SoundCure Serenade Tinnitus Treatment System

[John Bacon]

I am new to Tinnitus and I known many if not all of you have heard of this. I would like to know
if any of you has any credible evidence that Senerade works or ANY first hand knowledge that it
is useful. I can't find any supporting evidence. It's hard to believe that a university would promote
a product that does not work.

Thanks

 

[J Robinson]

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/so...of-clinical-tinnitus-study-results-2012-05-15

 

[Karl]

This is your reporter from the field, having just tested the Soundcure Serenade device. I was at my audiologist today, for my 3 month check-in to discuss my tinnius condition. She kept me waiting quite a long time. So, on the premise of making things up for keeping me waiting, she let me try Soundcure. The device is new to her, so this gave her some practice using it.

Here's what it's about:

1. Soundcure is a little white plastic box, about 2 1/2" wide x 3 1/2"high. It has two ear-buds.
2. Your audiologist plugs a USB cable into the box which is connected to a computer running the Soundcure application.
3. You listen to a range of frequencies, finding the frequency that best matches your tinnitus.
4. You then listen to a series of different frequencies at varying amplitudes. You're asked to describe if the sound is "no sound", "very soft", "soft", "medium", "loud", "very loud" or "too loud".
5. After a lengthy series of these test, the program determines your target frequency and how you perceive loudness.
6. The program application downloads your "S-tone" parameters to the Soundcure device, and you're ready-to-go.

Soundcure has 4 "S-Tones". The first two sounded kind-of like chirping frequencies which match the tinnitus frequency. The 3rd tone is a narrow band white noise (sort of like white noise with a bias toward the tinnitus frequency). The 4th tone is a wider band white noise (biased toward the tinnuts frequency?-not sure about that).

How do you use it: You wear it to provide relief from tinnitus as needed. Also, the device is used to habituate the user.

The cost: $2,000. If you don't like it before 2 weeks, it can be returned.

She will be sending me a research paper about Soundcure.

 

[erik]

Nice Karl, do you plan to try it for at least the 2 weeks?

 

[Karl]

erik -
Not sure if I'll go for this, because it's a lot of money.

Here's a link to the paper titled, "Patterned Sound Therapy for the Treatment of Tinnitus", explaining how this works:
http://www.healthaffairs.uci.edu/hesp/publications/patternedsoundtherapy_reavis.pdf

 

[Karl]

The below images are a portion of article that appeared in The Hearing Journal. It describes the research that was done in California using sound therapy that is used in the Soundcure Serenade device.

Here's the link to the paper:
http://www.healthaffairs.uci.edu/hesp/publications/patternedsoundtherapy_reavis.pdf

 

[erik]

Thanks Karl, this is interesting. They offer soundcure where I live but it's so damn expensive. I wonder if they offer a trial period like most hearing aids?

 

[Karen]

They do not yet offer Soundcure where I live (I checked on their website). I'd certainly like to at least try it when it does come available. A trial period sounds like a great idea! Hope they will do that.

 

[Karl]

It's possible to create your own MP3 files, if you want to give it a try. I've been doing this myself. It's sort involved, as you will see. Here's what you do...
1. Download a sound generator, such as the one from NCH software (http://www.nch.com)
2. Assuming you have been to an audiologist and have an audiogram, your tinnitus frequency will be indicated where you have hearing loss. I have hearing loss my right ear at 4k and 8k. My tinnitus is at 4k.
3. The NCH tone generator plays continuous tones. Adjust the volume so that it's soft. Try to match the pitch with your tinnitus tone. Mine is about 4026 Hz.
4. Try to match the quality your tinnitus using the sine wave, square wave, or saw-tooth wave feature.
5. Save the tone file.
6. If you have more than one tone, add more tones. Save it.

OK, now you've got a simple tone. The next thing, you need to make it "patterned", to make it more cognitively interesting. That's the point of this research paper.

On the NCH tone generator application, there is a button "Edit tone". This sends the simple tone to the NCH sound editor called the "WavePad" editor.
1. In WavePad, you will see your simple tone, which plays for 1 minute.
2. There is a menu for special effects. Try the tremelo effect. This will produce a sound a patterned sound that is patterned - more interesting that a sine wave, so to speak. Try "wah-wah", etc.

The NCH generators are inexpensive. You will need to purchase these to make an MP3 file, unless you have a digital recorder (which I do).

There is also Tinnitus Tamer, which has less control, but the "sweep" feature is cool. If you go with Tinnitus Tamer, it's basically the same exercise: Try to make a sound that is very close to your tinnitus pitch, but make it "patterned" (i.e. more interesting), by using the sweep feature or the noise feature.

As I said, these are my experiments. I may break down and get Soundcure. The fact that these people have gone through all this research and testing would give me confidence, rather than Jerry-rigging an MP3 file. But, what the heck, the paper mentions that people can make their own MP3 files like I'm doing!

