Noise suppress tinnitus

Noises suppress tinnitus at the neuronal level

05/02/2014

Tinnitus has many faces. Sometimes he whistles, whines or rings, sometimes he rustles, humming or hissing in his ear. Sometimes it is a continuous tone, sometimes a temporary one. All forms in common: they hardly leave a moment of rest and relaxation for those affected. Tinnitus is previously considered incurable. For all patients with a tonal tinnitus, ie an ear noise that does not or only slightly changes its frequency, there is now a new therapy. Using a special noise mix tinnitus is reduced at the neuronal level. In some cases, he even falls silent.

Chronic tinnitus has long been one of the common diseases. According to estimates, every fourth German suffers from the noise in the ear. Research has shown that tinnitus develops not only in the ear but also in the brain. Many thousands of nerve cells in the auditory center of our brain pick up the smallest sounds from the ear and convert them into sensory impressions. Only because of them can we interpret sounds correctly and distinguish a passing car from a bird chirping. In tinnitus, the sensory or nerve cells independently produce sounds. The more cells that are involved, the louder and more intense the tinnitus. The fatal thing about it: Untreated, the tinnitus fixed in this way more and more.

„The principle of action of the new Mynoise therapy is based on reprogramming the nerve cells that transmit tinnitus“, explains Dr. Uso Walter, a low-level ENT doctor from Duisburg and chairman of the HNOnet-NRW. „This is achieved by a sound file tuned individually to the tinnitus frequency, in which the tinnitus tones are cut out and the neighboring frequencies are amplified. This disables the affected nerve cells and the tinnitus gets quieter over time.“ Because it is a learning process, listening to the file regularly is important. „Ideally, patients will hear their therapy signal every two hours via headphones“, describes Dr. Walter. An advantage: The therapy, based on a neutral noise, already leads to a suppression of tinnitus while listening. „In the medium term, central hearing processing then learns to suppress tinnitus without the noise. In addition, nerve fibers that transmit tinnitus are relieved and inhibited in the transmission of tinnitus to adjacent cells.“ Another effect: The addition of certain sounds leads to a vegetative relaxation in the brain, which has a positive effect on the tinnitus processing and the general condition.

„Basically, the Mynoise therapy is understood as a building block in a holistic treatment concept. At best, this is made up of psychological and behavioral aspects, hearing-improving measures, a special hearing training as well as relaxation and exercise therapy“, explains Dr. Walter. Mynoise therapy is not suitable for high-grade deafness. However, it does not replace the visit to the ENT specialist who is urgently advisable in the event of any prolonged tinnitus. (Pm)