Hanyang Med Rev.  2016 May;36(2):136-141. 10.7599/hmr.2016.36.2.136.

Neuromodulation for the Treatment of Tinnitus

• Lee JM
• Moon IS

• KMID: 2164673
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7599/hmr.2016.36.2.136

Abstract

Tinnitus is a perception of sounds in the absence of external noise. Tinnitus can affect an individual's life, prevent productive work or impair the quality of life. There are 2 types of tinnitus, objective and subjective, the latter being the most challenging of hearing disorders. Tinnitus has various forms and it can be difficult to relate a specific event with the appearance of tinnitus. Moreover, detection of tinnitus and evaluation of its severity is impossible. Therefore, treatment is usually based on the patient's own assessment. To date, various forms of treatment have been administered with minimal success. Many different treatments have been attempted and then discontinued. The treatment goal of eliminating symptoms for severe tinnitus is rarely achieved. However, some symptoms of tinnitus can often be reduced to improve the patient's quality of life allowing him or her to work despite residual effects of the disorder. In the present study we evaluated electrical stimulation, including transcranial direct current stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of tinnitus.

Keyword

Tinnitus; Electric Stimulation; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

MeSH Terms

Electric Stimulation
Hearing Disorders
Noise
Quality of Life
Tinnitus*
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Diagram of the underlying principle of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The strong current in the coil produces a magnetic field perpendicular to the plane of the coil. The magnetic field passes unimpeded through the skull and induces an oppositely directed electric current in the brain.

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  Fig. 2 (A) Stimulation of the auditory cortex. Figure-eight-shaped coils or double-cone coils are more focused with a maximal current delivered at the intersection of the 2 round components. (B, C) Double-cone-shaped coils can deliver the current to deeper targets of the brain such as anterior cingulate gyrus (B) or posterior cingulate gyrus.

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