Neuromonics trial findings of interest to tinnitus sufferers

Sufferers of tinnitus in the UK may well have heard of a treatment pioneered in Australia called Neuromonics. Although the device used in the treatment is FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) cleared, it has yet to be awarded a CE mark and so, is still unavailable in Europe.

However, Neuromonics announced the publication of a controlled Tinnitus treatment study in 2008. It was the first clinical study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment (NTT) compared to relevant control groups.

NTT provides acoustic neural stimulus, customized to the individual audiological profile of each patient, delivered in the form of specially processed music. Over a period of several months, typically six, the treatment is designed to offer relief and relaxation initially, followed by desensitization to the negative reaction to tinnitus.

The 50 patients enrolled on the study had clinically significant tinnitus, characterized by ringing in the ears. Patients were randomly assigned control groups: A) Neuromonics treatment group, B) broadband stimulation (a current prescribed treatment for tinnitus also known as Tinnitus Retraining Therapy) and, C) no acoustic stimulation.

The primary measure for clinical benefit was a tinnitus reaction questionnaire (TRQ); a self report measure of tinnitus-related disturbance and impact on quality of life, carried out over a six month period. Evaluation of the TRQ showed mean improvements over the six months at 66 percent for the NTT group, 22 percent for the broadband stimulation group and 15 percent for the final group with no acoustic stimulation. Key results of the study

• Patients reporting a 40 percent or above improvement in TRQ score, was 86 percent of the NTT group, 47 percent of the broadband group and 23 percent of the no sound group.
• When comparing sleep and relaxation the NTT group self-reported significantly greater improvement than the other control groups. 86 percent of the Neuromonics group reported notable relaxation benefits.
• A measure of tinnitus perception, known as masking levels, was significantly reduced in the NTT group; with a mean improvement of 9.9 decibels at six months. The two other control groups showed no significant improvement.
• The NTT group showed a significant improvement in hyperacusis, (the intolerance of loud sound). Again, changes in the two control groups were not significant.

YouClaim and no win no fee tinnitus claims
If you are experiencing tinnitus as a result of being exposed to damaging levels of noise at work and you think your employer may be at fault, YouClaim could help you make a no win, no fee industrial deafness compensation claim. Call our helpline today on 0800 10 757 95 and speak to one of our advisors, or you can request a more convenient time when we can call you back. Alternatively, you may wish to fill out an online claim form and we will call you back to discuss your tinnitus claim at a time to suit you.