Deep Brain Stimulation Shows Promise for Severe Tinnitus in Early Trial
A new study published in Neurotherapeutics details the results of the first clinical trial investigating deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for severe,chronic tinnitus. The research, lead by neurologist and clinical neurophysiologist Mark Janssen, suggests the procedure is safe and may offer symptom relief for individuals unresponsive to conventional treatments.
Tinnitus, affecting approximately 14% of the population, is the perception of sound without an external source. While hearing aids and cognitive therapy can help some, a subset of patients experience persistent, debilitating symptoms impacting their daily life, mood, and sleep.
The trial involved four patients with long-term, severe tinnitus who underwent surgery to have thin electrodes implanted bilaterally in the medial geniculate body – a brain region involved in sound processing. These electrodes were connected to a neurostimulator placed under the skin of the abdomen, delivering electrical pulses to modulate brain activity.
The primary goal of the study was to assess the safety of DBS for tinnitus sufferers. Researchers found the procedure to be well-tolerated.While patients experienced temporary side effects like headache and nausea immediately following surgery, these resolved quickly. Stimulation occasionally caused mild tingling or dizziness, which was managed by adjusting the stimulation intensity. Importantly, hearing was unaffected, and no new sounds were perceived.
One year after the surgery, three of the four patients reported a reduction in their tinnitus symptoms. Two of these patients experienced improvements important enough to positively impact their daily lives. The research team also observed a trend towards improved psychological well-being in these patients.
Interestingly, the one patient who did not experience symptom enhancement had electrodes positioned slightly further from the target area in the brain than the others, highlighting the importance of precise electrode placement.
“This study shows that DBS can be a viable treatment option for people with severe tinnitus,” stated Janssen. “It is indeed a first but critically important step… Our goal is not only to make the whooshing quieter, but above all to improve quality of life, and this study shows promising results in this regard.”
Researchers emphasize that this is a small, preliminary study and further research is needed to determine the long-term effectiveness of DBS for tinnitus and to identify which patients are most likely to benefit. Currently, enrollment for brain stimulation treatment for tinnitus is not open, but updates and frequently asked questions can be found on the MUMC’s website: https://hersenenzenuwcentrum.mumc.nl/specialisme/keel-neus-en-oorheelkunde-kno/oor-gehoor-audiologie/tinnitus/faq-tinnituszorg. A follow-up study is planned.
