Transcranial Electrical and Acoustic Stimulation for Tinnitus

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH · Sep 9, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new treatment for tinnitus, which is a condition that causes ringing or noise in the ears. The researchers want to see if combining two types of stimulation—transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) and acoustic stimulation (like white noise)—can help reduce the perception of tinnitus more effectively than using one treatment alone. Previous smaller studies suggest that combining these methods may be beneficial, but larger studies like this one are needed to confirm the results.

To participate in this trial, you should be between 18 and 75 years old and have experienced chronic tinnitus for more than three months. You also need to be able to speak either German or English and be willing to attend the study visits. If you have certain medical conditions, such as neurological disorders, an implanted pacemaker, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, you may not be eligible. If you choose to participate, you can expect to receive the combined treatment and help researchers learn more about effective ways to manage tinnitus.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Male and female patients 18 years to 75 years of age (younger age limit according to corona virus protection concepts and measures of the FOPH: Schutzkonzepte und -massnahmen (admin.ch))
• • Persistent chronic tinnitus with duration of more than 3 months
• • Signed Informed Consent after being informed about the study
• • Fluent in German or English
• • Tinnitus with a THI Grade 2 to 4 (18-76 points)
• • Willing and able to attend the study visits
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Actual neurological or psychiatric disorders
• • Hyperacusis
• • Regular intake of medication influencing the central nervous system (e.g. neuroleptics, hypnotics, sedatives, and anti-epileptics)
• • Implanted pacemaker
• • Surgical implants in the head region, such as cochlea implants
• • Asymmetrical hearing (more than 20dB side difference), pantonal hearing loss \> 40dB in any measured frequency up to 2kHz
• • Women who are pregnant or breast feeding
• • Intention to become pregnant during the course of the study
• • Known or suspected non-compliance, drug or alcohol abuse
• • Participation in another study with investigational drug within the 30 days preceding and during the present study,
• • Enrolment of the investigator, his/her family members, employees and other dependent persons