Deep brain stimulation safe and feasible for severe tinnitus
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is safe and potentially effective in people with severe tinnitus. This is according to a study by Maastricht UMC+, in which four patients underwent brain surgery. None of them experienced any lasting side effects, and three of them noticed a reduction in their symptoms. The results for the first patients treated with brain stimulation were published in Neurotherapeutics.
Tinnitus, also known as ringing in the ears, is a condition in which people constantly hear a sound without there being an external sound source. This can be a squeaking, hissing or humming noise. It is estimated that around 14% of the population suffers from this to a greater or lesser extent. For a small group, existing treatments, such as hearing aids or cognitive therapy, are insufficient. "They are often left with persistent symptoms that seriously disrupt their functioning, mood and sleep," says lead researcher Mark Janssen (MHeNs), neurologist and clinical neurophysiologist. That is why he and his team investigated whether deep brain stimulation, a technique that is successfully used for conditions such as Parkinson's disease, can also provide relief for severe tinnitus.
Safe for tinnitus
Four people with long-term, severe tinnitus underwent brain surgery in which neurosurgeons placed a thin electrode on both sides in a specific area of the brain involved in sound processing (the medial geniculate body). The electrodes are connected to a small neurostimulator under the skin of the abdomen. This neurostimulator emits electrical pulses into the brain, thereby influencing brain activity.
The main question the research team wanted to answer was whether this approach is safe for people with tinnitus. "Fortunately, that turned out to be the case," says Janssen. "The operation did cause symptoms such as headaches and nausea, but these disappeared quickly. The stimulation sometimes caused patients to feel tingling or slight dizziness, which disappeared as soon as the intensity of the stimulation was adjusted. Hearing was not affected and no new sounds were created. All patients reported that they tolerated the treatment well."
Fewer symptoms
Although this was a small study, it is encouraging that three out of four patients experienced fewer tinnitus symptoms one year after surgery. For two of them, the improvement was significant enough to make a noticeable difference to the impact on their daily lives.
"We also saw this trend of positive changes in psychological well-being one year after the operation," explains Janssen. "In the patient who did not notice any improvement, the distance between the electrodes and the target area in the brain was slightly greater than in the others. It's precision work, but it indicates that the exact location of the electrodes is important for the effect of the treatment."
Future prospects
The researchers are cautiously optimistic. "This study shows that DBS may be a feasible treatment option for people with severe tinnitus," says Janssen. "It is a first, but important step. Our goal is not only to reduce the noise, but above all to improve quality of life, and this study shows promising results in this regard." Further research is needed to determine how effective the treatment is in the long term and for whom it works exactly.
This study has been completed. A follow-up study is planned. It is not currently possible to register for brain stimulation for tinnitus. Read more about the latest developments and frequently asked questions.
This article was previously published on the Maastricht UMC+ website.
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