electroencephalogram (EEG)-Based Brain Entropy (EBDBE) and auditory brainstem responses (ABR) as an objective measure of tinnitus improvement following the use of a bimodal stimulation device in individuals with tinnitus after six weeks of bi-modal stimulation.

This clinical trial aims to investigate whether treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder with a stabilizing occlusal splint is justified to alleviate somatosensory tinnitus. The main questions we aim to answer are: * Determine if treatment of temporomandibular disorder with a stabilizing occlusal splint improves somatosensory tinnitus. * Identify which patient-related, tinnitus-related, and temporomandibular disorder-related factors contribute to the therapeutic effect.

The purpose of this study is to learn more about a type of tinnitus (ringing in the ears) known as "somatosensory tinnitus." This type of tinnitus is suspected when the tinnitus perception changes following head and/or neck movements. This study is also exploring a possible way to treat somatosensory tinnitus.

The goal of this remote interventional clinical study is to investigate the use of mild therapeutic hypothermia devices for the symptomatic relief of chronic tinnitus. The main aims of the study are: 1. Ascertain the effects of MTH in chronic tinnitus patients using questionnaires measuring tinnitus severity and intervention-related change. 2. Ascertain the comfort and acceptability of the hypothermia device and therapy. Participants with chronic tinnitus will wear the mild therapeutic hypothermia therapy devices for a single 30 minute session. Researchers will compare results from those receiving therapy to those from a control group.

* Tinnitus affects one in seven adults long-term * Once present persistently for 4 weeks, tinnitus does not usually disappear * People generally become less aware of, and less affected by, their tinnitus over time * Only one in six people with tinnitus suffers a long-term negative impact on their life * Current treatments can help to reduce the impact of tinnitus, but not silence the sound * Treatments have only so far been tested once tinnitus has been present longer than 6 months * In this study, the researchers are testing whether combining two interventions, in the early stages of tinnitus, is more effective in quieting tinnitus than using one treatment alone in the later stages of tinnitus * One intervention (acoustic ripples) involves playing sounds through headphones for up to 60 minutes per day, and is mostly done in your own time * The other intervention (transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS) involves applying a weak electrical current to the volunteer's scalp using sponges soaked in salt water. This is performed in Newcastle University Medical School for a total of 8 sessions of 40 minutes each, spread over 4 weeks * Half the volunteers will receive the 'real' intervention, and half a 'sham' or 'placebo' version. This will be randomly determined, and the volunteers or the research team will not known which you are receiving until the end of the study * When the study ends, all volunteers will be able to use the 'real' intervention sounds in their own time, for as long as they wish, if they want to do so. No volunteers will be able to receive tDCS after the end of the study. * All volunteers also complete questionnaires about their tinnitus, related symptoms and general health, and have hearing tests plus EEG (electrical brainwave) recordings * The study is very low-risk, but does involve a total of 10 visits of around an hour each to Newcastle University Medical School over around a month. These can be arranged flexibly, including daytimes, evenings and weekends * The researchers will pay all reasonable travel expenses, and £10 per hour for the volunteer's time in participating * The study only completely ends 6 months after the date the tinnitus first started. At this point, the researchers will send some questionnaires to complete only. There is nothing to do for the study in between the tenth visit and this six-month questionnaire.