Direct Current Stimulation of the Ear for Tinnitus

This study was also presented at the TRI's recent meeting. It is one of two studies in which researchers used electrical stimulation to reduce or eliminate tinnitus. Significantly, in the double-blind study tinnitus disappeared in 33.6% of participants in the treatment group. Additional gains were seen in the treatment group, but they are not listed in the abstract. Finally, hearing improved in the treatment group.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24337877

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2013 Dec 13. [Epub ahead of print]
Direct current stimulation of the ear in tinnitus treatment: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.
Mielczarek M1, Olszewski J.
Author information

Abstract
The objectives of the study are assessment of the influence of direct current electrical stimulations of the ear in tinnitus treatment, comparison of the results with placebo group and evaluation of hearing after electrical stimulations. The study comprised 120 tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss patients (n = 184 tinnitus ears). In group one (n = 119 tinnitus ears) the authors applied a non-invasive hydrotransmissive electrical stimulation (15) of the ear, in group two (n = 65 tinnitus ears)-placebo electrical stimulation. Direct rectangular, positive polarization current was used. The frequency of stimulation was adjusted according to tinnitus frequency. In group two, the authors used similar procedure, but no current was delivered through the active electrode. Evaluation of tinnitus and hearing was conducted. In groups one and two, directly after the treatment, the number of ears with permanent tinnitus decreased considerably. In group one in 40 ears (33.6 %) tinnitus disappeared; in group two, tinnitus disappeared in four ears (6.1 %). After 30 days, statistically significant changes were observed in group one (p < 0.05), which were comparable with results returned 90 days later (p > 0.05). Changes in group two (after 30 and 90 days) were not significant (p > 0.05). The authors recognized audiometric improvement of hearing (in pure tone audiometry). The application of direct current electrical stimulation of the hearing organ, with current frequencies similar to tinnitus frequencies (selective electrical stimulation), was an efficient method in severe tinnitus treatment. We did not observe a harmful effect of direct current on hearing organ.


The authors published a similar study that further confirmed the efficacy of electrical stimulation of the ear for severe tinnitus.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22682958

Auris Nasus Larynx. 2013 Feb;40(1):61-5. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2012.05.006. Epub 2012 Jun 8.
The application of direct current electrical stimulation of the ear and cervical spine kinesitherapy in tinnitus treatment.
Mielczarek M1, Konopka W, Olszewski J.

The results of this study were equally impressive:

RESULTS:
Before the treatment, group I comprised 51 ears (87.93%) with permanent, and 7 ears (12.07%) with temporary tinnitus; group II - 55 ears (90.17%) with permanent and 6 ears (9.83%) with temporary tinnitus. After the treatment, in both groups the number of ears with permanent tinnitusdecreased considerably obtaining the pauses or disappearing of tinnitus. Directly after the treatment, group I comprised 25 ears (43.11%) with permanent, and 10 ears (17.24%) with temporary tinnitus, in 23 ears (39.65%) tinnitus disappeared; group II - 33 ears (54.1%) with permanent and 11 ears (18.03%) with temporary tinnitus, in 17 ears (27.87%) tinnitus disappeared. Regarding questionnaires, improvement was observed in group I - in 43.11% of ears, in group II - 32.8%. In both groups audiometric improvement of hearing was recognized.

 

So why is this not a thing yet?

 

This is interesting , and yes...why is this not a thing yet?

 

I am this close to electrocuting myself in an attempt to get better

 

Research happens, then the researcher either tries to productize their research, someone else does, or no one does anything.

It's likely someone will try this in trials.

 

Anything that is possible in treating T they should do a trial about.. If not thats ridiculous

 

Some T sufferers will undoubtedly try this at home. This is a great example of DIY biohacking / brainhacking which I recently posted about. Reddit has a thread about tDCS which is close to this one: http://www.reddit.com/r/tDCS

P.S. I will get my TENS device next week and I will attempt to copy this trial with myself - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20505927

 

Clinical trials take a lot of time and money. Funding is hard to come by.

 

Yeah its frusterating!

 

Indeed, but also promising. I guess for treatments to be developed there needs to be a realistic prospect of a financial return - maybe drugs companies are just more geared up for delivering drug treatments rather than something like this ? I'm just guessing though - would love to be proved wrong and for someone to announce trials of this - the more things goingon the better.

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18552045

I mean they've only had 7 years since this study

 

Thank you for finding that study!

This treatment--like many others--will have difficulty coming to trial because the researchers need to turn it into something proprietary. Bringing something to market is very labor and cost intensive. No matter how brilliant the discovery, there's two main paths to success. First, you can partner with a corporation, who will turn the technology into something patentable. Or second, you can patent something yourself then find venture capitalists who specialize in start up medical technologies. Having a proprietary technology is key because entrepreneurs will want to control the market--at least for several years--in order to recoup their expenses. Once a patent is secured, and the technology has a good chance of success, then clinical trials may begin. (At least, this is my understanding of the process.)

