Cochlear Implants as a Treatment of Tinnitus

I wonder if they will ever look to expand the criteria for people who just fall outside of the requirements for a cochlear implant.

 

That's why I'm interested in SENS-401. I think the ability to preserve more residual hearing is key.

 

I heard a theory from an audiologist sometime back; he thought hearing aids were still important for people with tinnitus and hearing loss, but not enough hearing loss to need hearing aids. The theory is that the hearing aids will help to still possibly stimulate neurons which may be important to cure tinnitus and hearing loss if there ever is to be a cure sometime down the road. Have you come across any research regarding this?

Admittedly this is probably more of a hypothesis than a theory, considering they do not have any real way to prove this.

 

Yes, I've heard it. It sells hearing aids and is merely a hypothesis as far as I'm aware.

 

Stories like these are enough to scare me away from looking into cochlear implants. They do give some people tinnitus, maybe because it's such a destructive procedure.

 

I think the requirements for having a cochlear implant just are what they are. To me, this is a last ditch, high risk gamble "just" to simply mitigate tinnitus.

I know, when our tinnitus is really screaming, we think we would do anything to get away from it. But would you want to hear what I'm hearing on this website below? I sure wouldn't, and if speech sounds like this, just imagine how everything else sounds? Might sound like something out of a nightmare.

These are recorded simulations from the University of Connecticut of how you would hear w/ a cochlear implant.

 

One successful cochlear implant story within this:

ARO 2023: Hearing Researchers Lack Basic...

 

From what I've read, you have a chance of 70-80% of tinnitus being eliminated or reduced, 10-15% no change, and 5% worsening.

A cochlear implant seems to be the best treatment option for many with severe-profound hearing loss.

Now what are the odds with DBS or Neurosoft?

 

Kelly Assouly, who studies hearing restoration specifically as a treatment for tinnitus, is one of the authors.

The indication was single-sided deafness with tinnitus.

→ Tinnitus reduction in patients with single-sided deafness: the effect of cochlear implantation, bone conduction devices, and contralateral routing of sound hearing aids investigated in a randomized controlled trial

 

I have profound hearing loss. It is heartening to know this tech is being developed.

I see DBS going nowhere for a multitude of reasons. I am unaware of Neurosoft.

Thanks for the updates, @Nick47.

 

Hi @Daniel Lion, I have unilateral profound high-frequency hearing loss. What's your audiogram like? Cochlear implants have been around for 50 years, and the technology has improved quite a bit. Are you not a candidate?

Have a look at the Neurosoft thread. The DBS is slow, slow, and slower. Due to the hardware, it's also risky, more so than Neurosoft. With Neurosoft, it's the unknown. There is no data to go on other than that they have tested safety in Epilepsy patients.

 

My audiogram is like a ski slope. I had two after my sudden hearing loss and have forgotten the details, and I lost the audiograms in my ensuing madness and torment. I was horrified at how bad they were. The doctor said I should get hearing aids, but because I had hyperacusis at the time, I was terrified of putting anything in or close to my ears. I still feel this way and can cope with my 24-hour eeeeee tinnitus.

I am 57 now. If things get worse or stay the same, I will explore mechanical devices in the future and even cochlear implants if their success rate for tinnitus pans out high. It would be amazing to live without this. Until then, I stay busy and positive.

Take care, @Nick47. Thank you for your contributions to Tinnitus Talk.

 

What was the trajectory of your hyperacusis? It has presumably improved? Over what duration?

 

Hi,

My hyperacusis has improved dramatically, but I am still super cautious about plugging up. I just took a 13-hour flight and wore clunky Peltor earmuffs the entire journey. That or foam earplugs and each physically hurt over time. Earmuffs are less painful. I digress.

It probably took a year before it went into what I call remission. I think it left me with some PTSD, but I am happy it is gone, and I am only left with my loud tinnitus. Hyperacusis is a killer. Clean living, head massage, quiet, and time helped me.

Are you suffering from hyperacusis, @AverageJoe12?

 

Hey @Daniel Lion, thank you so much for sharing.

In addition to hyperacusis, did you have sound reactive tinnitus in which the tinnitus would exacerbate or worsen in reaction to external sounds? If so, do you still have that now?

I do not have hyperacusis, but reactivity has been with me for almost two years now. There have been times where I feel it calms down, but a spike can bring it right back to ground zero.

I'm just curious if you had this and if it faded along with your hyperacusis.

 

Hi @ErikaS ,
I have never had reactivity. My tinnitus is always loud and constant, but it doesn't really change.

Sorry, I cannot be of any help.

I wish the best for you. I know it is hard.
Hugs

 

Hi all, new here! After nonstop reading on the subject of tinnitus, this paper gives me hope!

 

Hi Tim, it's been known for decades that cochlear implants 'can' reduce or eliminate tinnitus in those with severe-profound hearing loss. This finding led a couple of researchers to develop middle ear implants to stimulate the cochlear nerve electrically.

 

Let’s get this show on the road.

 

After doing some more research, it seems that if you have mild hearing loss along with tinnitus, the cochlear implant procedure can eliminate your remaining natural hearing without fully guaranteeing the elimination of tinnitus. This could make you reliant on the implant for the rest of your life.

 

My post was about middle ear implants that aim not to interfere with residual hearing.

Also, my tinnitus is so bad that I would rather be deaf.