Introducing Tinnitus Quest

[DimLeb]

Whether it is temporary or prolonged depends on how the limbic system and conscious brain respond. If they interpret it as an important signal of danger, it becomes prolonged. If not, it typically fades after a few hours or days.

Yeah, except it doesn't. That explanation sounds incredibly shortsighted, especially for people with an unknown or idiopathic cause. You might never identify the root issue, and the tinnitus could progressively worsen due to factors like autoimmune conditions, viral infections, hydrops, presbycusis, or many other ear-related diseases.

There's a specific malfunction occurring, and it doesn't care how you interpret it—it just does what it does.

 

[FellowSufferer]

Strange that it costs £110 to access that 2015 paper; I'm able to view the full document clicking your link.

I'm not overly familiar with Rauschecker's most recent work, but the tinnitus paper of his that I generally draw on is this one. I've read comments that it's an overly complicated paper - and I agree it's not an easy read. But where Jastreboff talked about tinnitus distress as a kind of sub-conscious/conscious reaction that a patient can ultimately talk their way out of (but hey, if they can't, it's their fault), Rauschecker paints a subtly different picture. With him I think tinnitus becomes physiological and not something a patient can mitigate by chatting to a psychologist.

Jastreboff is cited by so many researchers, it's almost painful. At the very least, though, I do believe his work can be credited for taking tinnitus beyond the cochlear and into the brain. This is why I'm quite excited about Dan Polley joining Tinnitus Quest. I think the more scientists focus on tinnitus as being a brain issue, the better.

I spent a couple of years putting together some thoughts about all of this and about how aspects of the Rauschecker paper seemed to tie in with various other tinnitus happenings coming down the pike. The result is a layman's thesis on a proposed method of action for tinnitus. It's published here on this website free to read if you're interested.

Ah, it's actually £110 to purchase the Textbook of Tinnitus (published in 2024), a collection of articles by various authors, including Rauschecker. His chapter spans pages 221–230 and costs only £19, which I might buy out of curiosity.

I've downloaded your Tinnitus Gating Model and plan to print it for a thorough read. This year, I'm determined to eliminate my tinnitus, and I genuinely believe I can achieve this as long as I stay focused and avoid distractions.

Yeah, except it doesn't. That explanation sounds incredibly shortsighted, especially for people with an unknown or idiopathic cause. You might never identify the root issue, and the tinnitus could progressively worsen due to factors like autoimmune conditions, viral infections, hydrops, presbycusis, or many other ear-related diseases.

There's a specific malfunction occurring, and it doesn't care how you interpret it—it just does what it does.

That's why I said 90% of cases. Most of the time, tinnitus is caused by acoustic trauma or possibly a head injury. The rarer causes, such as Meniere's disease or the conditions you mentioned, require more specialized care to address the underlying issue.

 

[Nick47]

Is there any possibility of seeking funding from militaries worldwide

@Fazdoll, the funding should primarily come from tinnitus patients rather than organizations. While ex-servicemen are welcome to contribute, the main goal is to prioritize donations from patients rather than relying on organizational funding.

Currently, much of the focus is on engaging with patient groups, encouraging them to sign up and contribute.

 

[IYIiKe]

I would like to request that Tinnitus Quest interview/reach out to Dr. Kelly Assouly and/or Dr. Matthew Carlson regarding the efficacy of extracochlear devices. In fact, together, would be absolutely insane although unlikely with how busy they are.

Dr. Carlson has previously published on the topic here.

Dr. Assouly has previously published research summarizing the literature here.

Both are currently investigating the efficacy of extracochlear devices providing electrical stimulation, in turn providing tinnitus suppression.

Dr. Carlson published a patent in 2017 for such a device.

 

[SafeMusicFan]

This initiative inspired me to join this forum.

First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone contributing to this project. Your efforts mean so much!

The reason I registered is that I felt compelled to share this message. While it may echo sentiments expressed countless times before, I still wanted to add my voice and make a small contribution.

To share a bit about my background: I have been reading success stories here over the past 20 days because my mild tinnitus of 15 years (out of my 33 years of life) decided to spike and evolve into a moderate case as we entered the new year. Perhaps it got excited at the thought of celebrating its 15th anniversary, who knows? While it is not yet severe, I hear my new fluctuating, piercing sound most of the time, and some days have been particularly challenging. To cope, I have sought out positive and uplifting perspectives on tinnitus.

That leads me to this: It took me 20 days to realize that "Tinnitus Quest" exists, despite frequently lurking here. As soon as I discovered it, I became a monthly donor. But honestly, I could have easily missed it altogether.

Let me digress for a moment: I am absolutely convinced that science can solve tinnitus. If the brains of most sufferers were once in a state where they did not generate random signals causing this unwanted noise, then, in theory, they can be reconfigured to return to that state or a similar one. For the fortunate people whose tinnitus resolves on its own, I believe this is exactly what happens. For many others, though, that process does not occur automatically and requires a push from science. In other words, I believe the solution already exists in theory and is waiting to be discovered.

The timeline for that discovery, whether it is 10, 20, or 50 years, will depend on a combination of factors:

1. How much visibility tinnitus and its cure receive in mainstream media (including how much profit the industry believes it could generate).
   
   
2. How much coordinated effort is directed toward finding a cure.
   
   
3. The biggest factor: how much funding is invested.

An initiative like Tinnitus Quest has the potential to address all these factors, but its ultimate impact will depend on the traction and publicity it receives. For this reason, I believe spreading the word about Tinnitus Quest is one of the most beneficial actions any tinnitus sufferer can take this year. With increased exposure, funding will naturally follow. Visibility is absolutely critical to its success.

At the risk of sounding overly idealistic, I believe every individual can make a meaningful difference. Here are a few ideas that came to mind during a quick brainstorming session:

1. Maximize visibility on this forum.
   For example, members could highlight Tinnitus Quest in their signatures. It is essential to convey its purpose at a glance. Something like "Fund Tinnitus Research" or "Support the Search for a Cure" would immediately catch attention and resonate with readers.
   
   
2. Leverage the power of social media and the internet.
   Social media is an incredibly powerful tool. Reaching out to influencers, YouTubers, and educational channels with millions of subscribers could make a significant impact. For instance, channels like CrashCourse or Kurzgesagt often cover topics related to biology, medicine, and science. There are many similar creators with a focus on learning and advocacy, and I believe some would be willing to help. This could potentially lead to partnerships, sponsorships, and most importantly, increased publicity.
   
   
3. Engage with the real world.
   Simple actions like distributing flyers at local concert venues or reaching out to military hospitals about Tinnitus Quest could also help spread the word.

I hope this post does not come across as too scattered, ambitious, or pushy. My intention is simply to share my enthusiasm for this incredible initiative and contribute these ideas. Anything that actively seeks to change the status quo is a win in my book, and I sincerely hope Tinnitus Quest gains significant traction this year.

A cure might not arrive in the immediate future, but with sustained effort and collective action, we may bring it much closer than we think.

Peace to all of you. Take care, stay strong, and let us work together for a brighter tomorrow!

 

[Nick47]

First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone contributing to this project. Your efforts mean so much!

@SafeMusicFan, thank you! Posts like this, from people like you, are what inspire people like me. The volunteers at Tinnitus Quest work hard and with purpose, but without support from the community, our efforts would be in vain. Thank you for joining us in this mission!