Neuroimage brain changes following tinnitus treatment

Abstract

Hearing loss (whether noise-induced or age-related) is one of the top three chronic conditions of an aging population, with one in three individuals suffering from hearing loss by the 7th decade. A related disorder of tinnitus (or "ringing in the ears") is associated with approximately 50-80% of those with hearing loss. Although hearing loss may lead to tinnitus, in contrast with hearing loss (which is absence of perception of external sound), tinnitus is the phantom perception of sound in the absence of an external source. Both tinnitus and hearing loss have a significant negative impact on the communication, quality of life, the ability to hold a job and associated depression and anxiety. The main goal of this project is to advance the study of the neural mechanisms of tinnitus and hearing loss using brain-imaging tools. The researchers at University of Illinois (UI) and at Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP) are both established researchers in different aspects of the study of hearing loss and tinnitus. Over the past year, they have begun a collaborative project on understanding the impact of amplification as a therapy for tinnitus and hearing loss using a type of brain imaging called positron emission tom tomography (PET). The goal of the proposal is to continue the collaboration with two specific projects: (1) a follow-up study on the existing amplification project to better understand the effect of amplification in reducing tinnitus- related handicap in the long-term and (2) to initiate a new study on the effect of amplification in a subgroup of those. (AU)