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  • glossary
  1. Information
  2. More information
  3. Glossary

Glossary

Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma)

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An acoustic neuroma is a type of non-cancerous (benign) brain tumour. It's also known as a vestibular schwannoma.

Acoustic neuromas grow on the nerve used for hearing and balance, which can cause problems such as hearing loss and unsteadiness.

Published: 27th January, 2017

Author: Nic Wray

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Acupuncture

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Acupuncture is a treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine. Fine needles are inserted at certain sites in the body for therapeutic or preventative purposes.

Published: 25th August, 2017

Author: Nic Wray

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Cognitive behavioural therapy

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A talking therapy that can help people manage problems by changing the way they think and behave. It's most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for other mental and physical health problems.

Published: 16th December, 2016

Author: Nic Wray

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Control group

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A group in an experiment or study that does not receive treatment by the researchers and is then used as a benchmark to measure how the other tested subjects do.

Published: 16th December, 2016

Author: Nic Wray

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Neurofeedback

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Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that measures brain waves to produce a signal that can be used as feedback to teach self-regulation of brain function.

Published: 25th August, 2017

Updated: 27th September, 2017

Author: Nic Wray

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Physiotherapy

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Physiotherapy is the treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather than by drugs or surgery.

Published: 25th August, 2017

Author: Nic Wray

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Placebo

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An inactive substance or other sham form of therapy administered to a patient usually to compare its effects with those of a real drug or treatment.

Published: 4th November, 2016

Updated: 7th December, 2016

Author: Nic Wray

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Placebo effect

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A phenomenon in which a placebo can sometimes improve a patient’s condition simply because the person has the expectation that it will be helpful.

Published: 4th November, 2016

Updated: 7th December, 2016

Author: Nic Wray

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Pulsatile tinnitus

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Pulsatile tinnitus is a rhythmical noise that usually has the same rate as the heart. This is easily checked by feeling the pulse at the same time as listening to the tinnitus. There are a few types of tinnitus in which a rhythmical sound is experienced that is not in time with the pulse.

Download our pulsatile tinnitus leaflet:

Pulsatile_Tinnitus_Ver_2.1.pdf

Pulsatile_Tinnitus_Ver_2.1_LARGE_PRINT.pdf

Published: 9th February, 2018

Author: Nic Wray

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Randomised control trial (RCT)

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A study in which a number of similar people are randomly assigned to 2 (or more) groups to test a specific drug or treatment. One group (the experimental group) receives the treatment being tested, the other (the comparison or control group) receives an alternative treatment, a dummy treatment (placebo) or no treatment at all. The groups are followed up to see how effective the experimental treatment was.

Published: 4th November, 2016

Updated: 7th December, 2016

Author: Nic Wray

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Somatic tinnitus

Somatic tinnitus is a sensory condition which can influence tinnitus. Read more about it here.

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Somatic tinnitus

Somatic tinnitus is a condition where the sensory system in the body can cause or influence tinnitus in some way eg reducing the perception of tinnitus by moving the jaw.

Read the latest research review on the topic here

Published: 27th January, 2017

Updated: 24th September, 2020

Author: Nic Wray

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Somatosensory

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The somatosensory system is the part of the sensory system concerned with the conscious perception of touch, pressure, pain, temperature, position, movement, and vibration

Published: 27th January, 2017

Author: Nic Wray

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Showing 10 of 20

Latest

  • Volunteers needed for online tinnitus modulation study

    Volunteers needed for online tinnitus modulation study

    A researcher from Newcastle University is investigating whether a specific type of sound is successful at reducing tinnitus loudness. Can you help?

  • The BTA annual conference goes virtual for 2021

    The BTA annual conference goes virtual for 2021

    The BTA annual conference will be running virtually again for 2021, from 4 to 8 October.

  • 100k in just one month!

    100k in just one month!

    Please support Paul in raising awareness and funds to provide support for people living with tinnitus right now and, ultimately, a cure.

  • Head of Major Giving – maternity cover

    Head of Major Giving – maternity cover

    We are looking for a passionate and driven fundraising leader to cover the maternity leave of our existing Head of Major Giving.

Most read

  • Ear wax removal and tinnitus

    Ear wax removal and tinnitus

    Wax is an important natural secretion found in the ear. Find out what causes ear wax build up, how to deal with it and whether it has any effect on tinnitus.

  • All about tinnitus

    All about tinnitus

    Tinnitus is the sensation of noises in the head and/or ears which have no external source. About 1 in 3 people will experience tinnitus at some point in their lives.

  • Pulsatile tinnitus

    Pulsatile tinnitus

    Pulsatile tinnitus, is a type of tinnitus which appears to follow a rhythm such as your heart beat.

  • Self help for tinnitus

    Self help for tinnitus

    Here are some simple things to do which may help you lessen the intrusiveness of your tinnitus and improve your quality of life.

  • Tinnitus and stress

    Tinnitus and stress

    Find out more about what stress is, how stress may affect tinnitus (and vice versa) and how stress can be managed, which should also help your tinnitus.

  • Musical hallucination (musical tinnitus)

    Musical hallucination (musical tinnitus)

    Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of any corresponding external sound. Some people experience a form of tinnitus where music is heard. This is called musical hallucination, or musical tinnitus

  • Home tinnitus treatments to try for ringing in the ears

    Home tinnitus treatments to try for ringing in the ears

    Whilst there is no cure, there are a number of athome remedies you can try to lessen the ringing in your ears. Read our top tips from Catherine Hall.

  • What can I do about it?

    What can I do about it?

    There are several strategies that can be very helpful in managing tinnitus. Learn more about them here.

  • Tinnitus and disorders of the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) and neck

    Tinnitus and disorders of the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) and neck

    Learn more about the jaw joint (temporo-mandibular joint or TMJ), and how problems with it or the neck may affect tinnitus.

  • Flying and the ear

    Flying and the ear

    Some people with hearing loss or tinnitus worry about travelling on a plane. Here are the BTA's top tips to get you flying with confidence in no time.

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Tinnitus is the perception of noises in the head and/or ear which have no external source, it is often described as buzzing or ringing in the ears. The British Tinnitus Association's vision is a world where no one suffers from tinnitus.

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