Neuromonics

Last updated
Neuromonics
Specialty Audiology

Neuromonics is a non-invasive sound therapy used to manage tinnitus. The therapy involves a customized acoustic stimulus delivered through headphones for a prescribed amount of time each day. It is typically used as part of a comprehensive tinnitus management program that includes counselling, education, and support. Neuromonics has been shown to significantly reduce the impact of tinnitus on daily life for many patients. [1]

Contents

Overview

Neuromonics is a patented treatment for tinnitus that combines acoustic stimulation with cognitive-behavioural therapy to provide relief for people suffering from tinnitus. The treatment aims to retrain the brain to filter out the sounds of tinnitus, making them less noticeable and bothersome. The treatment was developed by audiologist Dr. Paul Davis. [1] [2]

Treatment process

The initial assessment involves a thorough evaluation of the patient's tinnitus as well as their hearing and medical history. Based on the assessment, a customized sound-therapy program is created that includes a series of audio tracks designed to provide a specific sound stimulation tailored to the individual's tinnitus. [3]

The device fitting stage involves fitting the patient with a small, portable device that plays the customized audio tracks. The device is worn for several hours a day over a period of several months. Ongoing support and counselling are also provided throughout the treatment process to help patients cope with their tinnitus and to make any necessary adjustments to the sound-therapy program. [1]

Effectiveness

Several studies have found Neuromonics to be an effective treatment for tinnitus. A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology found that Neuromonics treatment resulted in significant reductions in tinnitus severity, as well as improvements in overall quality of life, compared to a control group that received no treatment. [1] This study does not isolate the impact of sound therapy alone from the effects of counselling that were given simultaneously, however, and the study sample size was relatively small. While some studies have reported positive outcomes, not all research has found Neuromonics to be effective, underscoring the necessity for further investigation to comprehensively evaluate its effectiveness as a treatment for tinnitus. [4]

Safety

While Neuromonics treatment is generally considered safe, it may not be appropriate for all patients. Potential side effects may include temporary exacerbation of tinnitus symptoms, headache, or ear discomfort. Patients considering Neuromonics treatment should consult with a qualified audiologist or other healthcare professional to determine whether the treatment is appropriate for their specific needs. [1] [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ménière's disease</span> Disorder of the inner ear

Ménière's disease (MD) is a disease of the inner ear that is characterized by potentially severe and incapacitating episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. Typically, only one ear is affected initially, but over time, both ears may become involved. Episodes generally last from 20 minutes to a few hours. The time between episodes varies. The hearing loss and ringing in the ears can become constant over time.

Tinnitus is a variety of sound that is heard when no corresponding external sound is present. Nearly everyone experiences faint "normal tinnitus" in a completely quiet room; but it is of concern only if it is bothersome, interferes with normal hearing, or is associated with other problems. The word tinnitus comes from the Latin tinnire, "to ring". In some people, it interferes with concentration, and can be associated with anxiety and depression.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cochlear implant</span> Prosthesis

A cochlear implant (CI) is a surgically implanted neuroprosthesis that provides a person who has moderate-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss with sound perception. With the help of therapy, cochlear implants may allow for improved speech understanding in both quiet and noisy environments. A CI bypasses acoustic hearing by direct electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve. Through everyday listening and auditory training, cochlear implants allow both children and adults to learn to interpret those signals as speech and sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hearing aid</span> Electroacoustic device

A hearing aid is a device designed to improve hearing by making sound audible to a person with hearing loss. Hearing aids are classified as medical devices in most countries, and regulated by the respective regulations. Small audio amplifiers such as personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) or other plain sound reinforcing systems cannot be sold as "hearing aids".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audiology</span> Branch of science that studies hearing, balance, and related disorders

Audiology is a branch of science that studies hearing, balance, and related disorders. Audiologists treat those with hearing loss and proactively prevent related damage. By employing various testing strategies, audiologists aim to determine whether someone has normal sensitivity to sounds. If hearing loss is identified, audiologists determine which portions of hearing are affected, to what degree, and where the lesion causing the hearing loss is found. If an audiologist determines that a hearing loss or vestibular abnormality is present, they will provide recommendations for interventions or rehabilitation.

An otoacoustic emission (OAE) is a sound that is generated from within the inner ear. Having been predicted by Austrian astrophysicist Thomas Gold in 1948, its existence was first demonstrated experimentally by British physicist David Kemp in 1978, and otoacoustic emissions have since been shown to arise through a number of different cellular and mechanical causes within the inner ear. Studies have shown that OAEs disappear after the inner ear has been damaged, so OAEs are often used in the laboratory and the clinic as a measure of inner ear health.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audiometry</span> Branch of audiology measuring hearing sensitivity

Audiometry is a branch of audiology and the science of measuring hearing acuity for variations in sound intensity and pitch and for tonal purity, involving thresholds and differing frequencies. Typically, audiometric tests determine a subject's hearing levels with the help of an audiometer, but may also measure ability to discriminate between different sound intensities, recognize pitch, or distinguish speech from background noise. Acoustic reflex and otoacoustic emissions may also be measured. Results of audiometric tests are used to diagnose hearing loss or diseases of the ear, and often make use of an audiogram.

Hyperacusis is an increased sensitivity to sound and a low tolerance for environmental noise. Definitions of hyperacusis can vary significantly, but it is often categorized into four subtypes: loudness, pain, annoyance, and fear. It can be a highly debilitating hearing disorder.

