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Alfonso S, Mario C, Pietro DL, Salzano G, Pasquale V, Claudia C, Giuseppe C, Maria GF, Filippo R, Emilio A, Antonio SF. Efficacy of tailor-made notched music training for primary tinnitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Otolaryngol 2024; 45:104467. [PMID: 39106683 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2024.104467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the efficacy of Tailor-Made Notched Music Training (TMNMT) for primary subjective tinnitus in adults. The main goal was to evaluate TMNMT's impact on tinnitus symptoms. METHODS Following PRISMA guidelines, we included randomized and non-randomized trials. Studies considered involved adults with primary subjective tinnitus treated with TMNMT alone or combined with other therapies. Bias risk was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools. Comprehensive database searches were conducted, and relevant data were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS Three studies (total: 99 TMNMT patients, 109 sound therapy) were meta-analyzed. Using THI scores, the Forest plot showed no significant difference in tinnitus distress between TMNMT and listening to music groups (p > 0.05), with low study heterogeneity (I2 = 0 %). CONCLUSION While TMNMT offers a non-invasive approach with a potential to reduce tinnitus distress, it did not significantly outperform the only listening to music. More research is needed to optimize TMNMT for tinnitus management and to better document its safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scarpa Alfonso
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Carucci Mario
- Department of Otolaryngology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | - De Luca Pietro
- Otolaryngology Department, Isola Tiberina, Gemelli Isola Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Salzano
- Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, University Hospital of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Viola Pasquale
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Unit of Audiology, Regional Centre for Cochlear Implants and ENT Diseases, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Chiarella Giuseppe
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Unit of Audiology, Regional Centre for Cochlear Implants and ENT Diseases, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Gioacchini Federico Maria
- ENT Unit, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Avallone Emilio
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany.
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Shahin AJ, Gonzales MG, Dimitrijevic A. Cross-Modal Tinnitus Remediation: A Tentative Theoretical Framework. Brain Sci 2024; 14:95. [PMID: 38275515 PMCID: PMC10813772 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14010095] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Tinnitus is a prevalent hearing-loss deficit manifested as a phantom (internally generated by the brain) sound that is heard as a high-frequency tone in the majority of afflicted persons. Chronic tinnitus is debilitating, leading to distress, sleep deprivation, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. It has been theorized that, in the majority of afflicted persons, tinnitus can be attributed to the loss of high-frequency input from the cochlea to the auditory cortex, known as deafferentation. Deafferentation due to hearing loss develops with aging, which progressively causes tonotopic regions coding for the lost high-frequency coding to synchronize, leading to a phantom high-frequency sound sensation. Approaches to tinnitus remediation that demonstrated promise include inhibitory drugs, the use of tinnitus-specific frequency notching to increase lateral inhibition to the deafferented neurons, and multisensory approaches (auditory-motor and audiovisual) that work by coupling multisensory stimulation to the deafferented neural populations. The goal of this review is to put forward a theoretical framework of a multisensory approach to remedy tinnitus. Our theoretical framework posits that due to vision's modulatory (inhibitory, excitatory) influence on the auditory pathway, a prolonged engagement in audiovisual activity, especially during daily discourse, as opposed to auditory-only activity/discourse, can progressively reorganize deafferented neural populations, resulting in the reduced synchrony of the deafferented neurons and a reduction in tinnitus severity over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine J. Shahin
- Department of Cognitive and Information Sciences, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA;
- Health Science Research Institute, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Mariel G. Gonzales
- Department of Cognitive and Information Sciences, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA;
| | - Andrew Dimitrijevic
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada;
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Zhu M, Gong Q. EEG spectral and microstate analysis originating residual inhibition of tinnitus induced by tailor-made notched music training. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1254423. [PMID: 38148944 PMCID: PMC10750374 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1254423] [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: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Tailor-made notched music training (TMNMT) is a promising therapy for tinnitus. Residual inhibition (RI) is one of the few interventions that can temporarily inhibit tinnitus, which is a useful technique that can be applied to tinnitus research and explore tinnitus mechanisms. In this study, RI effect of TMNMT in tinnitus was investigated mainly using behavioral tests, EEG spectral and microstate analysis. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate RI effect of TMNMT. A total of 44 participants with tinnitus were divided into TMNMT group (22 participants; ECnm, NMnm, RInm represent that EEG recordings with eyes closed stimuli-pre, stimuli-ing, stimuli-post by TMNMT music, respectively) and Placebo control group (22 participants; ECpb, PBpb, RIpb represent that EEG recordings with eyes closed stimuli-pre, stimuli-ing, stimuli-post by Placebo music, respectively) in a single-blind manner. Behavioral tests, EEG spectral analysis (covering delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma frequency bands) and microstate analysis (involving four microstate classes, A to D) were employed to evaluate RI effect of TMNMT. The results of the study showed that TMNMT had a stronger inhibition ability and longer inhibition time according to the behavioral tests compared to Placebo. Spectral analysis showed that RI effect of TMNMT increased significantly the power spectral density (PSD) of delta, theta bands and decreased significantly the PSD of alpha2 band, and microstate analysis showed that RI effect of TMNMT had shorter duration (microstate B, microstate C), higher Occurrence (microstate A, microstate C, microstate D), Coverage (microstate A) and transition probabilities (microstate A to microstate B, microstate A to microstate D and microstate D to microstate A). Meanwhile, RI effect of Placebo decreased significantly the PSD of alpha2 band, and microstate analysis showed that RI effect of Placebo had shorter duration (microstate C, microstate D), higher occurrence (microstate B, microstate C), lower coverage (microstate C, microstate D), higher transition probabilities (microstate A to microstate B, microstate B to microstate A). It was also found that the intensity of tinnitus symptoms was significant positively correlated with the duration of microstate B in five subgroups (ECnm, NMnm, RInm, ECpb, PBpb). Our study provided valuable experimental evidence and practical applications for the effectiveness of TMNMT as a novel music therapy for tinnitus. The observed stronger residual inhibition (RI) ability of TMNMT supported its potential applications in tinnitus treatment. Furthermore, the temporal dynamics of EEG microstates serve as novel functional and trait markers of synchronous brain activity that contribute to a deep understanding of the neural mechanism underlying TMNMT treatment for tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Qin Gong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
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Bourez PH, Vallet GT, Fournier P. Improving Audiology Student Training by Clinical Simulation of Tinnitus: A Glimpse of the Lived Experience of Tinnitus. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1338. [PMID: 37759939 PMCID: PMC10526917 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13091338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Student audiology training in tinnitus evaluation and management is heterogeneous and has been found to be insufficient. We designed a new clinical simulation laboratory for training students on psychoacoustic measurements of tinnitus: one student plays the role of the tinnitus patient, wearing a device producing a sound like tinnitus on one ear, while another student plays the role of the audiologist, evaluating their condition. The objective of the study was to test this new clinical simulation laboratory of tinnitus from the perspective of the students. METHOD This study reports the findings from twenty-one audiology students (20 female and 1 male, mean age = 29, SD = 7.7) who participated in this laboratory for a mandatory audiology class at the Laval University of Quebec. Three students had hearing loss (one mild, two moderate). All students played the role of both the clinician and the patient, alternately. They also had to fill out a questionnaire about their overall experience of the laboratory. RESULTS The qualitative analysis revealed three main themes: "Benefits of the laboratory on future practice", "Barriers and facilitators of the psychoacoustic assessment", and "Awareness of living with tinnitus". The participants reported that this experience would have a positive impact on their ability to manage tinnitus patients in their future career. CONCLUSION This fast, cheap, and effective clinical simulation method could be used by audiology and other healthcare educators to strengthen students' skills and confidence in tinnitus evaluation and management. The protocol is made available to all interested parties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre H. Bourez
- Department of Rehabilitation, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (CIRRIS), Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux de La Capitale-Nationale (CIUSSS-CN), Quebec City, QC G1M 2S8, Canada
| | - Guillaume T. Vallet
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada;
- Centre de Recherche de L’institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3W 1W4, Canada
| | - Philippe Fournier
- Department of Rehabilitation, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (CIRRIS), Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux de La Capitale-Nationale (CIUSSS-CN), Quebec City, QC G1M 2S8, Canada
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Tang D, Wang J, Yu X, Yu H. The clinical effects of modified tinnitus relieving sound (MTRS) for chronic tinnitus: protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2023; 24:372. [PMID: 37268971 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07389-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic subjective tinnitus has become an increasingly serious hazard that affects the health-related quality of life for millions of people. Due to the lack of curative treatment strategies, this study aims to introduce a novel acoustic therapy named the modified tinnitus relieving sound (MTRS) for tinnitus and to evaluate the efficacy of MTRS in comparison with unmodified music (UM) which served as a control. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A randomized, double-blinded, controlled, clinical trial will be carried out. Sixty-eight patients with subjective tinnitus will be recruited and randomly allocated into two groups in 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome is Tinnitus Handicapped Inventory (THI); the secondary outcomes are the Hospital Anxiety and Distress Scale (HADS; HADS subscales for Anxiety (HADS-A) and Depression (HADS-D)), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), the visual analog scale (VAS) for tinnitus, and tinnitus loudness matched by sensation level (SL). Assessment will be performed at baseline and at 1, 3, 9, and 12 months post-randomization. The sound stimulus will be persistent until 9 months after randomization, and be interdictory in the last three months. Data collected during the intervention process will be analyzed and compared to baseline. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This trial received ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University (No. 2017048). The study results will be disseminated via academic journals and conferences. FUNDING This study is supported by the Shanghai Shenkang Development Program (SHDC12019119), the Excellent Doctors-Excellent Clinical Researchers Program (SYB202008), the Shanghai Rising-Star Program (23QC1401200), the Shanghai Rising Stars of Medical Talent Youth Development Program (2021-99), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81800912), and the National Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai (21ZR1411800). TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04026932. Registered on 18 July 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Tang
- ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, People's Republic of China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jinghan Wang
- ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, People's Republic of China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaopei Yu
- ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, People's Republic of China
| | - Huiqian Yu
- ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, People's Republic of China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, People's Republic of China.
