• Don't miss the opportunity to attend Tinnitus Quest's online Q&A with Dr. Susan Shore and Jon Pearson, CEO of Auricle on October 13. We will hear the latest about the Susan Shore Device.

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New University of Michigan Tinnitus Discovery — Signal Timing

From what I understand, the DCN (dorsal cochlear nucleus, a region of the brainstem targeted by the University of Michigan device) acts as a relay. It receives information from the cochlea (hair cells and related structures) as well as somatosensory input from the trigeminal system (teeth, jaw) and the cervical system (neck). When these non-cochlear regions send large amounts of data, they can excite the DCN, which may create or intensify the tinnitus percept. This is still somewhat theoretical, but it seems to be a well-supported model.

In simple terms, using the neck as a pathway (for example, by sending electrical signals through it to the DCN) provides another way of reaching the area where tinnitus from hearing loss is generated. This approach may help with tinnitus caused mainly by either hearing loss or TMJ and neck problems, since both types of input converge on the same region of the brain. This is why the trials for the University of Michigan device focused on people with somatic tinnitus. That does not mean people whose tinnitus is caused solely by TMJ or neck problems, but rather those who can influence their tinnitus through movements or input from the jaw, neck, or related areas. Otherwise, a person might not benefit from the device at all, or at least not as much as someone who can demonstrate a clear connection between somatic input and their tinnitus.

Please note that I am not a scientist. I am, in fact, the least qualified person I know. So take this with a grain of salt. :p
Well, it's nice to have someone who can translate things down to my level.

I spend a lot of time wondering what caused the latest spike. Most of the time, I would put it down to some noise event. Another plausible explanation is my poor sleep pattern. I can fall asleep pretty easily, but I tend to wake up in the early hours of the morning, around 5:00. From then on, it's usually a mix of the radio, the sound machine, and drifting in and out of light sleep until it's time for breakfast.

Oddly enough, if I do manage to sleep for another hour, say from 8:00 to 9:00, once I wake up my tinnitus often spikes.

Another explanation I sometimes consider is garlic or herbs in a roast chicken for dinner, but that's easy enough to avoid.

To explain my most recent spike, I focused on the support page where one sufferer mentioned that his tinnitus started from "dead-weight lifting." You know, lifting weights in the gym. That seems like a handy explanation and matches up somewhat with my own experience. I suppose, at a stretch, it could tie in with your theory, especially regarding the neck or the back.
 
Is anyone else as nervous as I am for October 13, 2025? I feel like my life is at stake. I've survived three years of constant ringing in my right ear, and finding hope has been a real challenge. The Q&A on October 13 is going to hit me hard either way.

This thread and community have kept me from doing anything too drastic. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Would anyone be interested in brainstorming a list of questions for Auricle that we can compile here?
  1. Has the FDA application been filed?
  2. What is the current FDA approval status?
  3. What is the projected timeline for product availability?
  4. What is the projected cost?
  5. Will insurers cover the cost?
  6. Has the Veterans Association expressed interest?
  7. What can I, or other consumers, do to help?
 
Is anyone else as nervous as I am for October 13, 2025? I feel like my life is at stake. I've survived three years of constant ringing in my right ear, and finding hope has been a real challenge. The Q&A on October 13 is going to hit me hard either way.

This thread and community have kept me from doing anything too drastic. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Would anyone be interested in brainstorming a list of questions for Auricle that we can compile here?
  1. Has the FDA application been filed?
  2. What is the current FDA approval status?
  3. What is the projected timeline for product availability?
  4. What is the projected cost?
  5. Will insurers cover the cost?
  6. Has the Veterans Association expressed interest?
  7. What can I, or other consumers, do to help?
I could be wrong, but they've been collecting questions for a couple of months and have probably already started consolidating them. There might still be a link to submit questions somewhere, but I doubt it.
 
Is anyone else as nervous as I am for October 13, 2025? I feel like my life is at stake. I've survived three years of constant ringing in my right ear, and finding hope has been a real challenge. The Q&A on October 13 is going to hit me hard either way.

This thread and community have kept me from doing anything too drastic. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Would anyone be interested in brainstorming a list of questions for Auricle that we can compile here?
  1. Has the FDA application been filed?
  2. What is the current FDA approval status?
  3. What is the projected timeline for product availability?
  4. What is the projected cost?
  5. Will insurers cover the cost?
  6. Has the Veterans Association expressed interest?
  7. What can I, or other consumers, do to help?
Well, I'm the opposite! I have it in my left ear, since 1992 — thirty-three years ago. It's no longer the awful threat it once was, but the hyperacusis is still a big problem.

So I'm waiting for the printout, as listening to TV, a smartphone, or internet speakers will bring on a tinnitus spike. I take it a bit laid back. I've been through so many doctors and therapies, some of which have helped, mind you.

I'll be very happy if this effort by Professor Shore is a general step forward in understanding tinnitus and how to manage it. If it could turn down the volume or cure my hyperacusis, that would be beyond wonderful.
 
Is anyone else as nervous as I am for October 13, 2025? I feel like my life is at stake. I've survived three years of constant ringing in my right ear, and finding hope has been a real challenge. The Q&A on October 13 is going to hit me hard either way.

This thread and community have kept me from doing anything too drastic. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Would anyone be interested in brainstorming a list of questions for Auricle that we can compile here?
  1. Has the FDA application been filed?
  2. What is the current FDA approval status?
  3. What is the projected timeline for product availability?
  4. What is the projected cost?
  5. Will insurers cover the cost?
  6. Has the Veterans Association expressed interest?
  7. What can I, or other consumers, do to help?
Just keep your expectations low. We all want to hear something positive at last, but unfortunately, with the pace Auricle has shown so far, I don't believe anything truly spectacular will come out of this Q&A.
 
Would anyone be interested in brainstorming a list of questions for Auricle that we can compile here?
  1. Has the FDA application been filed?
  2. What is the current FDA approval status?
  3. What is the projected timeline for product availability?
  4. What is the projected cost?
  5. Will insurers cover the cost?
  6. Has the Veterans Association expressed interest?
  7. What can I, or other consumers, do to help?
Here's a question I hope gets asked: What the fuck is "somatic tinnitus"? I can modulate only one of my sounds, and it's not even the worst one. Does that mean the device won't help me with the other sounds?
 

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