Unilateral hearing loss (UHL) is a type of hearing impairment where there is normal hearing in one ear and impaired hearing in the other ear.

Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, is the cumulative effect of aging on hearing. It is a progressive and irreversible bilateral symmetrical age-related sensorineural hearing loss resulting from degeneration of the cochlea or associated structures of the inner ear or auditory nerves. The hearing loss is most marked at higher frequencies. Hearing loss that accumulates with age but is caused by factors other than normal aging is not presbycusis, although differentiating the individual effects of distinct causes of hearing loss can be difficult.

Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is a form of habituation therapy designed to help people who experience tinnitus—a ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other sound heard when no external sound source is present. Two key components of TRT directly follow from the neurophysiological model of tinnitus: Directive counseling aims to help the sufferer reclassify tinnitus to a category of neutral signals, and sound therapy weakens tinnitus-related neuronal activity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bone-anchored hearing aid</span>

A bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is a type of hearing aid based on bone conduction. It is primarily suited for people who have conductive hearing losses, unilateral hearing loss, single-sided deafness and people with mixed hearing losses who cannot otherwise wear 'in the ear' or 'behind the ear' hearing aids. They are more expensive than conventional hearing aids, and their placement involves invasive surgery which carries a risk of complications, although when complications do occur, they are usually minor.

Auditory integration training (AIT) is a procedure pioneered in France by Guy Bérard, who promoted it as a cure for clinical depression and suicidal tendencies, along with what he said were very positive results for dyslexia and autism, although there has been very little empirical evidence regarding this assertion. It typically involves 20 half-hour sessions over 10 days listening to specially filtered and modulated music. It was used in the early 1990s as a treatment for autism; it has been promoted as a treatment for ADHD, depression, and a wide variety of other disorders. AIT has not met scientific standards for efficacy that would justify its use as a treatment for any condition.

The auditory brainstem response (ABR), also called brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA), is an auditory evoked potential extracted from ongoing electrical activity in the brain and recorded via electrodes placed on the scalp. The measured recording is a series of six to seven vertex positive waves of which I through V are evaluated. These waves, labeled with Roman numerals in Jewett and Williston convention, occur in the first 10 milliseconds after onset of an auditory stimulus. The ABR is considered an exogenous response because it is dependent upon external factors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noise-induced hearing loss</span> Medical condition

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a hearing impairment resulting from exposure to loud sound. People may have a loss of perception of a narrow range of frequencies or impaired perception of sound including sensitivity to sound or ringing in the ears. When exposure to hazards such as noise occur at work and is associated with hearing loss, it is referred to as occupational hearing loss.

An auditory brainstem implant (ABI) is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf, due to retrocochlear hearing impairment. In Europe, ABIs have been used in children and adults, and in patients with neurofibromatosis type II.

Tinnitus maskers are a range of devices based on simple white noise machines used to add natural or artificial sound into a tinnitus sufferer's environment in order to mask or cover up the ringing. The noise is supplied by a sound generator, which may reside in or above the ear or be placed on a table or elsewhere in the environment. The noise is usually white noise or music, but in some cases, it may be patterned sound or specially tailored sound based on the characteristics of the person's tinnitus.

SoundBite Hearing System is a non-surgical bone conduction prosthetic device that transmits sound via the teeth. It is an alternative to surgical bone conduction prosthetic devices, which require surgical implantation into the skull to conduct sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Real ear measurement</span>

Real ear measurement is the measurement of sound pressure level in a patient's ear canal developed when a hearing aid is worn. It is measured with the use of a silicone probe tube inserted in the canal connected to a microphone outside the ear and is done to verify that the hearing aid is providing suitable amplification for a patient's hearing loss. The American Speech–Language–Hearing Association (ASHA) and American Academy of Audiology (AAA) recommend real ear measures as the preferred method of verifying the performance of hearing aids. Used by audiologists and other hearing healthcare practitioners in the process of hearing aid fitting, real ear measures are the most reliable and efficient method for assessing the benefit provided by the amplification. Measurement of the sound level in the ear canal allows the clinician to make informed judgements on audibility of sound in the ear and the effectiveness of hearing aid treatment.

Computational audiology is a branch of audiology that employs techniques from mathematics and computer science to improve clinical treatments and scientific understanding of the auditory system. Computational audiology is closely related to computational medicine, which uses quantitative models to develop improved methods for general disease diagnosis and treatment.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Davis, P. B.; Paki, B.; Hanley, P. J. (2007). "Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment: Third clinical trial". Ear and Hearing. 28 (2): 242–259. doi:10.1097/AUD.0b013e3180312619. PMID   17496674. S2CID   6501118.
  2. 1 2 Henry, J. A.; Istvan, J. (2010). "An Independent Review of Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment Controlled Clinical Trials". Australian & New Zealand Journal of Audiology. 32 (1): 41–55.
  3. ↑ Hanley, P. J.; Davis, P. B. (2008). "Treatment of Tinnitus with a Customized, Dynamic Acoustic Neural Stimulus: Underlying Principles and Clinical Efficacy". Trends in Amplification. 12 (3): 210–222. doi:10.1177/1084713808319942. PMC   4134889 . PMID   18614554.
  4. ↑ Hobson, J.; Chisholm, E.; El Refaie, A. (2012). "Sound therapy (Masking) in the management of tinnitus in adults". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2012 (11): CD006371. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006371.pub3. PMC   7390392 . PMID   23152235.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.