United States: Be it an incessant humming or a relentless ringing, tinnitus is a prevalent condition that can significantly impair quality of life. Now, scientists have introduced an innovative app poised to mitigate its impact.
Tinnitus, the subjective perception of sounds absent from any external origin, is estimated to affect 7.6 million individuals in the UK. While the intensity varies, a smaller proportion experiences its more severe forms.
Although a definitive remedy remains elusive, various management strategies exist, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This method aims to reframe the emotional association with tinnitus, enabling the brain to effectively “filter out” the intrusive noise. However, CBT’s accessibility is hindered by its cost and limited availability.
To address this, researchers have unveiled MindEar, a groundbreaking application that integrates CBT techniques via a chatbot alongside sound therapy interventions.
“Our goal is to empower individuals to reclaim autonomy over their experience,” remarked Dr. Fabrice Bardy, a lead author of the study from the University of Auckland and a tinnitus sufferer himself.
Detailed in the journal Frontiers in Audiology and Otology, the study explored the app’s efficacy among 28 participants. Half utilized the app’s virtual coach for 10 minutes daily over an eight-week span, while the other half engaged in similar activities supplemented with four half-hour video consultations with a clinical psychologist.
Online assessments conducted both pre- and post-study revealed notable findings. Six participants relying solely on the app and nine combining app usage with video consultations experienced a clinically significant reduction in tinnitus-related distress. These benefits persisted eight weeks later, with nine individuals in each group reporting sustained improvements.
Dr Bardy suggested further investigation into whether specific individuals derive greater benefit from supplemental psychological support, particularly those grappling with coexisting conditions such as anxiety, stress, or sleep disturbances.
The research team is preparing to conduct a more extensive clinical trial in collaboration with University College London (UCL) Hospital. Dr Lucy Handscomb of UCL’s Ear Institute emphasized the pressing need for accessible tinnitus interventions, noting that patients frequently endure heightened anxiety while awaiting conventional therapy.
“My aspiration is that by granting early access to this meticulously crafted intervention, individuals may circumvent the negative thought patterns that often exacerbate the condition, fostering resilience and adaptability from the outset,” Handscomb stated. “MindEar is not intended as a substitute for in-person therapy but could serve as a valuable adjunct.”
This app is not the sole digital innovation in tinnitus care. For instance, the Oto tinnitus app is undergoing a substantial clinical trial in the UK.
Matthew Smith, a consultant ENT surgeon at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and a participant in the Oto trial, underscored the promise of app-based solutions in broadening access to treatment. However, he urged caution, emphasizing that CBT represents just one facet of tinnitus management.
“Provision of hearing aids is a cornerstone for certain individuals with tinnitus, posing a challenge for remote care approaches,” Smith explained. “An app cannot serve as a universal remedy but holds significant potential as part of a multifaceted treatment framework.”
Be First to Comment