A Vow To Vex Alzheimer’s Disease

A New Trial Explores an Old Compound for New Cases of Severe Tinnitus

A new clinical trial is investigating a unique treatment for a stubborn problem: tinnitus that begins or worsens after long COVID or a COVID-19 vaccine injury. The study, now preparing to recruit participants, will test a therapy based on dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). For patients whose ringing in the ears has resisted at least two standard treatments, this pilot offers a new direction.

The Trial Design: Dual-Route DMSO Delivery

This is a single-arm, open-label pilot study. All 20 enrolled participants will receive the same intervention for 30 days. The therapy has two parts. First, a DMSO-based liquid is instilled into the ear canal every four days. Second, a DMSO-based cream is applied to the skin around the ears and upper neck once daily at bedtime. A licensed compounding pharmacy prepares both formulations.

The main question researchers will answer is whether at least half of the participants achieve a 50% or greater reduction in their Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score from the start of the study to Day 30. The team will also track changes in perceived loudness and annoyance, sleep and concentration problems, and associated symptoms like vertigo and headache. They will monitor for any side effects.

Who Can Participate

The trial targets a specific group. Eligible participants are adults aged 18 to 70 who have had bothersome, chronic subjective tinnitus for at least six months. Their tinnitus must be linked to a documented case of long COVID (post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2) or a post-COVID-19 vaccine injury, with the symptom starting or clearly worsening after that event.

A key criterion is that the tinnitus has not responded to at least two prior therapies, such as sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or medications. After an initial in-person ear, nose, and throat evaluation, all study visits and follow-up questionnaires over 12 months are completed remotely using a secure, telemedicine platform.

The Scientific Rationale Behind DMSO

DMSO is a solvent derived from trees. It has known anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasodilatory properties. It also acts as a penetration enhancer, potentially helping other compounds reach target tissues. Researchers hypothesize that tinnitus in long COVID and vaccine injury may involve neuroinflammation, microvascular dysfunction, and oxidative stress in auditory pathways.

The concept of using DMSO for tinnitus is not entirely new. An open-label study in the 1970s reported that DMSO-based formulations improved or resolved subjective tinnitus in most patients. However, that historical approach was never rigorously tested in modern trials. This study aims to systematically evaluate a modernized version of that concept in a defined, treatment-resistant population.

What This Means for Patients and Hearing Health

There is no FDA-approved drug to cure chronic subjective tinnitus. Standard management focuses on coping strategies rather than eliminating the perception of sound. For the subset of patients whose tinnitus is linked to long COVID or vaccine injury, options are even more limited.

This pilot trial represents a direct attempt to find a pharmacologic treatment for these specific cases. If successful, it could provide a template for treating tinnitus rooted in inflammatory or vascular dysfunction. It also demonstrates a model for conducting specialized treatment trials using telemedicine, making participation easier for patients with chronic health conditions. The results will determine whether a larger, controlled trial is warranted.

This article is for informational purposes only. Consult a qualified professional for personalised advice.

Source:
DMSO Dual-Route Therapy for Refractory Tinnitus in Long-COVID and Post-COVID-19 Vaccine Injury (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07567274)