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Thompson HL, Grabowski J, Franklin B, Koetsier KS, Welling DB. Patient-reported measures of tinnitus for individuals with neurofibromatosis type 2-related schwannomatosis: Recommendations for clinical trials. Clin Trials 2024; 21:18-28. [PMID: 38321701 PMCID: PMC10865763 DOI: 10.1177/17407745231217279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurofibromatosis type 2-related schwannomatosis is a genetic disease characterized by the development of bilateral vestibular schwannomas, ependymomas, meningiomas, and cataracts. Mild to profound hearing loss and tinnitus are common symptoms reported by individuals with neurofibromatosis type 2. While tinnitus is known to have a significant and negative impact on the quality of life of individuals from the general population, the impact on individuals with neurofibromatosis type 2 is unknown. Consensus regarding the selection of suitable patient-reported outcome measures for assessment could advance further research into tinnitus in neurofibromatosis type 2 patients. The purpose of this work is to achieve a consensus recommendation by the Response Evaluation in Neurofibromatosis and Schwannomatosis International Collaboration for patient-reported outcome measures used to evaluate quality of life in the domain of tinnitus for neurofibromatosis type 2 clinical trials. METHODS The Response Evaluation in Neurofibromatosis and Schwannomatosis Patient-Reported Outcomes Communication Subgroup systematically evaluated patient-reported outcome measures of quality of life in the domain of tinnitus for individuals with neurofibromatosis type 2 using previously published Response Evaluation in Neurofibromatosis and Schwannomatosis rating procedures. Of the 19 identified patient-reported outcome measures, 3 measures were excluded because they were not validated as an outcome measure or could not have been used as a single outcome measure for a clinical trial. Sixteen published patient-reported outcome measures for the domain of tinnitus were scored and compared on their participant characteristics, item content, psychometric properties, and feasibility for use in clinical trials. RESULTS The Tinnitus Functional Index was identified as the most highly rated measure for the assessment of tinnitus in populations with neurofibromatosis type 2, due to strengths in the areas of item content, psychometric properties, feasibility, and available scores. DISCUSSION Response Evaluation in Neurofibromatosis and Schwannomatosis currently recommends the Tinnitus Functional Index for the assessment of tinnitus in neurofibromatosis type 2 clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Thompson
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jane Grabowski
- Mimi Hearing Technologies, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Kimberley S Koetsier
- Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - D Bradley Welling
- Harvard Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Park KW, Kullar P, Malhotra C, Stankovic KM. Current and Emerging Therapies for Chronic Subjective Tinnitus. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6555. [PMID: 37892692 PMCID: PMC10607630 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12206555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Chronic subjective tinnitus, the perception of sound without an external source for longer than six months, may be a greatly debilitating condition for some people, and is associated with psychiatric comorbidities and high healthcare costs. Current treatments are not beneficial for all patients and there is a large need for new therapies for tinnitus. OBSERVATIONS Unlike rarer cases of objective tinnitus, chronic subjective tinnitus often has no obvious etiology and a diverse pathophysiology. In the absence of objective testing, diagnosis is heavily based on clinical assessment. Management strategies include hearing aids, sound masking, tinnitus retraining therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and emerging therapies including transcranial magnetic stimulation and electrical stimulation. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Although current treatments are limited, emerging diagnostics and treatments provide promising avenues for the management of tinnitus symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki Wan Park
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 801 Welch Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | - Peter Kullar
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 801 Welch Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | - Charvi Malhotra
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 801 Welch Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | - Konstantina M. Stankovic
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 801 Welch Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 453 Quarry Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, 290 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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A Protocol to Investigate Deep Brain Stimulation for Refractory Tinnitus: From Rat Model to the Set-Up of a Human Pilot Study. Audiol Res 2022; 13:49-63. [PMID: 36648926 PMCID: PMC9844413 DOI: 10.3390/audiolres13010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic tinnitus can have an immense impact on quality of life. Despite recent treatment advances, many tinnitus patients remain refractory to them. Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising treatment to suppress tinnitus. In rats, it has been shown in multiple regions of the auditory pathway that DBS can have an alleviating effect on tinnitus. The thalamic medial geniculate body (MGB) takes a key position in the tinnitus network, shows pathophysiological hallmarks of tinnitus, and is readily accessible using stereotaxy. Here, a protocol is described to evaluate the safety and test the therapeutic effects of DBS in the MGB in severe tinnitus sufferers. METHODS Bilateral DBS of the MGB will be applied in a future study in six patients with severe and refractory tinnitus. A double-blinded, randomized 2 × 2 crossover design (stimulation ON and OFF) will be applied, followed by a period of six months of open-label follow-up. The primary focus is to assess safety and feasibility (acceptability). Secondary outcomes assess a potential treatment effect and include tinnitus severity measured by the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), tinnitus loudness and distress, hearing, cognitive and psychological functions, quality of life, and neurophysiological characteristics. DISCUSSION This protocol carefully balances risks and benefits and takes ethical considerations into account. This study will explore the safety and feasibility of DBS in severe refractory tinnitus, through extensive assessment of clinical and neurophysiological outcome measures. Additionally, important insights into the underlying mechanism of tinnitus and hearing function might be revealed. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03976908 (6 June 2019).