Karen -
I'm sure that your audiologist can order Soundcure if they don't have it yet. Remember, your audiologist is in the business of selling hearing aids and tinnitus maskers!

 

[Karen]

Karl --- Excellent explanation (above) for home-made tones! I'm not much of a "techie", and you explained it very well to me.

Maybe I will try contacting my audiologist about the Soundcure system. I just wonder, if they order it especially for me, if they will expect me to buy it. I'd like to at least give it a two-week trial first.

I"ve been using the UST for 5 months now, and, while it has helped me some, I'm still experiencing pretty bad ringing and pulsating. (I know sound therapy will not cure pulsating, but it would at least be helpful if I could quiet the tinnitus a couple of notches!)

Thanks again for the detailed explanation!

 

[erik]

I just found out locally I can get SoundCure device. The device has a 30 trial period, if you decided to return it there would be an $80.00 restocking fee charged. The cost of the device is $975.00 and it has a one year repair warranty. I don't think this includes cost of exam and/or any set up fees.

 

[Karl]

Erik -
Holy smokes, $975!!! My audiologist told me $2000 + $250 for the exam!!!
Thank you for this information. You may have just saved me $1375.

Yes, I intially used UST, too. No control over the sound.

 

[erik]

Karl, yes that was the email quote I got so I hope it's right!

 

[Karl]

The "wind is out of my sail" this morning about Soundcure. Although the research was funded by the ATA, I'm sensing something snake-oily. The ATA is anxious to find a cure, and Soundcure, Inc., is anxious to make money.
I visited another tinnitus site and I found only one comment from someone who has used Soundcure. It was a negative review. This person returned the Soundcure device after only one month. Isn't it strange that it is very difficult to find any reviews about this thing?

 

[erik]

Karl, I'm not sure about this either. The Audiologist in the only one place that offers SoundCure told me he has yet to fit anyone with the device so he has no personal data on its effectiveness. He did tell me that I could try it for 30 days and if I decided to return it, I would have to pay $80 fee that's it. So I may still give this a shot.

 

[Molan]

Hi Erik, if you decide to give a shot please keep us all informed of your progress.

 

[erik]

Yes Molan, I will. I have a consult in a few days

 

[erik]

If I am not feeling it in my appt this Friday to look at Soundcure, I may just go in for the full TRT at the Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland which is about 6 hours from me. I just inquired on info and cost.

 

[erik]

Took a look and listen at SoundCure this morning. I am not that overly impressed at all. Certainly not worth the money in my book. Didn't seem to be any better than my phone playing sound files or white noise. The only cool feature is that you could adjust L/R sounds independently other than that, it was bulky, plastic device, not obscure in the least. Look like first generation mp3 players when they were huge. Soundtones were not that impressive.

 

[mike]

I just saw this on another forum and thought I would pass it along.

Veterans Affairs Department Awards Contract to Provide SoundCure Serenade to Treat Tinnitus

SAN JOSE, CA, Aug 13, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- American soldiers returning from service abroad and other veterans who suffer from debilitating tinnitus now have access to advanced treatment covered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Starting Aug. 15th, the VA will begin providing SoundCure(TM) Serenade(R) customized sound therapy for veterans suffering from tinnitus, or "ringing in the ears."
"We are very pleased to make this valuable treatment available to our nation's troops serving us in so many ways," stated Bill Perry, CEO of SoundCure. "Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other explosions and noise damage can leave soldiers with a painful -- and constant -- reminder of their time on the battlefield. We are proud to work through the VA to provide a tinnitus solution and relief to military personnel."
Tinnitus, which is most commonly the result of damage to the auditory system, is the number one disability affecting veterans. In the military, exposure to weapons systems, aircraft and other loud equipment that can cause damage is a daily occurrence. According to the American Tinnitus Association, the 2011 estimated cost of annual tinnitus disability payments for war veterans was over $1 billion. Severe tinnitus can be extremely incapacitating, causing stress, anxiety, and problems sleeping or concentrating.
In the U.S., the VA system consists of more than 170 medical centers and about 350 community clinics, with more facilities overseas. The number of veterans on the rolls for tinnitus was estimated to be over 800,000 in 2011.
The FDA-cleared Serenade handheld device is anchored by S-Tones(R). This novel treatment uses soft tones that are modulated at a specific rate and were created from independent university research. S-Tones were designed to provide relief to patients at volumes softer than the patient's tinnitus to reduce, rather than add to, the patient's sound burden. Serenade generates customized sound therapy for the patient's unique tinnitus after testing and programming by a VA audiologist.
About SoundCure, Inc. Established in 2009, SoundCure, Inc. is a privately held medical device company whose mission is to revolutionize the treatment of tinnitus and provide relief to the millions of people suffering its effects. The SoundCure Serenade Tinnitus Treatment System is indicated for use in the temporary relief of tinnitus symptoms, and can be used in an on-going tinnitus management program to provide long term relief. SoundCure is an Allied Minds company. For more information, visit www.soundcure.com

 

[Karen]

Thank you for this information, Mike! If you go to the website, there is a way to find providers of this device in your area. I found that there are three providers in mine. It might be worth a try!