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Mazurek B, Schulze H, Schlee W, Dobel C. Tinnitus at the Junction of Traditional Medicine and Modern Technology. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15081898. [PMID: 37111117 PMCID: PMC10143118 DOI: 10.3390/nu15081898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The WHO estimated that 430 million people worldwide suffer from moderate-to-severe hearing loss [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Mazurek
- Tinnitus Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Holger Schulze
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Winfried Schlee
- Department of Psychiatry, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Institute for Information and Process Management, Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Christian Dobel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jena University Hospital, 07743 Jena, Germany
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Majno M. “The two voices,” or more? Music and gender from myth and conquests to the neurosciences. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:604-632. [PMID: 36971041 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Music is a unique phenomenon, constantly eliciting interest from a variety of viewpoints, several of which intersect the universal trait of musicality with sex/gender studies and the neurosciences. Its unparalleled power and physical, social, aesthetic, as well as cognitive, emotional and clinical ramifications make it a specially promising terrain for studies and reflections on sex and gender differences and their impact. This overview wishes to enhance awareness of such issues, also fostering an interdisciplinary exchange between the natural sciences, the humanities, and the arts. Over the centuries, different associations of music with the feminine gender have contributed to a pendulum between progressive recognition and stereotypical setbacks requiring to be overcome. Against this backdrop, music-related neurophysiological and psychological studies on sex and gender specificities are reviewed in their multiple approaches and results, exposing or questioning differences in structural, auditory, hormonal, cognitive, and behavioral areas, also in relation to abilities, treatment, and pedagogy. Thus, the bridging potential of music as universal yet diverse language, art, and practice, recommends its gender-aware integration into education, protective endeavors, and therapeutic interventions, to promote equality and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Majno
- Mariani Foundation for Child Neurology, Milan, Italy
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An increase in the auditory steady-state response amplitudes after a period of listening to binaural beat stimuli in tinnitus patients: a pilot study. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1186/s43163-023-00402-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Tinnitus impact on persons’ lifestyle, function, and emotion is of significant importance that has been the leader for conducting an increasing amount of research in the field of tinnitus pathophysiology, assessment, and management. Binaural beats (BB) are one of acoustic neuromodulation approaches used in psychological disorders, such as distress and anxiety. Thus, we hypothesized that binaural beat could be helpful in the relief of tinnitus distress and annoyance.
Methods
Seventeen chronic tinnitus subjects participated in this quasi-experimental (quantitative research) study. In this study, the effect of binaural beat stimuli was evaluated subjectively using the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) scores, the visual analog scale for loudness and annoyance (VAS_L, VAS_A), and objectively by the 40-Hz ASSR after 1 month of listening to binaural beats, and the correlation between these two assessments was evaluated.
Results
After 1 month of binaural beat stimuli listening, all of the subjective findings were significantly improved, and the amplitude of 40-Hz ASSR was increased in the right auditory and anterior frontal regions at 2000-Hz carrier frequency. Besides, there was a high correlation between the decreasing of the subjective scores with the rising of the amplitude of 40-Hz ASSR.
Conclusion
The use of binaural beat as an acoustic neuromodulation method for tinnitus management may be recommended according to the current study findings. However, more investigations on the effectiveness supported by data from controlled clinical trials and more correlations with ASSR alteration are highly suggested.
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Henry JA. Sound Therapy to Reduce Auditory Gain for Hyperacusis and Tinnitus. Am J Audiol 2022; 31:1067-1077. [DOI: 10.1044/2022_aja-22-00127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose:
Hyperacusis is the most common of the different types of sound tolerance conditions. It has been defined as physical discomfort or pain when any sound reaches a certain level of loudness that would be comfortable for most people. Because hyperacusis and tinnitus occur together so often, it has been theorized that they have a common neural mechanism. A leading contender for that mechanism is enhancement of auditory gain. The purpose of this tutorial is to review the evidence that sound/acoustic therapy can reduce auditory gain and, thereby, can increase loudness tolerance for people with hyperacusis and/or suppress the percept of tinnitus.
Method:
The scientific literature was informally reviewed to identify and elucidate relationships between tinnitus, hyperacusis, sound therapy, and auditory gain.
Results:
Evidence exists, both in animal and human studies, that enhanced auditory gain is associated with hyperacusis and tinnitus. Further evidence supports the theory that certain forms of sound therapy can reduce neural hyperactivity, thereby reducing auditory gain. The evidence for sound therapy reducing auditory gain is stronger for hyperacusis than it is for tinnitus.
Conclusions:
Based on results from numerous studies, sound therapy clearly has application as a method of desensitization for hyperacusis. Enhanced auditory gain might be responsible for tinnitus, but other mechanisms have been theorized. A review of the relevant literature leads to the conclusion that some form(s) of sound therapy has the potential to suppress or eliminate tinnitus on a long-term basis. Systematic research is needed to evaluate this premise.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A. Henry
- VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, VA Portland Health Care System, OR
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
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Spencer S, Mielczarek M, Olszewski J, Sereda M, Joossen I, Vermeersch H, Gilles A, Michiels S. Effectiveness of bimodal auditory and electrical stimulation in patients with tinnitus: A feasibility study. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:971633. [PMID: 36090280 PMCID: PMC9449838 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.971633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundTinnitus is a common symptom, affecting about 10–15% of the adult population. When input from the somatosensory system can influence and/or elicit tinnitus, this type of subjective tinnitus is called somatosensory tinnitus. Recently, a new type of bimodal neurostimulation treatment has shown promising results for a specific subgroup within the somatosensory tinnitus population. It is, however, not clear if this bimodal stimulation is also effective in patients with other types of subjective tinnitus.AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of non-invasive bimodal auditory-somatosensory stimulation in reducing tinnitus severity among a general population of people with subjective tinnitus.MethodsChronic subjective tinnitus patients were recruited from the ENT department of the Antwerp University Hospital. Somatosensory stimulation was delivered by Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), and it was combined with auditory stimulation via headphones. The therapy comprised six sessions of thirty minutes twice a week for a period of 3 consecutive weeks. Follow up measurements were scheduled 9–12 weeks after the last treatment session. The change of the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) score, a questionnaire evaluating tinnitus burden and effects on the quality of life, was the primary outcome measure.ResultsTwenty-nine patients were enrolled in the study. A linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze the efficacy of bimodal treatment. The results of this analysis showed a statistically significant decrease (by 6, 9 points) in average TFI score at the follow up visit when compared to baseline. The ability to modulate tinnitus did not have an influence on the treatment results.ConclusionOur study showed that bimodal stimulation is a feasible and safe method of tinnitus treatment. The method might be an effective treatment for some participants with tinnitus, especially those who have accompanying neck/temporomandibular problems, although, the evidence from this trial is quite weak. Additional research is needed toward establishing the optimal treatment protocol, as well as selecting the most appropriate inclusion criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikha Spencer
- Department of Otolaryngology, Laryngological Oncology, Audiology and Phoniatrics, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Marzena Mielczarek
- Department of Otolaryngology, Laryngological Oncology, Audiology and Phoniatrics, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Jurek Olszewski
- Department of Otolaryngology, Laryngological Oncology, Audiology and Phoniatrics, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Magdalena Sereda
- School of Medicine, Hearing Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Iris Joossen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Hanne Vermeersch
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Annick Gilles
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
- Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Education, Health and Social Work, University College Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sarah Michiels
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
- REVAL—Rehabilitation Research Center, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Sarah Michiels,
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Eser BN, Şerbetçioğlu MB. Auditory Short-Term Memory Evaluation in Noise in Musicians. J Am Acad Audiol 2022; 33:375-380. [PMID: 35817310 DOI: 10.1055/a-1896-5129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Working memory, a short-term memory component, is a multicomponent system that manages attention and short-term memory in speech perception in challenging listening conditions. These challenging conditions cause listening effort that can be objectively evaluated by pupillometry. Studies show that auditory working memory is more developed in musicians for complex auditory tasks. PURPOSE This study aims to compare the listening effort and short-term memory in noise between musicians and nonmusicians. RESEARCH DESIGN An experimental research design was adopted for the study. STUDY SAMPLE The study was conducted on 22 musicians and 20 nonmusicians between the ages of 20 and 45. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Participants' effort analysis was measured with pupillometry; performance analysis was measured with short-term memory score by listening to the 15 word lists of Verbal Memory Processes Test. Participants are tested under three conditions: quiet, +15 signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and +5 SNR. RESULTS While nonmusicians showed significantly higher short-term memory score (STMS) than musicians in the quiet condition, musicians' STMS were significantly higher in both noise conditions (+15 SNR and +5 SNR). The nonmusician's percentage of pupil growth averages were higher than the musicians for three conditions. CONCLUSION As a result, musicians had better memory performance in noise and less effort in the listening task according to lower pupil growth. This study objectively evaluated the differences between participants' listening efforts by pupillometry. It is also observed that the SNR and music training affect memory performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Büşra Nur Eser
- Department of Audiology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Henry JA, Carlson KF, Theodoroff S, Folmer RL. Reevaluating the Use of Sound Therapy for Tinnitus Management: Perspectives on Relevant Systematic Reviews. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2022; 65:2327-2342. [PMID: 35619049 DOI: 10.1044/2022_jslhr-21-00668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Tinnitus is a highly prevalent condition that can severely reduce health functioning. In spite of extant clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), implementation of these CPGs is relatively uncommon. As a result, patients seeking professional services for tinnitus often have no assurance of receiving evidence-based care. The purpose of this tutorial was to clarify the evidence for sound therapy so that it may be included in future CPGs for tinnitus. METHOD "Best clinical evidence" is obtained from high-quality systematic reviews, which are generally considered the highest level of evidence. Our review of recent, comprehensive, high-quality systematic reviews of interventions for tinnitus concludes that cognitive behavioral therapy is the only effective intervention, though the strength of evidence was generally rated as low in these reviews. Although trials of sound therapy for tinnitus have been included in these reviews, they have been rated as having high risk of bias (RoB) and not included in syntheses or rated as insufficient strength of evidence. RESULTS Conclusions from these and other reviews have influenced recommendations made in CPGs for tinnitus. These conclusions, however, can make it appear that an intervention for tinnitus is not effective, even if the opposite is true. We contend that the strict inclusion criteria for these reviews are counterproductive and have the effect of obscuring decades of evidence demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of sound therapies for tinnitus. Ultimately, this process has resulted in many patients not receiving sound therapy, despite what should be sufficient evidence that this is an effective form of intervention. CONCLUSION If we rely on systematic reviews using contemporary RoB assessment criteria for studies published prior to these reporting guidelines, then we risk excluding important conclusions regarding interventions that could help patients in need.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Henry
- VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, OR
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
| | - Kathleen F Carlson
- VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, OR
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, OR
| | - Sarah Theodoroff
- VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, OR
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
| | - Robert L Folmer
- VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, OR
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, OR
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13
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Yoo S, Yakunina N, Nam EC. Does Listening to Tinnitus Frequency-Filtered Music Relieve Tinnitus? J Audiol Otol 2022; 26:147-152. [PMID: 35613939 PMCID: PMC9271734 DOI: 10.7874/jao.2022.00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives Tinnitus frequency-filtered music therapy aims to restore lateral inhibition to reverse tonotopic reorganization in the auditory cortex. Although the tinnitus-relieving effect of this therapy has been investigated, the results remain controversial. We performed a prospective, randomized, controlled double-blind study to determine the tinnitus-suppressing effect of tinnitus frequency-filtered music therapy. Subjects and Methods The study included 90 participants who were randomly categorized into an experimental group that listened to tinnitus frequency-filtered music and a control group that listened to music from which a random frequency was removed. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score and measures of tinnitus loudness, daily awareness, and tinnitus-induced annoyance were evaluated at the initial visit and at 3 and 6 months (final follow-up). The rates of improvement in THI scores in the two groups were also recorded. Results All measured variables showed significant improvement in both groups, except the matched tinnitus loudness and minimal masking level. However, no significant intergroup differences were observed in the amount of improvement in THI scores and any other variable. The rates of improvement in THI scores were higher in the control group at 3 and 6 months. Conclusions Listening to tinnitus frequency-filtered music reduced tinnitus-induced handicaps; however, this approach was not significantly better than listening to music from which a random frequency was removed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Natalia Yakunina
- Department of Otolaryngology, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Eui-Cheol Nam
- Department of Otolaryngology, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
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14
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Tziridis K, Brunner S, Schilling A, Krauss P, Schulze H. Spectrally Matched Near-Threshold Noise for Subjective Tinnitus Loudness Attenuation Based on Stochastic Resonance. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:831581. [PMID: 35431789 PMCID: PMC9005796 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.831581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we proposed a model of tinnitus development based on a physiological mechanism of permanent optimization of information transfer from the auditory periphery to the central nervous system by means of neuronal stochastic resonance utilizing neuronal noise to be added to the cochlear input, thereby improving hearing thresholds. In this view, tinnitus is a byproduct of this added neuronal activity. Interestingly, in healthy subjects auditory thresholds can also be improved by adding external, near-threshold acoustic noise. Based on these two findings and a pilot study we hypostatized that tinnitus loudness (TL) might be reduced, if the internally generated neuronal noise is substituted by externally provided individually adapted acoustic noise. In the present study, we extended the data base of the first pilot and further optimized our approach using a more fine-grained adaptation of the presented noise to the patients' audiometric data. We presented different spectrally filtered near-threshold noises (-2 dB to +6 dB HL, 2 dB steps) for 40 s each to 24 patients with tonal tinnitus and a hearing deficit not exceeding 40 dB. After each presentation, the effect of the noise on the perceived TL was obtained by patient's response to a 5-scale question. In 21 out of 24 patients (13 women) TL was successfully subjectively attenuated during acoustic near-threshold stimulation using noise spectrally centered half an octave below the individual's tinnitus pitch (TP). Six patients reported complete subjective silencing of their tinnitus percept during stimulation. Acoustic noise is able to reduce TL, but the TP has to be taken into account. Based on our findings, we speculate about a possible future treatment of tinnitus by near-threshold bandpass filtered acoustic noise stimulation, which could be implemented in hearing aids with noise generators.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Holger Schulze
- Experimental Otolaryngology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
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15
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Huang B, Wang X, Wei F, Sun Q, Sun J, Liang Y, Chen H, Zhuang H, Xiong G. Notched Sound Alleviates Tinnitus by Reorganization Emotional Center. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 15:762492. [PMID: 35153700 PMCID: PMC8832119 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.762492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundTinnitus is a common disease, and sound therapy is an effective method to alleviate it. Previous studies have shown that notched sound not only changes levels of cortical blood oxygen, but affects blood oxygen in specific cerebral cortical areas, such as Brodmann area 46 (BA46), which is associated with emotion. Extensive evidence has confirmed that tinnitus is closely related to emotion. Whether notched sound plays a role in regulating the emotional center is still unclear.MethodsThis study included 29 patients with newly diagnosed chronic tinnitus who were treated with notched sound. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was conducted before and after treatment to observe bilateral changes in cortical blood oxygen in the cerebral hemispheres. We compared the changes in connectivity between the two regions of interest (the superior temporal gyrus and BA46), as wells as other cortical regions before and after treatment.ResultsThe results showed (1) That global connectivity between the bilateral auditory cortex of the superior temporal sulcus and the ipsilateral cortex did not change significantly between baseline and the completion of treatment, and (2) That the connectivity between channel 14 and the right superior temporal sulcus decreased after treatment. The overall connectivity between the right BA46 region and the right cortex decreased after treatment, and decreases in connectivity after treatment were specifically found for channels 10 and 14 in the right parietal lobe and channels 16, 20, 21, and 22 in the frontal lobe, while there was no significant change on the left side. There were no significant changes in the questionnaire measures of tinnitus, anxiety, or depression before and after treatment.ConclusionThe results of the study indicate that cerebral cortex reorganization occurs in tinnitus patients after submitted to treatment with notched sound for 1 month, and that notched sound decreases the connectivity between the auditory cortex and specific brain regions.SignificanceNotched sound not only regulates the auditory center through lateral inhibition, but also alleviates tinnitus by reorganizing the emotional control center.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bixue Huang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianren Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xianren Wang,
| | - Fanqing Wei
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiyang Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jincangjian Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Liang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiting Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiwen Zhuang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guanxia Xiong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guanxia Xiong,
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16
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Ludwig M, Wienke C, Betts MJ, Zaehle T, Hämmerer D. Current challenges in reliably targeting the noradrenergic locus coeruleus using transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). Auton Neurosci 2021; 236:102900. [PMID: 34781120 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), as a non-invasive brain stimulation technique may influence the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine system (LC-NE system) via modulation of the Vagus Nerve (VN) which projects to the LC. Few human studies exist examining the effects of taVNS on the LC-NE system and studies to date assessing the ability of taVNS to target the LC yield heterogeneous results. The aim of this review is to present an overview of the current challenges in assessing effects of taVNS on LC function and how translational approaches spanning animal and human research can help in this regard. A particular emphasis of the review discusses how the effects of taVNS may be influenced by changes in structure and function of the LC-NE system across the human lifespan and in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Ludwig
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Magdeburg, Germany; CBBS Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Christian Wienke
- Department of Neurology, Section of Neuropsychology, Otto-v.-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; CBBS Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Matthew J Betts
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Magdeburg, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany; CBBS Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Tino Zaehle
- Department of Neurology, Section of Neuropsychology, Otto-v.-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; CBBS Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Dorothea Hämmerer
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Magdeburg, Germany; Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK; Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck; CBBS Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
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17
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Simoes JP, Daoud E, Shabbir M, Amanat S, Assouly K, Biswas R, Casolani C, Dode A, Enzler F, Jacquemin L, Joergensen M, Kok T, Liyanage N, Lourenco M, Makani P, Mehdi M, Ramadhani AL, Riha C, Santacruz JL, Schiller A, Schoisswohl S, Trpchevska N, Genitsaridi E. Multidisciplinary Tinnitus Research: Challenges and Future Directions From the Perspective of Early Stage Researchers. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:647285. [PMID: 34177549 PMCID: PMC8225955 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.647285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tinnitus can be a burdensome condition on both individual and societal levels. Many aspects of this condition remain elusive, including its underlying mechanisms, ultimately hindering the development of a cure. Interdisciplinary approaches are required to overcome long-established research challenges. This review summarizes current knowledge in various tinnitus-relevant research fields including tinnitus generating mechanisms, heterogeneity, epidemiology, assessment, and treatment development, in an effort to highlight the main challenges and provide suggestions for future research to overcome them. Four common themes across different areas were identified as future research direction: (1) Further establishment of multicenter and multidisciplinary collaborations; (2) Systematic reviews and syntheses of existing knowledge; (3) Standardization of research methods including tinnitus assessment, data acquisition, and data analysis protocols; (4) The design of studies with large sample sizes and the creation of large tinnitus-specific databases that would allow in-depth exploration of tinnitus heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Piano Simoes
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Elza Daoud
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Maryam Shabbir
- Hearing Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sana Amanat
- Otology & Neurotology Group CTS 495, Department of Genomic Medicine, GENYO - Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research Pfizer/University of Granada/Junta de Andalucía, PTS, Granada, Spain
| | - Kelly Assouly
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Cochlear Technology Centre, Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Roshni Biswas
- Hearing Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Laboratory of Lifestyle Epidemiology, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Casolani
- Hearing Systems, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Oticon A/S, Smoerum, Denmark
- Interacoustics Research Unit, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Albi Dode
- Institute of Databases and Information Systems, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Falco Enzler
