A breakthrough treatment for tinnitus could finally be on the way
Researchers believe they may have found a remedy to alleviate symptoms of the condition, which is thought to impact around seven million people in the UK
Researchers in the UK may have discovered a treatment for the symptoms of tinnitus.
A new form of sound therapy could help millions in the UK who suffer with loud and painful ringing, throbbing, and buzzing in the ears, experts have said following a trial led by Newcastle University.
The sound therapy treatment comes in the form of a mobile app, making it widely accessible for those who experience tinnitus symptoms – predicted to be around seven million people in the UK, according to hearing loss charity RNID.
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With funding from the RNID, Newcastle University researchers trialled the treatment on 77 people with tinnitus, making small changes to synthetic musical notes for one group, and giving the second group placebo frequencies.
Those trialled listened to sounds for an hour a day for six weeks, followed by a three-week break. They then switched groups over for another six-week trial period.
“At the moment, there aren't really very good treatments to get rid of the tinnitus sound, and it's all about helping people disengage and learn to live better with the symptom,” Dr Will Sedley, a researcher at Newcastle University told Sky News.
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He added that those who listened to “active” sounds as opposed to placebo ones saw a “significant” quieting of their tinnitus, down by around 10% on average.
That quieting lasted for three weeks after the trial had finished, researchers said, who hope that the treatment could be developed upon with “different modifications”.
"If we could build this into the normal, listening to music, talk radio, and podcasts people are doing anyway, they could rack up hours and hours of listening every day,” Sedley said.
Around one in seven adults in the UK experience tinnitus, according to the RNID. Revisit Mixmag's Tinnitus Awareness Week editorial series for help, information, and more around the symptoms and effects of tinnitus.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor, follow her on Twitter
