‘Ring out the old, ring in the new’ is a common phrase heard as we head into a new year. But there’s one group of people who’d be hoping Tennyson’s famous quote does not ring true in 2024. It’s those who suffer from tinnitus, and if a newly developed app proves successful, 2024 may indeed deliver some relief.
Tinnitus affects millions of people worldwide, with varying symptoms – commonly ringing or buzzing in the ears – that have a debilitating effect. There’s no known cure, although some strategies have proven effective to a degree, for some at least.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one such strategy, but the release of a new app – MindEar – could be a game-changer.
What is tinnitus and what are the causes?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound that does not have an external source, so other people cannot hear it. That’s how the condition is defined by America’s National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
The word ‘perception’ is significant here, because the experience of sufferers can vary. It’s commonly described as a ringing sound, but some people hear other types of sounds, such as roaring or buzzing.
Tinnitus is common in adults and children, with estimates varying from 10 per cent to 25 per cent of adults. In children, and even in many adults, tinnitus can be temporary, but in some cases, it worsens over time. If the condition persists for three months or more it is classified as chronic.
In most cases, tinnitus is defined as ‘subjective’, meaning only the sufferer can perceive the condition. This can manifest as ringing, buzzing, whistling, humming and even clicking. Occasionally, the sound pulsates rhythmically in time with the sufferer’s heartbeat. In such cases doctors may be to hear the sounds with a stethoscope. Such cases are considered to be ‘objective tinnitus’.
If you’re ‘lucky’ enough to have objective tinnitus, your chances of having a cause identified or treated are strong. For subjective tinnitus, the prognosis has historically not been as good.
Tinnitus has been linked to a number of factors and conditions, making a treatment problematic. The factors include noise exposure, hearing loss, medications, earwax, ear infections and head or neck injuries. Less common factors include Ménière’s disease, jaw joint issues, tumour-related disorders, blood vessel problems and various chronic conditions.
Traditional treatments and the new app
Various sufferers have found CBT to provide relief. CBT is a specialised form of talk therapy focused on identifying and changing distorted thought patterns and associated behaviours.
The new MindEar app takes this form of therapy to a new level. The app provides CBT through a chatbot, but also supplements this with other approaches such as sound therapy. Newly published research suggests that delivery of CBT via the chatbot produced promising results, even for those using the chatbot only.
Those who combined their app use with traditional, in-person CBT also showed similar improvement. Both groups displayed a significant drop in their Tinnitis Functionality Index (TFI) – a measure of tinnitus distress. A higher TFI indicates greater distress.
While MindEar and other recently trialled apps deliver similarly positive results to in-person CBT, it heralds possible greater patient accessibility. Patients on waiting lists or unable to afford ongoing face-to-face sessions with psychologists could benefit greatly.
Some caution has been urged by specialists. Matthew Smith, a consultant ENT surgeon at Cambridge University hospitals NHS foundation trust, is one such cautionary adviser. CBT is only one aspect of tinnitus treatment, he notes.
Nevertheless, for those who find CBT effective, the MindEar app, which is already available, could provide welcome relief from tinnitus symptoms.
Do you suffer from tinnitus? What treatments have you tried? Were you aware of MindEar and/or other apps available for the condition? Let us know via the comments section below.
Also read: The four types of hearing loss explained
Health disclaimer: This article contains general information about health issues and is not advice. For health advice, consult your medical practitioner.