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Laure Jacquemin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
- Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp University, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Mie Joergensen
- Hearing Systems, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- WS Audiology, Lynge, Denmark
| | - Tori Kok
- Ear Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nuwan Liyanage
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matheus Lourenco
- Experimental Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Health Psychology Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Punitkumar Makani
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences (Research School of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences), University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Muntazir Mehdi
- Institute of Distributed Systems, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anissa L. Ramadhani
- Radiological Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Constanze Riha
- Chair of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jose Lopez Santacruz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences (Research School of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences), University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Axel Schiller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Schoisswohl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Natalia Trpchevska
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Experimental Audiology Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eleni Genitsaridi
- Hearing Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, National Institute for Health Research, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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18
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Yakunina N, Nam EC. Direct and Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of Tinnitus: A Scoping Review. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:680590. [PMID: 34122002 PMCID: PMC8193498 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.680590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent animal research has shown that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with sound stimuli can induce neural plasticity in the auditory cortex in a controlled manner. VNS paired with tones excluding the tinnitus frequency eliminated physiological and behavioral characteristics of tinnitus in noise-exposed rats. Several clinical trials followed and explored the effectiveness of VNS paired with sound stimuli for alleviating tinnitus in human subjects. Transcutaneous VNS (tVNS) has received increasing attention as a non-invasive alternative approach to tinnitus treatment. Several studies have also explored tVNS alone (not paired with sound stimuli) as a potential therapy for tinnitus. In this review, we discuss existing knowledge about direct and tVNS in terms of applicability, safety, and effectiveness in diminishing tinnitus symptoms in human subjects. This review includes all existing clinical and neuroimaging studies of tVNS alone or paired with acoustic stimulation in tinnitus patients and outlines the present limitations that must be overcome to maximize the potential of (t)VNS as a therapy for tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Yakunina
- Institute of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Eui-Cheol Nam
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
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19
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Neurophysiological correlates of residual inhibition in tinnitus: Hints for trait-like EEG power spectra. Clin Neurophysiol 2021; 132:1694-1707. [PMID: 34038848 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate oscillatory brain activity changes following acoustic stimulation in tinnitus and whether these changes are associated with behavioral measures of tinnitus loudness. Moreover, differences in ongoing brain activity between individuals with and without residual inhibition (RI) are examined (responders vs. non-responders). METHODS Three different types of noise stimuli were administered for acoustic stimulation in 45 tinnitus patients. Subjects resting state brain activity was recorded before and after stimulation via EEG alongside with subjective measurements of tinnitus loudness. RESULTS Delta, theta and gamma band power increased, whereas alpha and beta power decreased from pre to post stimulation. Acoustic stimulation responders exhibited reduced gamma and a trend for enhanced alpha activity with the latter localized in the right inferior temporal gyrus. Post stimulation, individuals experiencing RI showed higher theta, alpha and beta power with a peak power difference in the alpha band localized in the right superior temporal gyrus. Neither correlations with behavioral tinnitus measures nor stimulus-specific changes in EEG activity were present. CONCLUSIONS Our observations might be indicative of trait-specific forms of oscillatory signatures in different subsets of the tinnitus population related to acoustic tinnitus suppression. SIGNIFICANCE Results and insights are not only useful to understand basic neural mechanisms behind RI but are also valuable for general neural models of tinnitus.
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20
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A Three-arm, Single-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Effects of Notched Music Therapy, Conventional Music Therapy, and Counseling on Tinnitus. Otol Neurotol 2021; 42:335-340. [PMID: 33290360 DOI: 10.1097/mao.0000000000002935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of three common interventions for tinnitus patients: notched music therapy, conventional music therapy, and counseling. STUDY DESIGN Randomized, single-blinded, controlled, three-arm trial. METHOD This study was conducted from January 2018 to January 2019. Eligible subjects were randomized into three groups. The first group received notched music therapy (n = 25), the second received conventional music therapy (n = 24), and the third received counseling only (n = 26). The three groups did not differ in terms of demographic data including age, sex, tinnitus duration, affected side, hearing level, side of tinnitus, and frequency of tinnitus. The patients were followed up on at month 1, 2, and 3 after initiation of therapy. RESULTS Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores gradually decreased in all groups. The mean differences in Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score from baseline for patients who received notched music therapy, conventional music therapy, and counseling only were 20.49, 27.83, and 17.79 points, respectively (p < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference among the groups (p = 0.246). CONCLUSION There was no difference between the treatments. The selection of these therapies for tinnitus treatment may depend on the unique needs and proclivities of patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.in.th/TCTR20180225002.
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21
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Diao M, Tian R, Tian F, Lin X, Sun J. Analysis of the effects and predictors of tailor-made notched music therapy for chronic idiopathic tinnitus patients: Our experience with 70 patients. Clin Otolaryngol 2021; 46:630-634. [PMID: 33340429 DOI: 10.1111/coa.13694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mingfang Diao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,College of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Ruru Tian
- Department of Otolaryngology, Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fangjie Tian
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,College of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Lin
- Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jianjun Sun
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,College of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, Beijing, China
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22
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Hafner A, Schoisswohl S, Simoes J, Schlee W, Schecklmann M, Langguth B, Neff P. Impact of personality on acoustic tinnitus suppression and emotional reaction to stimuli sounds. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2020; 260:187-203. [PMID: 33637217 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2020.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acoustic stimulation was shown to be effective in short-term suppression of tinnitus. However, tinnitus cannot be suppressed in all patients. Recent insights from mental health research suggests that personality traits may be important factors in prediction of treatment outcomes or improvement of tinnitus over time. No previous acoustic stimulation study investigated the effects of personality traits on tinnitus suppression and rating of sound stimuli. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was therefore to examine whether personality is capable to predict tinnitus suppression in chronic tinnitus patients as well as related emotional stimulus evaluation. METHODS Personality data (Big Five Index 2; BFI-2) of two acoustic stimulation experiments were pooled for this analysis. Both experiments were conducted at the University of Regensburg, Germany in the time period between April 2018 and October 2019 and consisted of individual designed noise and amplitude modulated tones matched to the participants' tinnitus pitch. Logistic regressions or linear mixed effect models were performed with tinnitus suppression as well as valence and arousal data as dependent variables and BFI-2 personality dimensions as predictors. RESULTS 28% of the participants showed pronounced short-term tinnitus suppression after acoustic stimulation (50% reduction in subjective tinnitus loudness). Analyzing BFI-2 data, no significant impact of the big five personality traits (neuroticism, agreeableness, extraversion, conscientiousness, openness) were found, neither on acoustic tinnitus suppression, nor on emotional stimulus evaluation, namely arousal. CONCLUSION Personality was not shown to be a predictive factor, neither for acoustic stimulation, nor for emotional reaction to stimuli sounds in our studies. However, since tinnitus cannot be suppressed by acoustic stimulation in all patients, future studies should investigate other explaining factors such as patient-related or (neuro)physiological characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Hafner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bezirksklinikum, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Stefan Schoisswohl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bezirksklinikum, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jorge Simoes
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bezirksklinikum, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Winfried Schlee
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bezirksklinikum, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Schecklmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bezirksklinikum, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bezirksklinikum, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Neff
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bezirksklinikum, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; University Research Priority Program Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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23
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Wang K, Tang D, Ma J, Sun S. Auditory Neural Plasticity in Tinnitus Mechanisms and Management. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:7438461. [PMID: 32684922 PMCID: PMC7349625 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7438461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tinnitus, which is the perception of sound in the absence of a corresponding external acoustic stimulus, including change of hearing and neural plasticity, has become an increasingly important ailment affecting the daily life of a considerable proportion of the population and causing significant burdens for both the affected individuals and society as a whole. Here, we briefly review the epidemiology and classification of tinnitus, and the currently available treatments are discussed in terms of the available evidence for their mechanisms and efficacy. The conclusion drawn from the available evidence is that there is no specific medication for tinnitus treatment at present, and tinnitus management might provide better solutions. Therapeutic interventions for tinnitus should be based on a comprehensive understanding of the etiology and features of individual cases of tinnitus, and more high quality and large-scale research studies are urgently needed to develop more efficacious medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunkun Wang
- ENT institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Dongmei Tang
- ENT institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jiaoyao Ma
- ENT institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Shan Sun
- ENT institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
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Abstract
Purpose
Sound therapy to reduce the emotional and functional effects of tinnitus has been used by audiologists since the 1970s when Jack Vernon introduced the masking method to provide a sense of relief from tinnitus distress. Our group renamed masking sound as “soothing” sound and distinguished it from “interesting” and “background” sound, each of which has a different purpose for tinnitus sound therapy. Other methods of sound therapy have the potential to reduce the “sensation” of tinnitus, including notched noise, matched noise, desynchronization, and residual inhibition. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the different sound therapy approaches to serve as a resource for audiologists who often provide sound therapy to their patients with tinnitus.
