The first clinical trial to investigate the effect of a standardized physical therapy treatment—directed to the cervical spine—on tinnitus is being conducted by Sarah Michiels, MSc, and colleagues at the University of Antwerp. The randomized and controlled trial, which began in May, will also seek to identify a subgroup within the tinnitus population that benefits from physical therapy treatment. The researchers will investigate the effect of a standardized physical therapy treatment protocol on somatic tinnitus with a prospective comparative delayed design and with blinded evaluator for baseline, end of therapy, and 6 and 12 weeks after therapy. A group from the University of Texas’ Callier Center for Communication Disorders including Shawna Jackson, Jeffrey Martin, Sven Vanneste, Sarah Tillman, Devon Palumb and Evon Mattice will work on a clinical trial testing a new treatment for tinnitus. Your comments are subject to our Terms of Service and the privacy policy and terms of service of your social network.

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I can cover it up, but it’s not really changing their perception of it or the perception of loudness of it,” she said.Sven Vanneste, UTD associate professor, will lead a team, including Jackson, to test a treatment that goes to the source of the perceived sound — the brain. The nerve controls functions such as muscle movement and breathing.UT Southwestern Medical Center will handle the surgery, while data collection and patient follow-ups will be completed at the Callier Center, Vanneste said. The trial will take place at three other sites, too.The treatment couples vagus nerve stimulation with audible tones introduced via headphones.

Patients will undergo the therapy two-and-a-half hours a day, five days a week for 12 weeks, which can be completed at home.