Key Takeaways A new meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials found that lidocaine’s overall effect on tinnitus severity scores was not statistically significant. However, the drug showed potential for temporarily reducing specific aspects of tinnitus, such as its perceived pitch, loudness, and associated distress. The evidence remains inconclusive due to high variability in how studies…
Key Takeaways A new systematic review of 12 studies found that lidocaine’s effect on overall tinnitus severity was not statistically significant. Some evidence suggests lidocaine may temporarily reduce tinnitus pitch, loudness, and distress, and could even improve hearing thresholds. The overall evidence is considered inconclusive due to high variability in how studies were conducted and…
Key Takeaways Artificial intelligence (AI) in modern hearing aids now manages noise reduction and environmental adaptation automatically, with systems from manufacturers like Starkey using deep learning to monitor user health. Beyond sound processing, AI shows significant potential for personalizing speech rehabilitation therapies, tailoring exercises to individual patient progress and needs. A core challenge is integrating…
Artificial intelligence systems in hearing aids can now continuously adapt to a user’s environment and monitor physiological metrics. According to a recent review, this technical progress is matched by a significant philosophical shift, requiring audiologists to move from being technology gatekeepers to collaborative partners with AI. The research, led by Reham Elrashidy, Iman Ibrahim, and…
The Science Behind Tinnitus Suppression: Acoustic Masks and Cochlear Implants Target Different Neural Circuits The dominant frequency of a patient’s tin…
More Than Annoyance: The Neurophysiological Model of Misophonia Misophonia is a condition of decreased sound tolerance characterized by strong, negative…
Excessive neuronal synchrony—where groups of brain cells fire in an abnormally coordinated rhythm—is a pathological mechanism in disorders like Parkinson’s and epilepsy. New computational research from Kanishk Chauhan, Justus A. Kromer, and Alexander Neiman suggests a refined brain stimulation technique could disrupt this harmful synchrony more efficiently, with implications for conditions like tinnitus and hyperacusis,…
Tinnitus Affects 14% of Adults, Yet Effective Management Remains a Clinical Challenge Approximately 14% of adults perceive tinnitus, a sound that origin…
A new systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 randomized controlled trials has found that while several neuromodulation techniques are safe for chronic tinnitus, only one approach consistently delivered clinically meaningful and durable relief. Key Takeaways Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) showed average, statistically non-significant benefits for chronic tinnitus in…
Excessive neuronal synchrony, a state where large groups of brain cells fire in an abnormally coordinated rhythm, is a pathological hallmark of several neurological conditions. A study published in the *European Physical Journal Special Topics* investigates a potential way to disrupt this harmful synchrony using a refined version of a technique called Coordinated Reset (CR)…
Excessive neuronal synchrony, where groups of brain cells fire in abnormal unison, is a pathological hallmark of conditions like Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy. New computational modeling research now suggests a more efficient way to disrupt this harmful synchrony using a refined brain stimulation technique. The study, led by Kanishk Chauhan, Justus A. Kromer, and Alexander…
A cross-sectional study of 323 university students found that 12.7% had subclinical hearing loss in their left ear, and 22.3% had it in their right ear. This “hidden hearing loss,” detected by audiometry but not yet causing overt hearing complaints, was linked directly to their use of personal listening devices (PLDs) like headphones and earbuds….
