Tinnitus, a ringing in the ears, can be a debilitating problem for those who suffer from it. However, a team of researchers has discovered a potential solution to this issue.
The survey results have been published in the magazine Frontiers of audiology and otology, and an international research team can effectively reduce symptoms in just a few weeks with an app that includes sound therapy and various training courses. The study involved 30 people with tinnitus, and almost two-thirds of them experienced “clinically significant improvement” from using the app. The team will now conduct a large-scale trial in the UK in collaboration with University College London Hospital. According to Suzanne Purdy, Waipapa Taumata Rau Professor of Psychology at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, cognitive behavioral therapy is known to help people suffering from tinnitus, but it is expensive and often difficult to access.
“[The app] Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and sound therapy can be combined to train your brain’s responses and reduce tinnitus. The sounds you perceive fade into the background and become less noticeable.”
The new app aims to tune out the sound of tinnitus, giving the mind and body tools to suppress stress hormones and responses, and reduce the brain’s tendency to focus on the sound. The Mindear app is currently available for download for Apple and Android users. Some features are free in the app, but many are locked behind a paywall after a 7-day free trial (requires a £13 monthly subscription). Another app, the sound tinnitus app, is currently undergoing clinical trials in the UK.
About 1.5 million people in Australia, 4 million in the UK and 20 million in the US suffer from severe tinnitus, according to Dr. Fabrice Bardy, an audiologist at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, and lead author of the study published in the journal Frontiers of audiology and otology. He adds, “One of the most common misconceptions about tinnitus is that there’s nothing you can do about it; you just have to live with it. This is simply not true. Tinnitus Support Expertise The support of professionals with knowledge and expertise can reduce the fear and anxiety associated with a healthy patient experience.”
Tinnitus itself is not a disease, but is usually a symptom of another underlying health condition, such as damage to the auditory system or tension in the head and neck. While there is no known cure for tinnitus, management strategies and techniques can help patients. For more information, please visit the provided links.
Source: www.sciencefocus.com