Conclusion
Although, according to systematic reviews, sound therapy does not have strong evidence for treatment of tinnitus, it is nonetheless well evidenced both through abundant research and clinical utilization mostly by audiologists. It is unknown if any one form of sound therapy is superior to any other.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A. Henry
- Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research & Development Service, National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, VA Portland Health Care System, OR
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
| | - Candice M. Quinn
- Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research & Development Service, National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, VA Portland Health Care System, OR
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
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Sun Q, Wang X, Huang B, Sun J, Li J, Zhuang H, Xiong G. Cortical Activation Patterns of Different Masking Noises and Correlation With Their Masking Efficacy, Determined by Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:149. [PMID: 32410973 PMCID: PMC7198837 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Acoustic therapy in tinnitus treatment is poorly characterized, and efficacy assessment depends on subjective descriptions. Narrow-band noise, notched sound, and white noise have positive therapeutic effects on monotonous tinnitus. Considering the tonotopic characteristics of the auditory system and the spectral characteristics of these three masking sounds, the activation pattern of the auditory cortex and the mechanism of inhibiting tinnitus may be different. This study aimed to compare the activation patterns of three spectrally different masking noises and study the correlation between the masking effects and variational amplitude of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) in the corresponding cortical regions. We also assessed near-infrared spectroscopy brain function imaging (NIRS) as an objective assessment tool in acoustic therapy. Patients with persistent non-pulsatile tinnitus and control volunteers without tinnitus were enrolled in this study. The subjects were seated in a sound-proof room, with two optode arrays covering the bilateral temporal lobe. Auditory stimuli were presented; stimulation sequences followed the block design: different noises appeared randomly and repeated in five cycles. Tinnitus match and residual inhibition were performed in the tinnitus group. The data analyses were conducted using the NIRS_SPM toolbox. The group analysis results showed that the narrow-band noise caused a marginally significant decrease in HbO signal in the Brodmann 21 region (BA21), while white noise caused a significant increase in HbO signal in BA21. Notched sound did not cause significant changes in the HbO signal in the temporal cortex. And none of the three masking noises caused significant changes in the HbR signal in the temporal cortex. The depth of residual inhibition induced by the narrow-band noise and white noise significantly correlated with ΔHbO in the region of interest (ROI). However, neither the depth nor duration of the residual inhibition induced by notched sound correlated with the ΔHbO. Thus, NIRS showed three cortical activation patterns induced by three different masking noises, and correlations between residual inhibition effects and change of HbO amplitude were found. NIRS could therefore be applied in objective assessment of acoustic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyang Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianren Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bixue Huang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - JinCangjian Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiahui Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiwen Zhuang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guanxia Xiong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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26
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Fournier P, Wrzosek M, Paolino M, Paolino F, Quemar A, Noreña AJ. Comparing Tinnitus Tuning Curves and Psychoacoustic Tuning Curves. Trends Hear 2020; 23:2331216519878539. [PMID: 31588855 PMCID: PMC6783663 DOI: 10.1177/2331216519878539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tinnitus masking patterns have long been known to differ from those used for masking external sound. In the present study, we compared the shape of tinnitus tuning curves (TTCs) to psychophysical tuning curves (PTCs), the latter using as a target, an external sound that mimics the tinnitus characteristics. A secondary goal was to compare sound levels required to mask tinnitus to those required to mask tinnitus-mimicking sounds. The TTC, PTC, audiometric thresholds, tinnitus pitch, and level matching results of 32 tinnitus patients were analyzed. Narrowband noise maskers were used for both PTC and TTC procedures. Patients were categorized into three groups based on a combination of individual PTC-TTC results. Our findings indicate that in 41% of cases, the PTC was sharp (V shape), but the TTC showed a flat configuration, suggesting that the tinnitus-related activity in that subgroup does not behave as a regular stimulus-induced activity. In 30% of cases, V-shape PTC and TTC were found, indicating that the tinnitus-related activity may share common properties with stimulus-induced activity. For a masker centered at the tinnitus frequency, the tinnitus was more difficult to mask than the mimicking tone in 72% of patients; this was particularly true for the subset with V-shape PTCs and flat TTCs. These results may have implications for subtyping tinnitus and acoustic therapies, in particular those targeting the tinnitus frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Fournier
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille University, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Arnaud J Noreña
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille University, France
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Schoisswohl S, Arnds J, Schecklmann M, Langguth B, Schlee W, Neff P. Amplitude Modulated Noise for Tinnitus Suppression in Tonal and Noise-Like Tinnitus. Audiol Neurootol 2020; 24:309-321. [PMID: 31905364 DOI: 10.1159/000504593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The phenomenon of short-term tinnitus suppression by different forms of acoustic stimulation is referred to as residual inhibition (RI). RI can be triggered in the majority of tinnitus cases and was found to be depending on the used intensity, length or types of sounds. Past research already stressed the impact of noise stimulation as well as the superiority of amplitude modulated (AM) pure tones at the individual tinnitus frequency for RI in tonal tinnitus. Recently a novel approach for the determination of noise-like tinnitus characteristics was proposed. OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to investigate whether in participants with noise-like tinnitus RI can be increased by AM noise stimuli according to the individual tinnitus frequency range. METHODS For this purpose the individual tinnitus characteristics (noise-like and tonal tinnitus) of 29 people affected by tinnitus (mean age = 55.59, 7 females, mean tinnitus duration = 159.97 months) were assessed via customizable noise-band matching. The objective was to generate bandpass filtered stimuli according to the individual tinnitus sound (individualized bandpass filtered [IBP] sounds). Subsequently, various stimuli differing in bandpass filtering and AM were tested with respect to their potential to induce RI. Participants were acoustically stimulated with 7 different types of stimuli for 3 min each and had to rate the loudness of their tinnitus after each stimuli. RESULTS Results indicate a general efficacy of noise stimuli for the temporary suppression of tinnitus, but no significant differences between AM and unmodulated IBP. Significantly better effects were observed for the subgroup with noise-like tinnitus (n = 14), especially directly after stimulation offset. CONCLUSIONS The study at hand provides further insights in potential mechanisms behind RI for different types of tinnitus. Beyond that, derived principles may qualify for new or extend current tinnitus sound therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schoisswohl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Arnds
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Schecklmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Winfried Schlee
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Neff
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany, .,University Research Priority Program "Dynamics of Healthy Aging," University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland,
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28
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Maladaptive alterations of resting state cortical network in Tinnitus: A directed functional connectivity analysis of a larger MEG data set. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15452. [PMID: 31664058 PMCID: PMC6820754 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51747-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study used resting state MEG whole-head recordings to identify how chronic tonal tinnitus relates to altered functional connectivity of brain's intrinsic cortical networks. Resting state MEG activity of 40 chronic tinnitus patients and 40 matched human controls was compared identifying significant alterations in intrinsic networks of the tinnitus population. Directed functional connectivity of the resting brain, at a whole cortex level, was estimated by means of a statistical comparison of the estimated phase Transfer Entropy (pTE) between the time-series of cortical activations, as reconstructed by LORETA. As pTE identifies the direction of the information flow, a detailed analysis of the connectivity differences between tinnitus patients and controls was possible. Results indicate that the group of tinnitus patients show increased connectivity from right dorsal prefrontal to right medial temporal areas. Our results go beyond previous findings by indicating that the role of the left para-hippocampal area is dictated by a modulation from dmPFC; a region that is part of the dorsal attention network (DAN), as well as implicated in the regulation of emotional processing. Additionally, this whole cortex analysis showed a crucial role of the left inferior parietal cortex, which modulated the activity of the right superior temporal gyrus, providing new hypotheses for the role of this area within the context of current tinnitus models. Overall, these maladaptive alterations of the structure of intrinsic cortical networks show a decrease in efficiency and small worldness of the resting state network of tinnitus patients, which is correlated to tinnitus distress.
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Hébert S. Individual Reliability of the Standard Clinical Method vs Patient-Centered Tinnitus Likeness Rating for Assessment of Tinnitus Pitch and Loudness Matching. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019; 144:1136-1144. [PMID: 30267085 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2018.2416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Importance Current individualized sound therapies for tinnitus rely on tinnitus pitch assessment, which is commonly derived from the standard clinical 2-alternative forced-choice (2-AFC) approach driven by the examiner. However, this method is limited by lack of individual test-retest reliability and focuses on a single rather than multiple tinnitus frequencies. Objective To assess individual test-retest reliability of the 2-AFC, with a single final frequency (and corresponding loudness), and the tinnitus likeness rating (TLR), with the participant exposed to the entire audible frequency spectrum, from which 3 dominant frequencies and corresponding loudness were extracted. Design, Setting, and Participants In this case series, participants with tinnitus underwent testing twice with both methods at a 1-month interval by experienced clinicians from January 6 through March 17, 2017. Each clinician tested each patient only once at visit 1 or 2 in a university audiology training setting with standardized equipment and was blind to previous assessment. Participants with bilateral or unilateral chronic tinnitus for longer than 6 months, in good health, without total deafness in either ear, and without cerumen in the ear canal were recruited through advertisements (community and clinics) and word of mouth (volunteer sample). The audiologists were likewise participants in the planned comparison between TLR and 2-AFC in the test-retest measures. Main Outcomes and Measures Test-retest concordance with 95% CIs for each method, calculated as the proportion of participants with the same final frequency between the 2 visits (2-AFC) or with at least 1 concordant dominant frequency (TLR) as well as loudness differences of no greater than 10 dB. Results The study sample included 31 participants (55% men; mean [SD] age, 50.7 [13.7] years). For TLR, 26 of 31 participants had at least 1 concordant dominant frequency between the 2 visits (proportion, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.66-0.95), whereas for 2-AFC, 7 of 31 participants had a concordant final tinnitus pitch in either ear (proportion, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.10-0.41). Loudness reliability followed the same pattern, with more concordant loudness levels in the TLR (proportion, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.52-0.88) than in the 2-AFC (proportion, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.05-0.85). Mean time taken to complete the tests was less than 15 minutes, and general appreciation by participants with tinnitus and audiologists were overall similar for both. Conclusions and Relevance Superior test-retest concordance can be demonstrated at the individual level using the several dominant frequencies extracted from the patient-centered TLR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Hébert
- School of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Medicine, University de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,International Laboratory for Research on Brain, Music, and Sound, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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30
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Pienkowski M. Rationale and Efficacy of Sound Therapies for Tinnitus and Hyperacusis. Neuroscience 2019; 407:120-134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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31
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Yakunina N, Kim SS, Nam EC. BOLD fMRI effects of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in patients with chronic tinnitus. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207281. [PMID: 30485375 PMCID: PMC6261575 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a neuromodulation method used for treatment of epilepsy and depression. Transcutaneous VNS (tVNS) has been gaining popularity as a noninvasive alternative to VNS. Previous tVNS neuroimaging studies revealed brain (de)activation patterns that involved multiple areas implicated in tinnitus generation and perception. In this study, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to explore the effects of tVNS on brain activity in patients with tinnitus. Methods Thirty-six patients with chronic tinnitus received tVNS to the inner tragus, cymba conchae, and earlobe (sham stimulation). Results The locus coeruleus and nucleus of the solitary tract in the brainstem were activated in response to stimulation of both locations compared with the sham stimulation. The cochlear nuclei were also activated, which was not observed in healthy subjects with normal hearing. Multiple auditory and limbic structures, as well as other brain areas associated with generation and perception of tinnitus, were deactivated by tVNS, particularly the parahippocampal gyrus, which was recently speculated to cause tinnitus in hearing-impaired patients. Conclusions tVNS via the inner tragus or cymba conchae suppressed neural activity in the auditory, limbic, and other tinnitus-related non-auditory areas through auditory and vagal ascending pathways in tinnitus patients. The results from this study are discussed in the context of several existing models of tinnitus. They indicate that the mechanism of action of tVNS might be involved in multiple brain areas responsible for the generation of tinnitus, tinnitus-related emotional annoyance, and their mutual reinforcement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Yakunina
- Institute of Medical Science, Kangwon National University, School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sam Soo Kim
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Radiology, Kangwon National University, School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Eui-Cheol Nam
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Otolaryngology, Kangwon National University, School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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Manipulation of Auditory Inputs as Rehabilitation Therapy for Maladaptive Auditory Cortical Reorganization. Neural Plast 2018; 2018:2546250. [PMID: 29887880 PMCID: PMC5985139 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2546250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurophysiological and neuroimaging data suggest that the brains of not only children but also adults are reorganized based on sensory inputs and behaviors. Plastic changes in the brain are generally beneficial; however, maladaptive cortical reorganization in the auditory cortex may lead to hearing disorders such as tinnitus and hyperacusis. Recent studies attempted to noninvasively visualize pathological neural activity in the living human brain and reverse maladaptive cortical reorganization by the suitable manipulation of auditory inputs in order to alleviate detrimental auditory symptoms. The effects of the manipulation of auditory inputs on maladaptively reorganized brain were reviewed herein. The findings obtained indicate that rehabilitation therapy based on the manipulation of auditory inputs is an effective and safe approach for hearing disorders. The appropriate manipulation of sensory inputs guided by the visualization of pathological brain activities using recent neuroimaging techniques may contribute to the establishment of new clinical applications for affected individuals.
