Investigating the brain's response to different types of tinnitus.
Official title: Subjective and Somatic Tinnitus; Using Functional Near-Infrared-Spectroscopy to Identify Objective Correlates in Auditory and Non-Auditory Cortices
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10859739 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at tinnitus, a condition where people hear sounds that aren't there, to better understand how it works and how it relates to hearing loss and head movements, using special brain imaging to find out what’s happening in the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 9, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $504,117 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DC021746-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10859739 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing tinnitus, particularly those who can modulate their symptoms through head and neck movements.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with tinnitus that is solely due to hearing loss without any somatic influence may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding tinnitus, a condition where individuals perceive phantom sounds. It distinguishes between two types of tinnitus: one linked to hearing loss and another that can be influenced by head and neck movements. Using advanced brain imaging techniques, specifically functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), the study aims to identify objective brain responses associated with these tinnitus types. By examining the auditory cortex and its connections, the research seeks to uncover the underlying mechanisms of tinnitus and improve diagnostic accuracy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better diagnostic tools and treatment options for individuals suffering from tinnitus.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using fNIRS to identify brain responses in tinnitus patients, indicating that this approach has potential for further advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Basura, Gregory Joseph — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Basura, Gregory Joseph
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.
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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.
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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.