Acoustic and Electrical Stimulation for Tinnitus

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study explores whether acoustic stimulation through headphones and electrical stimulation of the inner ear can suppress or eliminate tinnitus. Participants will be given sound stimuli at various frequencies and loudness levels, and report perceived tinnitus loudness at intervals. For electrical stimulation, pulse trains delivered via the inner ear will be tested to determine their effect on tinnitus. The trial includes adults 18 and older, with and without cochlear implants, and excludes those with certain medical or situational factors that could confound results. The long-term goal is to develop new methods to reduce or remove tinnitus symptoms.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18 years or older
2. Male or female
3. Tinnitus present for 6 months or more
4. Adequate command of English to reliably describe the unusual sensory percepts provided by electrical stimulation, and to complete surveys.
5. For patients undergoing electrical stimulation via a cochlear implant, they should have a cochlear implant prior to enrollment (not applicable for acoustic stimulation)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Aged less than 18 years
2. Active illicit drug use, alcohol dependence
3. Treatable cause of tinnitus
4. History of psychosis
5. Abnormalities of the ear canal or ear drum
6. Chronic middle ear disease
7. Subjects on medications known to cause tinnitus (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) which could not be stopped will be excluded.
8. Pregnant or breastfeeding.

Where it's running

• Hamid R. Djalilian
  Irvine, California, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Hamid Djalilian, MD — University of California, Irvine
• Study coordinator: Hamid Djalilian, MD
• Email: tinnitus@uci.edu

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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• Foot reflexology or ta-VNS for tinnitus in adults

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• Neck nerve electrical stimulation combined with sound-frequency training for chronic tonal tinnitus

  This trial tests whether pairing a safe electrical stimulation of the greater occipital nerve with an active sound-frequency training task can reduce tinnitus loudness and distress in adults with chronic tonal tinnitus.

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.