Otolaryngology: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Primary tinnitus has a severe negative influence on the quality of life of a significant portion of the general population. Acoustic coordinated reset neuromodulation is designed to induce a long-lasting reduction of tinnitus symptoms. To test acoustic coordinated reset neuromodulation as a treatment for chronic, tonal tinnitus under real?life conditions, an outpatient study RESET REAL LIFE was commissioned. Herein we present the results of this study. In a prospective, open-label, nonrandomized, non-controlled multi-center clinical study with 200 chronic tinnitus patients, tinnitus questionnaire TBF-12 and Global Clinical Improvement-Impression scale (CGI-I7) are used to study the safety and efficacy of acoustic coordinated reset neuromodulation. 189 patients completed the last 12 month visit, 11 patients dropped out. An additional observational study was also carried out with 66 subjects treated in an independent UK based clinic. For this work the THQ questionnaire and VAS scales, for tinnitus loudness and annoyance, were recorded over a 22-26 treatment period. Acoustic coordinated reset neuromodulation caused a statistically and clinically significant decrease in TBF-12, THQ and VAS scores which was also reflected in the CGI-I7 after 12 months of therapy under real-life conditions. There were no persistent adverse events reported that were related to the therapy.

Biography

Mark Williams is a UK based audiologist with a specialist interest in the provision adult rehabilitation programmes for tinnitus and hyperacusis. He has previously led a team of audiologists for the NHS and has been a clinical tutor / examiner for MSc and BSc Audiology students at University College London (UCL. He is a registered as a Hearing Aid Dispenser and Audiologist with the Health Professions Council (HPC) and the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP). He originally completed a BSc Hons. in Molecular Biology, MSc in Audiological Science and Post-Graduation Diploma in Audiology from University College London.