We auditorily stimulated patients affected by subjective tinnitus with broadband noise containing a notch around their tinnitus frequency. We assessed the long-term effects on tinnitus perception in patients listening to notched noise stimuli (referred to as windowed sound therapy [WST]) by measuring the variation of subjects' tinnitus loudness over a period of 2-12 months. We tested the effect...

UNLABELLED Focal hand dystonia (FHD) in musicians is a painless task-specific motor disorder characterized by an involuntary loss of control of individual finger movements. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an innovative behavioural therapy intervention, aimed at normalising movement patterns, in musicians affected by FHD. METHODS Eight musicians volunteered to take part...

Somatic modulation in tinnitus has been demonstrated by several studies although few investigations have been published on the efficacy of physical treatments in tinnitus subjects. In the present study the prevalence of somatic components to tinnitus were evaluated and the efficacy of two different physical treatments were compared: InterX® transcutaneous dynamic electrical stimulation and manu...

Background There is no universally accepted definition for hyperacusis, but in general it is characterised by decreased sound tolerance to ordinary environmental sounds. Despite hyperacusis being prevalent and having significant clinical implications, much remains unknown about current management strategies. Purpose To establish the current position of research on hyperacusis and identify res...

Tinnitus is the perception that one hears phantom sound(s) in the ears or in the head without any external source. Sound therapy is one of the most effective techniques for tinnitus treatment that have been proposed. In order to investigate mechanisms of tinnitus generation and the clinical effects of sound therapy, we have proposed computational and dynamical models with plasticity of excitati...

Background: There are several established, and an increasing number of putative, therapies using sound to treat tinnitus. There appear to be few guidelines for sound therapy selection and application. Aim: To review current approaches to personalizing sound therapy for tinnitus. Methods: A "state-of-the-art" review (Grant and Booth, 2009) was undertaken to answer the question: how do current so...

Tinnitus is a common medical symptom that can be debilitating. Risk factors include hearing loss, ototoxic medication, head injury, and depression. At presentation, the possibilities of otological disease, anxiety, and depression should be considered. No effective drug treatments are available, although much research is underway into mechanisms and possible treatments. Surgical intervention for...

INTRODUCTION Musical training positively influences the cortical plasticity of the brain and has proven to be effective in treating chronic tinnitus. OBJECTIVES A neuro-music therapy concept, the "Heidelberg Neuro-Music Therapy" treatment was developed and evaluated. DESIGN A prospective, cross-sectional design was used. MATERIALS AND METHODS N = 135 patients (mean age 47 years) with chro...

BACKGROUND Tinnitus occurs in a large part of the general population with prevalences ranging from 10% to 15% in an adult population. One subtype is cervicogenic somatic tinnitus, arising from cervical spine dysfunctions, justifying cervical spine assessment and treatment. This study aims to investigate the effect of a standardized physical therapy treatment, directed to the cervical spine, on ...

An auditory perception without any external source is referred to as tinnitus. Tinnitus can be perceived in the ears or in the head. There are numerous methods for tinnitus management and sound therapy is one of the most effective techniques for tinnitus treatment. In order to investigate mechanisms of tinnitus generation and the clinical effects of sound therapy, we have proposed conceptual an...