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Schilling A, Krauss P, Gerum R, Metzner C, Tziridis K, Schulze H. A New Statistical Approach for the Evaluation of Gap-prepulse Inhibition of the Acoustic Startle Reflex (GPIAS) for Tinnitus Assessment. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:198. [PMID: 29093668 PMCID: PMC5651238 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: An increasingly used behavioral paradigm for the objective assessment of a possible tinnitus percept in animal models has been proposed by Turner and coworkers in 2006. It is based on gap-prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle reflex (ASR) and usually referred to as GPIAS. As it does not require conditioning it became the method of choice to study neuroplastic phenomena associated with the development of tinnitus. Objective: It is still controversial if GPIAS is really appropriate for tinnitus screening, as the hypothesis that a tinnitus percept impairs the gap detection ability ("filling-in interpretation" is still questioned. Furthermore, a wide range of criteria for positive tinnitus detection in GPIAS have been used across different laboratories and there still is no consensus on a best practice for statistical evaluation of GPIAS results. Current approaches are often based on simple averaging of measured PPI values and comparisons on a population level without the possibility to perform valid statistics on the level of the single animal. Methods: A total number of 32 animals were measured using the standard GPIAS paradigm with varying number of measurement repetitions. Based on this data further statistical considerations were performed. Results: We here present a new statistical approach to overcome the methodological limitations of GPIAS. In a first step we show that ASR amplitudes are not normally distributed. Next we estimate the distribution of the measured PPI values by exploiting the full combinatorial power of all measured ASR amplitudes. We demonstrate that the amplitude ratios (1-PPI) are approximately lognormally distributed, allowing for parametrical testing of the logarithmized values and present a new statistical approach allowing for a valid and reliable statistical assessment of PPI changes in GPIAS. Conclusion: Based on our statistical approach we recommend using a constant criterion, which does not systematically depend on the number of measurement repetitions, in order to divide animals into a tinnitus and a non-tinnitus group. In particular, we recommend using a constant threshold based on the effect size as criterion, as the effect size, in contrast to the p-value, does not systematically depend on the number of measurement repetitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achim Schilling
- Experimental Otolaryngology, ENT Hospital, Head and Neck Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Biophysics Group, Department of Physics, Center for Medical Physics and Technology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Patrick Krauss
- Experimental Otolaryngology, ENT Hospital, Head and Neck Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Biophysics Group, Department of Physics, Center for Medical Physics and Technology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Richard Gerum
- Biophysics Group, Department of Physics, Center for Medical Physics and Technology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Claus Metzner
- Biophysics Group, Department of Physics, Center for Medical Physics and Technology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Konstantin Tziridis
- Experimental Otolaryngology, ENT Hospital, Head and Neck Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Holger Schulze
- Experimental Otolaryngology, ENT Hospital, Head and Neck Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Kim SY, Chang MY, Hong M, Yoo SG, Oh D, Park MK. Tinnitus therapy using tailor-made notched music delivered via a smartphone application and Ginko combined treatment: A pilot study. Auris Nasus Larynx 2017; 44:528-533. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Neff P, Michels J, Meyer M, Schecklmann M, Langguth B, Schlee W. 10 Hz Amplitude Modulated Sounds Induce Short-Term Tinnitus Suppression. Front Aging Neurosci 2017; 9:130. [PMID: 28579955 PMCID: PMC5437109 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Acoustic stimulation or sound therapy is proposed as a main treatment option for chronic subjective tinnitus. To further probe the field of acoustic stimulations for tinnitus therapy, this exploratory study compared 10 Hz amplitude modulated (AM) sounds (two pure tones, noise, music, and frequency modulated (FM) sounds) and unmodulated sounds (pure tone, noise) regarding their temporary suppression of tinnitus loudness. First, it was hypothesized that modulated sounds elicit larger temporary loudness suppression (residual inhibition) than unmodulated sounds. Second, with manipulation of stimulus loudness and duration of the modulated sounds weaker or stronger effects of loudness suppression were expected, respectively. Methods: We recruited 29 participants with chronic tonal tinnitus from the multidisciplinary Tinnitus Clinic of the University of Regensburg. Participants underwent audiometric, psychometric and tinnitus pitch matching assessments followed by an acoustic stimulation experiment with a tinnitus loudness growth paradigm. In a first block participants were stimulated with all of the sounds for 3 min each and rated their subjective tinnitus loudness to the pre-stimulus loudness every 30 s after stimulus offset. The same procedure was deployed in the second block with the pure tone AM stimuli matched to the tinnitus frequency, manipulated in length (6 min), and loudness (reduced by 30 dB and linear fade out). Repeated measures mixed model analyses of variance (ANOVA) were calculated to assess differences in loudness growth between the stimuli for each block separately. Results: First, we found that all sounds elicit a short-term suppression of tinnitus loudness (seconds to minutes) with strongest suppression right after stimulus offset [F(6, 1331) = 3.74, p < 0.01]. Second, similar to previous findings we found that AM sounds near the tinnitus frequency produce significantly stronger tinnitus loudness suppression than noise [vs. Pink noise: t(27) = -4.22, p < 0.0001]. Finally, variants of the AM sound matched to the tinnitus frequency reduced in sound level resulted in less suppression while there was no significant difference observed for a longer stimulation duration. Moreover, feasibility of the overall procedure could be confirmed as scores of both tinnitus loudness and questionnaires were lower after the experiment [tinnitus loudness: t(27) = 2.77, p < 0.01; Tinnitus Questionnaire: t(27) = 2.06, p < 0.05; Tinnitus Handicap Inventory: t(27) = 1.92, p = 0.065]. Conclusion: Taken together, these results imply that AM sounds, especially in or around the tinnitus frequency, may induce larger suppression than unmodulated sounds. Future studies should thus evaluate this approach in longitudinal studies and real life settings. Furthermore, the putative neural relation of these sound stimuli with a modulation rate in the EEG α band to the observed tinnitus suppression should be probed with respective neurophysiological methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Neff
- Neuroplasticity and Learning in the Healthy Aging Brain (HAB LAB), Department of Psychology, University of ZurichZurich, Switzerland.,University Research Priority Program "Dynamics of Healthy Aging", University of ZurichZurich, Switzerland
| | - Jakob Michels
- Department of Medicine, University of RegensburgRegensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Meyer
- Neuroplasticity and Learning in the Healthy Aging Brain (HAB LAB), Department of Psychology, University of ZurichZurich, Switzerland.,University Research Priority Program "Dynamics of Healthy Aging", University of ZurichZurich, Switzerland.,Cognitive Psychology Unit, University of KlagenfurtKlagenfurt, Austria
| | - Martin Schecklmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of RegensburgRegensburg, Germany
| | - Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of RegensburgRegensburg, Germany
| | - Winfried Schlee
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of RegensburgRegensburg, Germany
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36
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Kim TS, Yakunina N, Ryu YJ, Chung IJ, Nam EC. Self-Administered Tinnitus Pitch Matching versus a Conventional Audiometric Procedure. Audiol Neurootol 2017; 22:1-8. [DOI: 10.1159/000465512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Obtaining an accurate tinnitus pitch match is an initial and critical requirement for tinnitus evaluation and treatment, particularly for applying tailor-made notched music training. We investigated whether computer-based self-administered tinnitus pitch matching (CSTPM) is comparable with a conventional audiometric procedure (CAP). Methods: In total, 82 patients (mean age 45.52 years; 42 females) with tonal tinnitus participated. The CAP was performed by the same audiologist using a 2-alternative forced choice method with a frequency range of 0.25-16 kHz. In the CSTPM, the subjects used personal computer software with a scrolling slider to select the sound closest to their tinnitus pitch. After each matching procedure, an octave challenge test was applied. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine factors associated with the difference between the CSTPM and CAP. Results: The subjects' mean hearing threshold was 21.25 ± 17.61 dB HL; the mean tinnitus handicap inventory score was 35.56 ± 24.09. The mean pitches measured with the CSTPM and CAP were 6.29 ± 4.30 and 6.98 ± 5.33 kHz, respectively. In total, 57 (69.5%) subjects matched their tinnitus with less than half an octave difference between the procedures. The results of the 2 methods correlated significantly with each other (Pearson r = 0.793, p < 0.001). Octave confusion was a significant factor affecting the difference between the procedures (odds ratio 8.92, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The CSTPM appears to be as accurate as the standard audiological procedure, and may be used instead of the CAP when octave confusion is minimized.
