Subjective and Somatic Tinnitus: Finding Objective Brain Signals with a Special fNIRS Scan
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-11392954 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $504,848 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC021746-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392954 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with subjective tinnitus, including those whose symptoms are modulated by jaw/head movement (somatic tinnitus) and those with non-somatic tinnitus.
✕Less likely to help
People without tinnitus or those unable to participate in brain-imaging sessions may not benefit.
What this research studies
Tinnitus is a phantom sound that can arise from different brain pathways. This project uses a specialized fNIRS method to measure brain activity in the auditory cortex and related areas, aiming to find objective markers of tinnitus in humans. The research builds on prior work showing neural changes in tinnitus and on a previous successful adaptation of the fNIRS probe for the ear area. By comparing non-somatic tinnitus with somatic tinnitus, the study seeks to understand how different causes affect brain signals and plasticity. If successful, these brain markers could guide future diagnostics or therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach works, patients could get more objective tinnitus assessments and targeted treatments in the future.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown measurable brain signals related to tinnitus; this project advances non-invasive brain imaging in humans.
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.
-
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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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.
-
Notched Noise Therapy for Tinnitus Relief
This project explores a special sound therapy called Notched Noise Therapy to help Veterans who experience ringing in their ears, also known as tinnitus.
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.