A device similar to the iPod may help victims of tinnitus hear a little better and suppress chronic ringing, according to scientists. Out of 4 patients who had the device for several months as part of the experiment, 3 saw reduced symptoms.
The device works by “switching off” tense nerve cells in the hearing region of the brain. When turned on, the device plays a series of tones tuned exactly to the ringing in the victim’s ears. Research has been published in the Restorative Neurology & Neuroscience journal confirming the product’s effect.
During the experiment, the device was switched on anywhere from 4-6 hours a day on patients. A test was also administered based on the severity of the symptoms. Out of the 63 patients who took part in the trial for a period of 12 weeks, three quarters of the patients said they experienced a 50-percent drop in symptoms.
The most promising results came from those who wore the device for 6 hours a day. Even after they stopped using the device, patients continued to benefit. 10 months down the line, a follow-up treatment revealed that the patients who used the device for maintenance therapy still benefited from the device. After studying brain waves of patients suffering from the disorder, scientists discovered reversal patterns clearly proving that the device works.
With over 600,000 suffering from the disorder in the UK, the CR device helps relieve the symptoms dramatically.
According to David Stockdale of British Tinnitus Association, this first trial is encouraging and interesting and they look forward to the second phase of the trial, which will include an even larger research group.
Edited by
Braden Becker
