Tinnitus and neuromodulation

Name of treatment

Neuromodulation (Acoustic CR neuromodulation)

Type of treatment

Physical device

Claims for treatment

Reduce tinnitus symptoms by desynchronization, anti-kindling, and change of abnormal frequency couplings.

How treatment is delivered

In-ear sound generation device

Potential negative consequences

Regarded as safe and well-tolerated.[1]

Evidence offered:

Papers available

PubMed database has 20 papers with both ‘tinnitus’ and ‘neuromodulation’ in the title. Eight studies were included in a systematic review¹.

Conclusions drawn

The available evidence is insufficient for clinical implementation of acoustic CR neuromodulation. A proof for the claim of desynchronization is still lacking.¹

Quality of evidence[2]

A

Does the BTA recommend this treatment?

No, until more high-quality evidence is available

BTA opinion on this treatment:

Independent evidence of the effectiveness of neuromodulation for tinnitus management is lacking.

Would the BTA support further studies into this treatment?

Yes, provided the study is of high quality.

Verdict: Safety - is this treatment harmful?

Regarded as safe

Verdict: Efficacy - does this treatment work?

No evidence of effectiveness