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Shelesko EV, Chernikova NA, Fomochkina LA, Lebedeva MA, Nikonova SD, Doronina VA, Zinkevich DN. [Principles of diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2021; 121:99-105. [PMID: 34932294 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro202112111199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Tinnitus is one of the most common otological symptoms and can be defined as the conscious perception of sound lasting more than 5 minutes in the absence of an external auditory stimulus. Based on the review of articles, a comparative analysis of modern methods of diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus was carried out in order to substantiate the most effective and promising algorithms for providing care to patients. Diagnosis of tinnitus includes taking anamnesis, assessing the severity of tinnitus using questionnaires, otoscopy, hearing examination, and performing additional tests. In case of secondary murmur, etiotropic therapy should be started as soon as possible to prevent hearing loss and other complications. For primary noise, the most effective treatments are cognitive-behavioral therapy, tinnitus maskers and sound therapy, transcutaneous electrical stimulation, and biofeedback. Magnetic stimulation, invasive neuromodulation, drug therapy have a lower level of effectiveness and evidence base.
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Affiliation(s)
- E V Shelesko
- Burdenko National Scientific and Practical Center for Neurosurgery, Moscow, Russia
| | - N A Chernikova
- Burdenko National Scientific and Practical Center for Neurosurgery, Moscow, Russia
| | - L A Fomochkina
- Burdenko National Scientific and Practical Center for Neurosurgery, Moscow, Russia
| | - M A Lebedeva
- Burdenko National Scientific and Practical Center for Neurosurgery, Moscow, Russia
| | - S D Nikonova
- Burdenko National Scientific and Practical Center for Neurosurgery, Moscow, Russia
| | - V A Doronina
- Burdenko National Scientific and Practical Center for Neurosurgery, Moscow, Russia
| | - D N Zinkevich
- Burdenko National Scientific and Practical Center for Neurosurgery, Moscow, Russia
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Shetty KR, Ridge SE, Kanumuri V, Zhu A, Brown MC, Lee DJ. Clinical and scientific innovations in auditory brainstem implants. World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2021; 7:109-115. [PMID: 33997720 PMCID: PMC8103538 DOI: 10.1016/j.wjorl.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The auditory brainstem implant (ABI) was originally developed to provide rehabilitation of retrocochlear deafness caused by neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). Recent studies of the ABI have investigated outcomes in non-NF2 cohorts, such as patients with cochlear nerve aplasia or cochlear ossification and more recently, intractable tinnitus. New technologies that improve the ABI-neural tissue interface are being explored as means to improve performance and decrease side effects. Innovative discoveries in optogenetics and bioengineering present opportunities to continually evolve this technology into the future, enhancing spatial selectivity of neuronal activation in the cochlear nucleus and preventing side effects through reduction in activation of non-target neuronal circuitry. These advances will improve surgical planning and ultimately improve patients’ audiological capabilities. ABI research has rapidly increased in the 21st century and applications of this technology are likely to continually evolve. Herein, we aim to characterize ongoing clinical, basic science, and bioengineering advances in ABIs and discuss future directions of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunal R Shetty
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah E Ridge
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vivek Kanumuri
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Angela Zhu
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M Christian Brown
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel J Lee
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Zhang J, Firestone E, Elattma A. Animal Models of Tinnitus Treatment: Cochlear and Brain Stimulation. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2021; 51:83-129. [PMID: 34282563 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2021_227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neuromodulation, via stimulation of a variety of peripheral and central structures, is used to suppress tinnitus. However, investigative limitations in humans due to ethical reasons have made it difficult to decipher the mechanisms underlying treatment-induced tinnitus relief, so a number of animal models have arisen to address these unknowns. This chapter reviews animal models of cochlear and brain stimulation and assesses their modulatory effects on behavioral evidence of tinnitus and its related neural correlates. When a structure is stimulated, localized modulation, often presenting as downregulation of spontaneous neuronal spike firing rate, bursting and neurosynchrony, occurs within the brain area. Through anatomical projections and transmitter pathways, the interventions activate both auditory- and non-auditory structures by taking bottom-up ascending and top-down descending modes to influence their target brain structures. Furthermore, it is the