Use of non-invasive brain stimulation and hearing aids to reduce tinnitus

Use of transcranial direct current stimulation and extended high frequency amplification to reduce tinnitus symptoms, measured with the Tinnitus Functional Index.

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12612000277842

Enrollment

Registered

2012-03-08

Start date

2012-01-24

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

This research is aimed to study the impact of non invasive brain stimulation (tDCS) and digital hearing aids usage on tinnitus. tDCS leads to transient tinnitus suppression. When multiple sessions of this stimulation are combined with amplification targeted towards tinnitus, we hypothesise that multiple tDCS sessions at the beginning of hearing aid use will result in greater reduction of tinnitus symptoms than hearing aid use alone.

Interventions

Non-invasive brain stimulation will be offered for 5 sessions each lasting for 20 minutes on 5 consecutive days and digital hearing aids will be fitted after the 5th stimulation session.Participants will be followed up for 6 months. Non invasive brain stimulation (tDCS) involves delivering a low-intensity current with two damp sponge electrodes placed on scalp. One electrode will be positioned over the auditory area on one side of brain. The other one will be placed on the forehead. participants will experience a slight tingling sensation under the electrodes for up to 2 minutes, after which the sensation diminishes and may become imperceptible. There is no need to shave head and the area under the electrode on forehead will be cleaned using an alcohol wipe. Participants will be asked to sit quietly during the period of stimulation. If they feel uncomfortable at any time during the stimulation, will be asked to notify the experimenter immediately. Digital hearing aids will be given to participants for long term use (even after 6 months). They will not be taken back.

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Intervention model

Parallel

Primary purpose

Treatment

Masking

Blinded (masking used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

30 Years to 75 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Chronic tinnitus for a minimum of 18 months binaural aidable hearing loss Minimum score of 25 on Tinnitus Functional Index

Exclusion criteria

Contraindication on neurological checklist for administering tDCS (non invasive brain stimulation) such as previous brain surgeries, epilepsy, family history of epilepsy, metal implants in body or head, pregnancy etc. Hearing aid users

Outcome results