Researchers for tinnitus technologies need seriously to start thinking like entrepreneurs. That is the key to getting these products to the clinical trial stage.

 

It's a shame patents and proprietary motives hinder data such as this. This could be patented and put on a shelf to never be used, or never developed because no corporation can see the financial benefits.

They need the green.

 

Well the first named author is a hospital doctor in Lodz, Poland. Googling it this or a similar treatment seems to be something they are trying for depression? I don't know but maybe you can already get this treatment if you contact them and ask - if I lived nearby I think I'd give it a shot.

 

Where can I buy this TENS machine before I hook up my Bench PSU to my brain and toast myself?
I got stuff to do, cant be doing this T thing anymore.

 

Here's a recent study on TENS that also shows promise for certain types of tinnitus:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24215217

Acta Otolaryngol. 2014 Feb;134(2):159-67. doi: 10.3109/00016489.2013.844854. Epub 2013 Nov 11.
Effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical stimulation for chronic tinnitus.
Lee SK1, Chung H, Chung JH, Yeo SG, Park MS, Byun JY.
Author information

Abstract
CONCLUSION:
Based on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores, transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) can provide relief from tinnitus. Response to electrical stimulation was best seen in patients with low-frequency tinnitus and with mild hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE:
TENS is known to alleviate symptoms of tinnitus. However, study of the effectiveness of TENS for tinnitus has produced variable results, and it is still unclear what kind of patients with tinnitus would respond best to TENS. Here, we assessed the effects of TENS on the perception of tinnitus using the THI and VAS questionnaires.

METHODS:
A total of 65 patients with tinnitus were divided into two groups: 45 patients received TENS and 20 patients received placebo (shamstimulation) twice a week over 4 weeks. THI and VAS scores were assessed before and after electrical stimulation. We also evaluated the effects ofTENS on the degree of initial hearing loss and tinnitus frequency.

RESULTS:
Twenty-eight of 45 patients (62.2%) revealed subjective improvement in tinnitus with TENS. TENS was more effective in patients with low-frequency tinnitus or with mild hearing loss. Symptomatic improvement in the electrical stimulation group was achieved for 1 month in most patients.

 

I have a TENS unit someplace if I can find it. I got it last year and the company kept sending me new pads. My confidence is low for this helping tinnitus, but I may try it again.

 

@ResonanceCEO why is this not a thing yet?

 

Seems the run-of-the-mill TENS won't work. They go up to 150hz. According to the article posted on this thread you need up to 8khz and that needs to be special circuit. I'm still not clear were the pads are placed on/near the ear and the current and duty cycle. So this looks like a dud.

 

There are lots of TENS devices you can buy for example in Amazon. I bought this one: https://www.beurer.com/web/en/products/gentle_therapy/ems-tens.php?pid=3780

 

I looked at that and it is like most of them:

• Output current: max. 180 mA p-p (500 Ohm)

• Output frequency: 1 - 120 Hz

This is not enough current to make it anywhere near the deeper layers like the nervous system in the inner ear. The human body has too much resistance so most of the current will be attenuated with the subcutaneous resistance. Also, the max frequency is 120 Hz...this is no where near a T suffer freq which is usually near 8 Khz. Then there is the factor of placing electrodes, etc. So this seems like a waste of money unfortunately.

 

I believe Brain2N clinic in Antwerp try TENS as part of the consultation.
The waiting list is about 18 months. Sign up now.

 

Maybe someone gave him a "snuggie" and he's a bit sore lol. No, Seriously; we all appreciate @ResonanceCEO input & technical expertise! He's a great resource to this forum!

 

The Fisher Wallace tDCS stimulator might be the thing to try. It uses a 15kHz carrier wave (I'm not sure what that means exactly), and it supposedly does penetrate to deeper brain areas via neuronal networks (I read that somewhere but cannot find the reference right now). More info here: http://www.fisherwallace.com/ and http://www.fisherwallace.com/uploads/Fisher Wallace Stimulator - Instruction Manual - For Treating Insomnia, Anxiety & Depression.pdf and http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Adviso...mittee/NeurologicalDevicesPanel/UCM291109.pdf

This device is FDA approved for the treatment of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and chronic pain.

 

Is the frequency of the device related to the tinnitus frequency that will be treated ?

 

According to one research posted here it used a freq at the T freq.

 

I got my TENS device yesterday. I will try to use it differently according to this study, where the frequency requirements are lower.

"Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) of upper cervical nerve (C2) for the treatment of somatic tinnitus"

 

Interesting , keep us posted . Doing some experiments myself (dont worry , they do not involve electricity)

 

hi guys

did anyone tried to contact them to get the technique and equipment they did use for it?

 

Why would they tell you how to do their job?