brain oscillations that cochlear or brain stimulation evoke and connect the prefrontal cortex, striatal systems, and other limbic structures to refresh neural networks and relieve auditory, attentive, conscious, as well as emotional reactive aspects of tinnitus. This oscillatory neural network connectivity is achieved via the thalamocorticothalamic circuitry including the lemniscal and non-lemniscal auditory brain structures. Beyond existing technologies, the review also reveals opportunities for developing advanced animal models using new modalities to achieve precision neuromodulation and tinnitus abatement, such as optogenetic cochlear and/or brain stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsheng Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. .,Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Wayne State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Ethan Firestone
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ahmed Elattma
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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Neural Substrates of Tinnitus in an Auditory Brainstem Implant Patient: A Preliminary Molecular Imaging Study Using H2 15 O-PET Including a 5-year Follow-up of Auditory Performance and Tinnitus Perception. Otol Neurotol 2020; 41:e15-e20. [PMID: 31821261 DOI: 10.1097/mao.0000000000002474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It was previously demonstrated that tinnitus due to profound unilateral hearing loss can be treated by the use of electrical stimulation via a cochlear implant (CI) with long-lasting positive effects. In cases where patients are not suitable for cochlear implantation due to aplasia/hypoplasia, cochlear malformations etc., an auditory brainstem implant (ABI) may be a solution. While auditory performance with ABI is well investigated, it is currently unknown whether stimulation through ABI also renders tinnitus reduction in patients with incapacitating tinnitus. The current case study reports on the subjective tinnitus perception during a 5-year follow-up period. In addition, a first H2O PET imaging study in an ABI patient is carried out revealing underlying neural substrates of tinnitus. METHODS A 56-year-old male single-sided deaf patient with incapacitating tinnitus received an ABI after insufficient auditory performances and only minor tinnitus reduction with CI. Audiological follow-up was carried out during a 5-year follow-up period comprising pure-tone audiometry, speech-in-quiet testing, speech-in-noise testing, tinnitus questionnaires (tinnitus questionnaire and numeric rating scale) and the HISQUI19 questionnaire. To investigate the neural substrates of tinnitus in this subject, H2O PET tomography scans were acquired in three different conditions: 1) ABI switched off which was considered as the resting-state measurement rendering the loudest possible tinnitus for the patient (ABI OFF); 2) ABI switched on causing a small suppression of tinnitus due to electrical stimulation (ABI ON); 3) ABI switched on and 70 dB SPL white noise presented directly to the external audio processor through a direct audio cable providing the maximum tinnitus suppression for the patient (NOISE). RESULTS Subjectively the patient reported a significant tinnitus reduction after implantation which remained stable over time with a decrease in tinnitus questionnaire from grade 4 to grade 2 and a 50% reduction in the numeric rating scale (from 8 to 4) during the 5-year period. Comparing the ABI OFF and ABI ON conditions, significant increase in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was observed in brain areas involved in the salience network showing already suppression of tinnitus only by electrical stimulation in the absence of auditory stimuli. The NOISE condition showed relatively decreased rCBF in the insula (as well as in the orbitofrontal cortex) as compared with the ABI OFF condition. Abnormally activated areas comprising the salience network may have been significantly suppressed by the NOISE condition both by acoustic and electrical stimulations of the auditory pathway. Moreover, the NOISE condition showed significantly decreased rCBF in the parahippocampus as compared with the ABI OFF condition. This finding supports the idea of distinct tinnitus generators depending on the amount of hearing loss. CONCLUSION The reduction of tinnitus in the current ABI subject may be attributable to partial peripheral reafferentation-induced deactivation of the parahippocampus-based tinnitus generator as well as the salience network. Further validation is required by the use of a follow-up study with a larger number of subjects.
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Abstract
Tinnitus is a common symptom. Standard therapies aim at improving the quality of life and reducing the psychological stress associated with tinnitus. Most interventions have little or no effect on the main symptom. Those affected subjects, however, want such a change and prefer a specific solution, such as pharmacologic therapy to other modalities. Scientific efforts have not yet led to significant improvement in the range of therapies. This article outlines existing efforts and develops ideas on how research for improved tinnitus therapy might look in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Kleinjung
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 24, Zurich CH 8091, Switzerland.
| | - Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Center, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 84, Regensburg D 93053, Germany
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Mallen JR, Chiu J, Marquis H, Ottochian A, Perez E, Kuo CL, Otto S, Ryan T, Roberts DS. Quantifying tinnitus suppression in cochlear implantation using tinnitus interval-limited tracking. Laryngoscope 2019; 130:2047-2052. [PMID: 31800110 DOI: 10.1002/lary.28414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Quantify the effects of cochlear implants (CI) on tinnitus suppression in patients with previous cochlear implantation using a novel audiologic sequence: Tinnitus Interval Limited Tracking (TILT). STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. METHODS Consecutive patients with tinnitus and previous cochlear implantation for profound hearing loss underwent an audiologic testing sequence called TILT. Patients rated tinnitus severity using the validated Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) as well as a visual analog scale at baseline and in a variety of audiologic scenarios. Changes in tinnitus severity between scenarios allow for the isolation of the effects of masking and electrical stimulation on the reduction of tinnitus. RESULTS Twenty patients were enrolled, 10 of whom have tinnitus with average THI 30.2 (standard deviation 22.6). Patients had an acute decrease in tinnitus severity when their CIs were turned on, even in the absence of noise in a soundproof booth. This effect reversed once the CIs were turned off. This effect was greater in magnitude than with masking that occurred with the presentation of soft speech. Acute tinnitus severity trended toward improvement with increased level of presented speech. Degree of improvement was not correlated with THI. CONCLUSION Acute tinnitus suppression in patients using CIs is multifactorial. Masking plays a role; however, it cannot sufficiently account for the totality of symptom improvement experienced by CI patients. Quantifiable tinnitus suppression observed when a CI is turned on, even in the absence of audiologic stimulation, suggests that electrical stimulation is involved in the mechanism of symptom improvement in these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 130: 2047-2052, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Mallen
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Jerlon Chiu
- University of Connecticut Medical School, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Hillary Marquis
- Department of Audiology, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Amanda Ottochian
- Department of Audiology, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Erin Perez
- Department of Audiology, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Chia-Ling Kuo
- Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Steve Otto
- House Clinic and House Ear Institute, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A
| | - Tessa Ryan
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Daniel S Roberts
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, Connecticut
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Deklerck AN, Marechal C, Pérez Fernández AM, Keppler H, Van Roost D, Dhooge IJM. Invasive Neuromodulation as a Treatment for Tinnitus: A Systematic Review. Neuromodulation 2019; 23:451-462. [DOI: 10.1111/ner.13042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ann N. Deklerck
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Head and Skin Gent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Celine Marechal
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Head and Skin Gent University Ghent Belgium
| | | | - Hannah Keppler
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences Ghent University Ghent Belgium
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Ghent University Hospital Ghent Belgium
| | - Dirk Van Roost
- Department of Neurosurgery Ghent University Hospital Ghent Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Human Structure and Repair Ghent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Ingeborg J. M. Dhooge
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Head and Skin Gent University Ghent Belgium
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Ghent University Hospital Ghent Belgium
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van den Berge MJC, van Dijk JMC, Metzemaekers JDM, Maat B, Free RH, van Dijk P. An auditory brainstem implant for treatment of unilateral tinnitus: protocol for an interventional pilot study. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e026185. [PMID: 31201186 PMCID: PMC6576138 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tinnitus may have a very severe impact on the quality of life. Unfortunately, for many patients, a satisfactory treatment modality is lacking. The auditory brainstem implant (ABI) was originally indicated for hearing restoration in patients with non-functional cochlear nerves, for example, in neurofibromatosis type II. In analogy to a cochlear implant (CI), it has been demonstrated that an ABI may reduce tinnitus as a beneficial side effect. For tinnitus treatment, an ABI may have an advantage over a CI, as cochlear implantation can harm inner ear structures due to its invasiveness, while an ABI is presumed to not damage anatomical structures. This is the first study to implant an ABI to investigate its effect on intractable tinnitus. METHODS AND ANALYSIS In this pilot study, 10 adults having incapacitating unilateral intractable tinnitus and ipsilateral severe hearing loss will have an ABI implanted. The ABI is switched on 6 weeks after implantation, followed by several fitting sessions aimed at finding an optimal stimulation strategy. The primary outcome will be the change in Tinnitus Functioning Index. Secondary outcomes will be tinnitus burden and quality of life (using Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaires), tinnitus characteristics (using Visual Analogue Scale, a tinnitus analysis), safety, audiometric and vestibular function. The end point is set at 1 year after implantation. Follow-up will continue until 5 years after implantation. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The protocol was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University Medical Centre Groningen, The Netherlands (METc 2015/479). The trial is registered at www.clinicialtrials.gov and will be updated if amendments are made. Results of this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02630589. TRIAL STATUS Inclusion of first patient in November 2017. Data collection is in progress. Trial is open for further inclusion. The trial ends at 5 years after inclusion of the last patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minke J C van den Berge
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - J M C van Dijk
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan D M Metzemaekers
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bert Maat
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rolien H Free
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pim van Dijk
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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