Research Review
Blast-Induced Tinnitus and Spontaneous Firing Changes in the Rat Dorsal Cochlear Nucleus
Journal of Neuroscience Research (June 2014) H. Luo, E. Pace, X. Zhang, J. Zhang
Exposure to a high-pressure concussive blast is a known catalyst for tinnitus. However, it is unknown whether this trigger causes the same neurophysi- ological changes as noise-induced tinnitus. Through extensive neural research on rats with tinnitus, the authors determined that the neural mechanisms underlying blast-induced tinnitus are substantially different from those underlying noise-induced tin- nitus. This is an important finding, as it suggests the two different types of tinnitus will require different therapeutic treatments.
Study of the Relationship between the Degree of Tinnitus Annoyance and the Presence of Hyperacusis
Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology (January – February 2014) A.C. Guimarães, G.M. Carvalho, M.M. Voltolini, C.E. Zappelini, R. Mezzalira, G. Stoler, J.R. Paschoal
Some researchers believe that hyperacusis is a precur- sor and indicator of future bothersome tinnitus. This study of 309 tinnitus patients found that 18.4% of the study group also struggled with hyperacusis. However, there appeared to be no correlation between hyper- acusis and the degree of annoyance caused by tinnitus. In other words, hyperacusis did not measurably make patients’ tinnitus worse.
Current and Experimental Treatments
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus: Evidence and Efficacy
Korean Journal of Audiology (December 2013) H.J. Jun, M.K. Park
This Korean-based study explored the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in managing tinnitus. CBT aims not to eliminate the auditory per- ception of the tinnitus sound, but rather to reduce the patient’s negative response to tinnitus. After reviewing the extensive literature and clinical studies related to CBT, the researchers conclude that it is an effective and safe treatment for tinnitus.
Associated Conditions
Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Comorbid Conditions for Ménière’s Disease Ear and Hearing (April 2014) J.S. Tyrrell, D.J. Whinney, O.C. Ukoumunne, L.E. Fleming, N.J. Osborne
The authors of this paper examined data from 1376 self-reported Ménière’s patients and 500,000 patients without Ménière’s to look for correlations in who was more likely to experience the condition. They found that Ménière’s was more prevalent in the elderly, with women, with Caucasians, and in patients with high body-mass indices. They also discovered that Ménière’s patients were more likely to report co-mor- bid conditions related to allergies, immune dysfunc- tion, autonomic dysfunction, and poor mental health.
Combining Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Tailor-Made Notched Music Training to Decrease Tinnitus-Related Distress - A Pilot Study
PLoS One (February 2014) H. Teismann, A. Wollbring, H. Okamoto, G. Schlaug, C. Rudack, C. Pantev
This study explored the efficacy of combining elec- tronic brain stimulation (tDCS) with “notched tones”— music generated by digitally removing the frequency band of one octave-width around the patient’s tinnitus frequency. The results showed a significant improve- ment in tinnitus-related distress and perceived loud- ness. However, the tDCS component of the treatment did not significantly impact outcomes; patients reported improved conditions whether they received the real brain stimulation or the sham control electrodes.
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Tinnitus Today | Summer 2014
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