Are you considering trying the Serenade device?

 

[mock turtle]

yesterday while listening to a popular rock n roll, blues, folk rock station.... i heard a brief advertisement for a product called "serenade"

i recall that back in march a poster here named " the B man" provided some information and a link regarding this company and their product

i checked around and found that they claim to be using sound in the form of low frequency "S tones" to cause the brain to stop the excess firing of neurons

anyway this advertisement gave a toll free number, claimed the treatment was very effective in eliminating tinnitus and raved about how serenade would relieve sufferers from the noise in their heads, and was FDA approved.... but stopped short of saying it was a cure...and they put out a toll free number

im not going to call because i cant handle having my hopes dashed over and over again...

im going to wait until there are headline news storys about a long string of successes before i take the leap

just fyi that this company is advertising and claiming successes

disclaimer...i have no financial or other interest or connection with this company..and im a skeptic but id love to be wrong

best wishes

 

[erik]

Hey Mock, I believe this is the soundcure serenade device. They are the only company that has the patent on s-tones. It was recently awarded a contract with the Veterans Administration. I tried it out at my audiologist the office a couple months ago but was not really happy with the results it was just a bunch of a different types of white noise and at the time the white noise was really bothering my T. So I didn't think it's worth a couple thousand dollars they were asking for the device
But it did have a 30 day return policy.

 

[Karen]

Hi --- I found an audiologist in my area who has the Soundcure Serenade (she has only 2 of the devices to loan out), and I am scheduled to try one out later this week. If I have any success, I'll report back and let you all know!

 

[Fish]

Good luck Karen! I hope it works great for you.

 

[Karen]

Thanks, Fish! Will let you know how it works for me.

 

[erik]

Yes, good luck Karen. I hope it does work for you. It is supposed to have a 70% success rate which is pretty good.

 

[Karen]

Thanks, Erik! But what I still don't understand about SoundCure Serenade is ---- does it alleviate tinnitus longer-term, or is it only meant as a short-term aid? From reading their online information, I am still kind of fuzzy on this. Guess I'll find out for myself soon!

 

[erik]

Karen, it is an iPod like device with earbuds that is programmed to your frequency. There are different s-tones and white noise that you listen to several hours a day. Over time it is supposed to relieve your T symptoms, lower the T level similar to Nurmonics. It is mostly for tinnitus relief but been shown to be long term in some people. It didn't work for me because I cannot nail down my tinnitus frequency pitch exactly and mine fluctuates. I believe these sound therapies are more successful if you have constant tonal type of tinnitus which I do not.

 

[Jeff Carroll]

I am glad to see people hearing the advertising and posting about it! My name is Jeff Carroll and I am the Director of Clinical Services and Engineering for SoundCure and former Director of the Tinnitus Treatment Center at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. SoundCure makes a handheld medical device called the Serenade that is used for the treatment of tinnitus. Serenade has a number of different types of sounds on it – there are 4 different sound tracks available to be used as part of a sound therapy program. Only one of these is white noise, which is effective for some people. However, most notably, Serenade includes a new type of treatment sound called S-Tones. S-Tones were developed by researchers at the University of California, Irvine and they are only available on the Serenade device. The hearing researchers who developed this technology have shown that S-Tones can interfere with a patient's tinnitus at listening volumes that are softer than traditional sound therapy approaches. This means that patients are often able to get an acute, or more immediate, relief from their tinnitus. For some this is dramatic, for others it is simply a lessening of their tinnitus with a sound that is significantly easier to ignore. In fact, Serenade is designed to be listened to at a level that is ignorable. You set the sound and then try to put it in the background. Serenade can also be used as part of a tinnitus management program. As such, many patients may receive long term benefit, through a process known as habituation. Habituation is the process by which a patient gradually perceives his tinnitus less frequently and has increasing periods where he "doesn't notice" his tinnitus. This is not simply "getting used to it" but is a change in perceptual awareness. Serenade may not be for everyone but we are seeing more and more great success stories every day. If you would like more information you can check our website. You can also find a provider in your area. There is no way to predict whether any particular treatment will work for you until you try it. The best thing to do is to see a trained and qualified audiologist and get an evaluation. Then the audiologist can determine the best course of treatment for you. I sincerely wish you the best in your search for tinnitus relief.