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Chung WW, Hudziak JJ. The Transitional Age Brain: "The Best of Times and the Worst of Times". Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2017; 26:157-175. [PMID: 28314448 DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2016.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, there have been substantial developments in the understanding of brain development and the importance of environmental inputs and context. This paper focuses on the neurodevelopmental mismatch that occurs during the epoch we term the 'transitional age brain' (ages 13-25) and the collateral behavioral correlates. We summarize research findings supporting the argument that, because of this neurodevelopmental mismatch, transitional age youth are at high risk for engaging in behaviors that lead to negative outcomes, morbidity, and mortality. We highlight the need to develop new, neuroscience-inspired health promotion and illness prevention approaches for transitional age youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winston W Chung
- Vermont Center for Children, Youth, and Family, University of Vermont Medical Center, 1 South Prospect Street, Arnold 3, Burlington, Vermont 05401, USA
| | - James J Hudziak
- University of Vermont College of Medicine and Medical Center, 1 South Prospect Street, Arnold 3, Burlington, Vermont 05401, USA.
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Hesse G. Evidence and evidence gaps in tinnitus therapy. GMS CURRENT TOPICS IN OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY, HEAD AND NECK SURGERY 2016; 15:Doc04. [PMID: 28025604 PMCID: PMC5169077 DOI: 10.3205/cto000131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
A nearly endless number of procedures has been tried and in particular sold for the treatment of tinnitus, unfortunately they have not been evaluated appropriately in an evidence-based way. A causal therapy, omitting the tinnitus still does not exist, actually it cannot exist because of the various mechanisms of its origin. However or perhaps because of that, medical interventions appear and reappear like fashion trends that can never be proven by stable and reliable treatment success. This contribution will discuss and acknowledge all current therapeutic procedures and the existing or non-existing evidence will be assessed. Beside external evidence, the term of evidence also encompasses the internal evidence, i.e. the experience of the treating physician and the patient's needs shall be included. While there is no evidence for nearly all direct procedures that intend modulating or stimulating either the cochlea or specific cervical regions such as the auditory cortex, there are therapeutic procedures that are acknowledged in clinical practice and have achieved at least a certain degree of evidence and generate measurable effect sizes. Those are in particular habituation therapy and psychotherapeutic measures, especially if they are combined with concrete measures for improved audio perception (hearing aids, CI, hearing therapies).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Hesse
- Tinnitus-Klinik, Bad Arolsen, Germany; University of Witten-Herdecke, Germany
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Mulders WHAM, Spencer TC, Robertson D. Effects of pulsatile electrical stimulation of the round window on central hyperactivity after cochlear trauma in guinea pig. Hear Res 2016; 335:128-137. [PMID: 26970475 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2016.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Partial hearing loss induced by acoustic trauma has been shown in animal models to result in an increased spontaneous firing rate in central auditory structures. This so-called hyperactivity has been suggested to be involved in the generation of tinnitus, a phantom auditory sensation. Although there is no universal cure for tinnitus, electrical stimulation of the cochlea, as achieved by a cochlear implant, can result in significant reduction of the tinnitus percept. However, the mechanism by which this tinnitus suppression occurs is as yet unknown and furthermore cochlear implantation may not be an optimal treatment option for tinnitus sufferers who are not profoundly deaf. A better understanding of the mechanism of tinnitus suppression by electrical stimulation of the cochlea, may lead to the development of more specialised devices for those for whom a cochlear implant is not appropriate. This study aimed to investigate the effects of electrical stimulation in the form of brief biphasic shocks delivered to the round window of the cochlea on the spontaneous firing rates of hyperactive inferior colliculus neurons following acoustic trauma in guinea pigs. Effects during the stimulation itself included both inhibition and excitation but spontaneous firing was suppressed for up to hundreds of ms after the cessation of the shock train in all sampled hyperactive neurons. Pharmacological block of olivocochlear efferent action on outer hair cells did not eliminate the prolonged suppression observed in inferior colliculus neurons, and it is therefore likely that activation of the afferent pathways is responsible for the central effects observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- W H A M Mulders
- The Auditory Laboratory, School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009, Australia.
| | - T C Spencer
- The Auditory Laboratory, School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009, Australia
| | - D Robertson
- The Auditory Laboratory, School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009, Australia
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Engell A, Junghöfer M, Stein A, Lau P, Wunderlich R, Wollbrink A, Pantev C. Modulatory Effects of Attention on Lateral Inhibition in the Human Auditory Cortex. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149933. [PMID: 26901149 PMCID: PMC4763022 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Reduced neural processing of a tone is observed when it is presented after a sound whose spectral range closely frames the frequency of the tone. This observation might be explained by the mechanism of lateral inhibition (LI) due to inhibitory interneurons in the auditory system. So far, several characteristics of bottom up influences on LI have been identified, while the influence of top-down processes such as directed attention on LI has not been investigated. Hence, the study at hand aims at investigating the modulatory effects of focused attention on LI in the human auditory cortex. In the magnetoencephalograph, we present two types of masking sounds (white noise vs. withe noise passing through a notch filter centered at a specific frequency), followed by a test tone with a frequency corresponding to the center-frequency of the notch filter. Simultaneously, subjects were presented with visual input on a screen. To modulate the focus of attention, subjects were instructed to concentrate either on the auditory input or the visual stimuli. More specific, on one half of the trials, subjects were instructed to detect small deviations in loudness in the masking sounds while on the other half of the trials subjects were asked to detect target stimuli on the screen. The results revealed a reduction in neural activation due to LI, which was larger during auditory compared to visual focused attention. Attentional modulations of LI were observed in two post-N1m time intervals. These findings underline the robustness of reduced neural activation due to LI in the auditory cortex and point towards the important role of attention on the modulation of this mechanism in more evaluative processing stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alva Engell
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Markus Junghöfer
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Alwina Stein
- Institute for Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Pia Lau
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Robert Wunderlich
- Institute for Physiological Psychology, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Andreas Wollbrink
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Christo Pantev
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Arts RAGJ, George ELJ, Griessner A, Zierhofer C, Stokroos RJ. Tinnitus Suppression by Intracochlear Electrical Stimulation in Single-Sided Deafness: A Prospective Clinical Trial - Part I. Audiol Neurootol 2015; 20:294-313. [PMID: 26227468 DOI: 10.1159/000381936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 03/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cochlear implantation is a viable treatment option for tinnitus, but the underlying mechanism is yet unclear. Is the tinnitus suppression due to the reversal of the assumed maladaptive neuroplasticity or is it the shift in attention from the tinnitus to environmental sounds and therefore a reduced awareness that reduces tinnitus perception? In this prospective trial, 10 patients with single-sided deafness were fitted with a cochlear implant to investigate the effect of looped intracochlear electrical stimulation (i.e. stimulation that does not encode environmental sounds) on tinnitus, in an effort to find optimal stimulation parameters. Variables under investigation were: amplitude (perceived stimulus loudness), anatomical location inside the cochlea (electrode/electrodes), amplitude modulation, polarity (cathodic/anodic first biphasic stimulation) and stimulation rate. The results suggest that tinnitus can be reduced with looped electrical stimulation, in some cases even with inaudible stimuli. The optimal stimuli for tinnitus suppression appear to be subject specific. However, medium-to-loud stimuli suppress tinnitus significantly better than soft stimuli, which partly can be explained by the masking effect. Although the long-term effects on tinnitus would still have to be investigated and will be described in part II, intracochlear electrical stimulation seems a potential treatment option for tinnitus in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remo A G J Arts
- Department of ENT/Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Noreña AJ. Revisiting the cochlear and central mechanisms of tinnitus and therapeutic approaches. Audiol Neurootol 2015; 20 Suppl 1:53-9. [PMID: 25997584 DOI: 10.1159/000380749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This short review aims at revisiting some of the putative mechanisms of tinnitus. Cochlear-type tinnitus is suggested to result from aberrant activity generated before or at the cochlear nerve level. It is proposed that outer hair cells, through their role in regulating the endocochlear potential, can contribute to the enhancement of cochlear spontaneous activity. This hypothesis is attractive as it provides a possible explanation for cochlear tinnitus of different aetiologies, such as tinnitus produced by acute noise trauma, intense low-frequency sounds, middle-ear dysfunction or temporomandibular joint disorders. Other mechanisms, namely an excitatory drift in the operating point of the inner hair cells and activation of NMDA receptors, are also briefly reported. Central-type tinnitus is supposed to result from aberrant activity generated in auditory centres, i.e. in these patients, the tinnitus-related activity does not pre-exist in the cochlear nerve. A reduction in cochlear activity due to hearing loss is suggested to produce tinnitus-related plastic changes, namely cortical reorganisation, thalamic neuron hyperpolarisation, facilitation of non-auditory inputs and/or increase in central gain. These central changes can be associated with abnormal patterns of spontaneous activity in the auditory pathway, i.e. hyperactivity, hypersynchrony and/or oscillating activity. Therapeutic approaches aimed at reducing cochlear activity and/or tinnitus-related central changes are discussed.
