Evaluating how the body's response relates to distressing tinnitus.
Official title: Using sympathetic nervous system responses to evaluate distressing tinnitus: a pupillometry and skin conductance feasibility study.
Funded at James H Quillen VA Medical Center · NIH-10928371 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the body's reactions to stress are connected to the distress caused by tinnitus in Veterans, and it aims to find better ways to understand and help those who experience this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | James H Quillen VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mountain Home, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| NIH project number | 1I21RX005157-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10928371 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans experiencing tinnitus and its associated distress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without tinnitus or those who do not experience distress related to their tinnitus may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between sympathetic nervous system responses and tinnitus distress, particularly in Veterans. By using techniques like pupillometry and skin conductance, the study aims to objectively measure how tinnitus affects listening effort and emotional processing. The goal is to develop tools that can differentiate between the presence of tinnitus and the distress it causes, which is crucial for improving patient care and treatment outcomes. Participants will undergo assessments that capture their physiological responses while they engage with auditory stimuli.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better diagnostic tools and treatments for individuals suffering from distressing tinnitus.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using physiological measures to assess tinnitus distress is innovative, similar methodologies have shown promise in related fields, suggesting potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
James H Quillen VA Medical Center
Mountain Home, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Giuliani, Nicholas — James H Quillen VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Giuliani, Nicholas
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how stress and arousal relate to tinnitus using eye and skin signals
Researchers will test whether easy-to-measure signals like pupil size and skin conductance can reflect how distressing tinnitus feels in adults, especially Veterans.
-
Understanding why age-related hearing loss and tinnitus happen in diverse groups
A study aims to find genetic reasons behind age-related hearing loss and tinnitus in African ancestry and Latino populations.
-
Subjective and Somatic Tinnitus: Finding Objective Brain Signals with a Special fNIRS Scan
This grant tests a brain-imaging approach to identify objective brain signals in people with tinnitus, including those whose phantom sounds change with jaw or head movements.
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Hormones, gut bacteria, and blood markers linked to tinnitus in women
This study looks at how hormones, gut microbes, and metabolic signals relate to the start and possible remission of tinnitus in women.
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Understanding age-related hearing loss and tinnitus in diverse communities
This project looks for genetic changes linked to age-related hearing loss and ringing in the ears using large whole-genome datasets, focusing especially on people of African and Latino backgrounds.
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Diagnosing and treating tinnitus linked to head, neck, or jaw problems
This project develops a screening test and a physical-therapy treatment for people—especially Veterans—whose tinnitus changes with head, neck, jaw, or eye movements.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.