Journal article
An Exploratory Study of Bimodal Electro-Aural Stimulation Through the Ear Canals for Tinnitus
American journal of audiology, Vol.33(2), pp.455-464
06/2024
DOI: 10.1044/2024_AJA-23-00144
PMID: 38564491
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the potential for bimodal auditory and noninvasive electrical stimulation at the ears to alleviate tonal, somatic tinnitus that was investigated in a small preliminary trial (11 participants).
Auditory stimulation took the form of short "notched noise" bursts customized to each participant's tinnitus percept. Simultaneous pulsed electrical stimulation, intended to facilitate neuroplasticity, was delivered via hydrogel electrodes placed in opposite ears.
After a 6-week intervention period, average Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) and Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire (TPFQ) scores were consistent with clinically meaningful improvements in the study population. Magnitudes and effect sizes of improvements in TFI and TPFQ are comparable to those reported in other recent bimodal therapy studies using different auditory and electrical stimulation parameters.
Our results should be considered preliminary given the small sample size, lack of crossover data, and small subject pool. When considered alongside other recent bimodal therapy results, we do believe that there are therapeutic benefits of bimodal stimulation for tinnitus sufferers that have the potential to help some with tinnitus, with a variety of stimulation parameters and electrode placements.
https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.25444546.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- An Exploratory Study of Bimodal Electro-Aural Stimulation Through the Ear Canals for Tinnitus
- Creators
- Richard S Tyler - University of IowaLeonard Varghese - Bose (United States)Adam C Furman - Bose (United States)Kimberly Snell - University of IowaHelena Ji - University of IowaWilliam M Rabinowitz - Bose (United States)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journal of audiology, Vol.33(2), pp.455-464
- DOI
- 10.1044/2024_AJA-23-00144
- PMID
- 38564491
- NLM abbreviation
- Am J Audiol
- ISSN
- 1059-0889
- eISSN
- 1558-9137
- Publisher
- AMER SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING ASSOC
- Grant note
Bose Corporation provided funding for this study. The authors would like to thank John Trotter and Christian Trott for their work to design the stimulator prototypes and iOS application, respectively; the members of the Bose Corporate Concepts Group and Rapid Design Engineering teams for manufacturing and assembling the custom electronics, earbuds, and ear tips for the prototypes used in this study; and Kathleen Krisch, Keith Martin, Chris Miller, and Andrew Sabin for management support.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 04/02/2024
- Date published
- 06/2024
- Academic Unit
- Communication Sciences and Disorders; Otolaryngology; University College Courses
- Record Identifier
- 9984583159402771
Metrics
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