Understanding bothersome ringing in the ears using body responses
Using sympathetic nervous system responses to evaluate distressing tinnitus: a pupillometry and skin conductance feasibility study.
This project aims to find new ways to measure how much ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, bothers Veterans, using physical signs like pupil changes and skin responses.
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 ID | NIH-11072062 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We know that ringing in the ears, called tinnitus, can be very distressing for many, especially Veterans. Currently, we mostly rely on what patients tell us about their tinnitus. This project wants to find objective ways to measure how bothersome tinnitus is, beyond just asking. We will look at how your body reacts to bothersome tinnitus, specifically focusing on changes in pupil size and skin conductance. These physical signs can show how much mental effort you are using or how aroused you are. By studying these responses, we hope to better understand how tinnitus affects concentration and causes distress.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be Veterans aged 21 and older who experience bothersome tinnitus.
Not a fit: Patients whose tinnitus is not bothersome or who are not Veterans may not directly benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to better, more objective ways to identify and treat bothersome tinnitus, especially for Veterans.
How similar studies have performed: While subjective reports are common, developing objective measures for tinnitus distress using these specific physiological responses is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Mountain Home, United States
- 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
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 below.