New research shows hope for tinnitus sufferers
Pioneering new research funded by RNID has revealed hope for the early treatment of tinnitus.
The study, led by researchers at the University of Western Australia, has identified a six week period where future treatments may be able to prevent the onset of tinnitus. The researchers used three treatments to block the nerve signals from the cochlear to the brain. Although these treatments would not be suitable for humans, this highlights an opportunity that was not previously recognised.
The research indicates that future research should focus on finding treatments to reduce nerve signals from the ear to the brain soon after damage through loud sound. This may help prevent the over activity in the brain (associated with tinnitus) from becoming permanent.
Tinnitus can be a distressing and debilitating condition that affects most people at some point. Currently, around one in 100 people experience serious problems with long-term tinnitus.
Professor Don Robertson, who led the study at the University of Western Australia, said "This finding indicates there may be an early phase of tinnitus development which could be arrested by temporarily dampening down the firing from the cochlea. And although a lot more research needs to be done at this stage, it is a very exciting prospect."
Dr Ralph Holme, RNID's Director of Biomedical Research, said: "Tinnitus affects seven million people in the UK, yet there are no safe or effective ways of alleviating this stressful condition. We are extremely excited about the significant progress this research has made into identifying a possible window of opportunity for future treatments."
Comments
THE PERSON AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE ,IS ABOUT WRITE THE WAY SHE IS SCREAMMING IN HER MIND TO GET IT TO STOP,IT DOSEN'T.
Posted by: john bradley | December 30, 2009 03:54 PM