Functional connectivity within key brain networks decreases in individuals with tinnitus and falls further when posttraumatic stress disorder is also present. This is the central finding of a 2026 neuroimaging study published in *Human Brain Mapping* by a large consortium of researchers led by John C. Moring and Fatima T. Husain. The research, which included…
A 2026 study published in *Human Brain Mapping* has found that veterans with both tinnitus and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) show a specific, additive decrease in functional brain connectivity compared to those with tinnitus alone. The research, led by John C. Moring, Fatima T. Husain, and colleagues from the STRONG STAR Consortium, provides a neurobiological…
A pilot study from the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research has demonstrated that the effectiveness of a noninvasive neck stimulation therapy is highly dependent on personalized settings. The research, led by Shubham Debnath and Stavros Zanos, shows that a one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to work for transcutaneous cervical electrical stimulation (TCES), which modulates the autonomic…
A new systematic review protocol aims to resolve conflicting evidence on the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ta-VNS) for tinnitus. The protocol, published in *BMJ Open* in May 2024 by Lin and colleagues, will synthesize data from clinical trials to determine if this non-invasive therapy offers a reliable treatment option for…
A computational analysis of 7,801 scientific abstracts has identified 1,758 drugs and compounds that affect the inner ear. The new study, led by Aylin del Moral-Morales, Jean Arguello-Camarillo, and Jesús Yael Castañón Bello, maps the complex chemical world of ototoxicity and otoprotection. Their work provides a public, searchable database for researchers and clinicians. Key Takeaways…
Key Takeaways University students in occupational therapy and audiology show a clear link between higher misophonia symptom severity and increased perceived stress. Occupational therapy students reported higher scores on both misophonia and stress scales, suggesting a possible link with their training in sensory awareness. Students who were not receiving psychological support had significantly higher stress…
Hearing impairment is among the most prevalent sensory disorders worldwide, affecting far more than just auditory thresholds. This is the central argument of a new editorial in *Brain Sciences*, authored by Professor Agnieszka J. Szczepek of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin. The work advocates for a fundamental shift in how we understand and treat hearing disorders, moving beyond…
A systematic review of 21 studies has found a clear shift from anecdotal reports to structured, testable interventions for misophonia in adolescents and young adults. The review, authored by Tanya Singh and Satish Kumaraswamy, synthesizes evidence from studies published between 2013 and 2025, offering the most current map of treatment approaches for this undercharacterized condition….
**Auditory symptoms, from hearing loss to hyperacusis, are present in 15% to 49% of migraine patients.** A 2026 review paper in the *Journal of Neurology* synthesizes a growing body of evidence showing that migraine is not just a headache disorder but a systemic condition that can directly disrupt auditory function. The research team, led by…
How Tinnitus Masking Devices Work: From Sound to Electrical Stimulation For decades, acoustic masking, where external sound is used to cover the percept…
A new study from researchers at the University of Łódź has developed the first tailored cognitive reappraisal protocol for misophonia, finding it significantly reduced the urge to blame others for trigger sounds. The work by Marta Siepsiak, Andrzej Śliwerski, and Anna Turek-Wojnarowicz provides preliminary evidence for a psychological approach that could help address a core,…
A systemic disorder of multisensory sensitization, migraine is now recognized as a major driver of auditory problems including hearing loss, tinnitus, and hyperacusis. A new review in the *Journal of Neurology* synthesizes the evidence, revealing that 15% to 49% of migraine patients experience comorbid auditory symptoms, with nearly two-thirds showing measurable abnormalities on auditory electrophysiological…
