Tinnitus [UPSC Notes]

A study from researchers at the University of Michigan’s Kresge Hearing Research Institute suggests relief may be possible in Tinnitus. What is Tinnitus? How does it affect a person’s hearing and overall health? Read on for answers. We cover this topic from the IAS exam perspective in this article.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus, the ringing, buzzing or hissing sound of silence, varies from slightly annoying in some to utterly debilitating in others.

• Dr. Susan Shore and her team have demonstrated the potential of personalized bi-sensory stimulation to significantly reduce tinnitus symptoms and improve the quality of life for affected individuals. 

Study finding:

• Throughout the study, participants completed questionnaires to assess the impact of tinnitus on their lives and had their tinnitus loudness evaluated.
• Participants consistently reported improved quality of life, lower handicap scores, and significant reductions in tinnitus loudness when receiving the bi-sensory treatment.
• Sound-only stimulation did not produce the same positive effects.
• More than 60% of participants experienced a significant reduction in tinnitus symptoms after the six weeks of active treatment but not during the control treatment phase.

Implications and Future Developments:

• The study’s findings pave the way for the use of personalized bi-sensory stimulation as a promising treatment for tinnitus, offering hope to the millions of individuals affected by this condition.
• Auricle Inc., the exclusive licensee of the patents related to bi-sensory stimulation, was launched with the support of Innovation Partnerships at the University of Michigan.
• Auricle aims to obtain regulatory clearance and subsequently commercialize Dr. Shore’s innovative tinnitus treatment.

Tinnitus has long presented challenges in finding effective treatments. The groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan brings hope to those suffering from tinnitus. 

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