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Stein A, Engell A, Lau P, Wunderlich R, Junghoefer M, Wollbrink A, Bruchmann M, Rudack C, Pantev C. Enhancing Inhibition-Induced Plasticity in Tinnitus – Spectral Energy Contrasts in Tailor-Made Notched Music Matter. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126494. [PMID: 25951605 PMCID: PMC4423974 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic tinnitus seems to be caused by reduced inhibition among frequency selective neurons in the auditory cortex. One possibility to reduce tinnitus perception is to induce inhibition onto over-activated neurons representing the tinnitus frequency via tailor-made notched music (TMNM). Since lateral inhibition is modifiable by spectral energy contrasts, the question arises if the effects of inhibition-induced plasticity can be enhanced by introducing increased spectral energy contrasts (ISEC) in TMNM. Eighteen participants suffering from chronic tonal tinnitus, pseudo randomly assigned to either a classical TMNM or an ISEC-TMNM group, listened to notched music for three hours on three consecutive days. The music was filtered for both groups by introducing a notch filter centered at the individual tinnitus frequency. For the ISEC-TMNM group a frequency bandwidth of 3/8 octaves on each side of the notch was amplified, additionally, by about 20 dB. Before and after each music exposure, participants rated their subjectively perceived tinnitus loudness on a visual analog scale. During the magnetoencephalographic recordings, participants were stimulated with either a reference tone of 500 Hz or a test tone with a carrier frequency representing the individual tinnitus pitch. Perceived tinnitus loudness was significantly reduced after TMNM exposure, though TMNM type did not influence the loudness ratings. Tinnitus related neural activity in the N1m time window and in the so called tinnitus network comprising temporal, parietal and frontal regions was reduced after TMNM exposure. The ISEC-TMNM group revealed even enhanced inhibition-induced plasticity in a temporal and a frontal cortical area. Overall, inhibition of tinnitus related neural activity could be strengthened in people affected with tinnitus by increasing spectral energy contrast in TMNM, confirming the concepts of inhibition-induced plasticity via TMNM and spectral energy contrasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alwina Stein
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Alva Engell
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Pia Lau
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Robert Wunderlich
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Markus Junghoefer
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Andreas Wollbrink
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Maximilian Bruchmann
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Claudia Rudack
- Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital, Muenster, Germany
| | - Christo Pantev
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Stein A, Engell A, Junghoefer M, Wunderlich R, Lau P, Wollbrink A, Rudack C, Pantev C. Inhibition-induced plasticity in tinnitus patients after repetitive exposure to tailor-made notched music. Clin Neurophysiol 2015; 126:1007-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2014.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Revised: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Hoare DJ, Edmondson-Jones M, Gander PE, Hall DA. Agreement and reliability of tinnitus loudness matching and pitch likeness rating. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114553. [PMID: 25478690 PMCID: PMC4257689 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to reproducibly match tinnitus loudness and pitch is important to research and clinical management. Here we examine agreement and reliability of tinnitus loudness matching and pitch likeness ratings when using a computer-based method to measure the tinnitus spectrum and estimate a dominant tinnitus pitch, using tonal or narrowband sounds. Group level data indicated a significant effect of time between test session 1 and 2 for loudness matching, likely procedural or perceptual learning, which needs to be accounted in study design. Pitch likeness rating across multiple frequencies appeared inherently more variable and with no systematic effect of time. Dominant pitch estimates reached a level of clinical acceptability when sessions were spaced two weeks apart. However when dominant tinnitus pitch assessments were separated by three months, acceptable agreement was achieved only for group mean data, not for individual estimates. This has implications for prescription of some sound-based interventions that rely on accurate measures of individual dominant tinnitus pitch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek J. Hoare
- National Institute for Health Research, Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Otology and Hearing Group, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Edmondson-Jones
- National Institute for Health Research, Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Otology and Hearing Group, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Phillip E. Gander
- National Institute for Health Research, Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Deborah A. Hall
- National Institute for Health Research, Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Otology and Hearing Group, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Playing and listening to tailor-made notched music: cortical plasticity induced by unimodal and multimodal training in tinnitus patients. Neural Plast 2014; 2014:516163. [PMID: 24895541 PMCID: PMC4034718 DOI: 10.1155/2014/516163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Revised: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. The generation and maintenance of tinnitus are assumed to be based on maladaptive functional cortical reorganization. Listening to modified music, which contains no energy in the range of the individual tinnitus frequency, can inhibit the corresponding neuronal activity in the auditory cortex. Music making has been shown to be a powerful stimulator for brain plasticity, inducing changes in multiple sensory systems. Using magnetoencephalographic (MEG) and behavioral measurements we evaluated the cortical plasticity effects of two months of (a) active listening to (unisensory) versus (b) learning to play (multisensory) tailor-made notched music in nonmusician tinnitus patients. Taking into account the fact that uni- and multisensory trainings induce different patterns of cortical plasticity we hypothesized that these two protocols will have different affects. Results. Only the active listening (unisensory) group showed significant reduction of tinnitus related activity of the middle temporal cortex and an increase in the activity of a tinnitus-coping related posterior parietal area. Conclusions. These findings indicate that active listening to tailor-made notched music induces greater neuroplastic changes in the maladaptively reorganized cortical network of tinnitus patients while additional integration of other sensory modalities during training reduces these neuroplastic effects.
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Pantev C, Rudack C, Stein A, Wunderlich R, Engell A, Lau P, Wollbrink A, Shaykevich A. Study protocol: Münster tinnitus randomized controlled clinical trial-2013 based on tailor-made notched music training (TMNMT). BMC Neurol 2014; 14:40. [PMID: 24581050 PMCID: PMC3942518 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2377-14-40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tinnitus is a result of hyper-activity/hyper-synchrony of auditory neurons coding the tinnitus frequency, which has developed to synchronous mass activity owing the lack of inhibition. We assume that removal of exactly these frequency components from an auditory stimulus will cause the brain to reorganize around tonotopic regions coding the tinnitus frequency. Based on this assumption a novel treatment for tonal tinnitus - tailor-made notched music training (TMNMT) (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 107:1207–1210, 2010; Ann N Y Acad Sci 1252:253–258, 2012; Frontiers Syst Neurosci 6:50, 2012) has been introduced and will be tested in this clinical trial on a large number of tinnitus patients. Methods and design A randomized controlled trial (RCT) in parallel group design will be performed in a double-blinded manner. The choice of the intervention we are going to apply is based on two “proof of concept” studies in humans (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 107:1207–1210, 2010; Ann N Y Acad Sci 1252:253–258, 2012; Frontiers Syst Neurosci 6:50, 2012; PloS One 6(9):e24685, 2011) and on a recent animal study (Front Syst Neurosci 7:21, 2013). The RCT includes 100 participants with chronic, tonal tinnitus who listened to tailor-made notched music (TMNM) for two hours a day for three months. The effect of TMNMT is assessed by the tinnitus handicap questionnaire and visual analogue scales (VAS) measuring perceived tinnitus loudness, distress and handicap. Discussion This is the first randomized controlled trial applying TMNMT on a larger number of patients with tonal tinnitus. Our data will verify more securely and reliably the effectiveness of this kind of completely non-invasive and low-cost treatment approach on tonal tinnitus. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials
ISRCTN04840953
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Affiliation(s)
- Christo Pantev
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University of Münster, Malmedyweg 15, 48149 Münster, Germany.
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Combining transcranial direct current stimulation and tailor-made notched music training to decrease tinnitus-related distress--a pilot study. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89904. [PMID: 24587113 PMCID: PMC3934956 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Accepted: 01/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The central auditory system has a crucial role in tinnitus generation and maintenance. Curative treatments for tinnitus do not yet exist. However, recent attempts in the therapeutic application of both acoustic stimulation/training procedures and electric/magnetic brain stimulation techniques have yielded promising results. Here, for the first time we combined tailor-made notched music training (TMNMT) with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in an effort to modulate TMNMT efficacy in the treatment of 32 patients with tonal tinnitus and without severe hearing loss. TMNMT is characterized by regular listening to so-called notched music, which is generated by digitally removing the frequency band of one octave width centered at the individual tinnitus frequency. TMNMT was applied for 10 subsequent days (2.5 hours of daily treatment). During the initial 5 days of treatment and the initial 30 minutes of TMNMT sessions, tDCS (current strength: 2 mA; anodal (N = 10) vs. cathodal (N = 11) vs. sham (N = 11) groups) was applied simultaneously. The active electrode was placed on the head surface over left auditory cortex; the reference electrode was put over right supra-orbital cortex. To evaluate treatment outcome, tinnitus-related distress and perceived tinnitus loudness were assessed using standardized tinnitus questionnaires and a visual analogue scale. The results showed a significant treatment effect reflected in the Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire that was largest after 5 days of treatment. This effect remained significant at the end of follow-up 31 days after treatment cessation. Crucially, tDCS did not significantly modulate treatment efficacy - it did not make a difference whether anodal, cathodal, or sham tDCS was applied. Possible explanations for the findings and functional modifications of the experimental design for future studies (e.g. the selection of control conditions) are discussed.
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Lehtimäki J, Hyvärinen P, Ylikoski M, Bergholm M, Mäkelä JP, Aarnisalo A, Pirvola U, Mäkitie A, Ylikoski J. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in tinnitus: a pilot study. Acta Otolaryngol 2013; 133:378-82. [PMID: 23237096 DOI: 10.3109/00016489.2012.750736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
CONCLUSIONS This pilot study shows that transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS), if combined with sound therapy (ST), reduces the severity of tinnitus and tinnitus-associated distress. Our magnetoencephalography (MEG) results show that auditory cortical activation can be modulated by the application of tVNS. Thus, tVNS might offer a new avenue to treat tinnitus and tinnitus-associated distress. OBJECTIVES Recent studies suggest that tinnitus can be improved by tailored ST or by VNS plus ST. Our aims were to study whether tVNS has therapeutic effects on patients with tinnitus and, additionally, if tVNS has effects on acoustically evoked neuronal activity of the auditory cortex. METHODS The clinical efficacy was studied by a short-term tVNS plus ST trial in 10 patients with tinnitus using disease-specific and general well-being questionnaires. tVNS was delivered to the left tragus. The acute effects of tVNS were evaluated in eight patients in the MEG study in which the N1m response was analyzed in terms of source level amplitude and latency in the presence or absence of tVNS. RESULTS The treatment with tVNS plus ST produced improved mood and decreased tinnitus handicap scores, indicating reduced tinnitus severity. The application of tVNS decreased the amplitude of auditory N1m responses in both hemispheres.
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