Can an app truly make a difference for those afflicted with tinnitus? Well, if researchers at the University of Auckland are to be believed, the MindEar app could be of help. Tinnitus, characterised by the perception of sounds without an external source, is estimated to afflict 7.6 million individuals in the United Kingdom, albeit with varying degrees of severity. Although a definitive cure remains elusive, several management approaches exist, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), aimed at diminishing the emotional association with the perceived sounds, allowing the brain to acclimate and tune them out. However, CBT is not only costly but also poses accessibility challenges for many.
Addressing these concerns, researchers have introduced an application named MindEar, which delivers CBT through a chatbot alongside additional methodologies like sound therapy. Dr Fabrice Bardy, the lead author of the study from the University of Auckland and a tinnitus sufferer himself, emphasises the goal of empowering individuals to regain control over their condition.
Detailed in the journal Frontiers in Audiology and Otology, the study involved 28 participants, half of whom engaged with the app's virtual coach for 10 minutes daily over eight weeks, while the other half received similar instructions through four half-hour video calls with a clinical psychologist. Pre- and post-study online questionnaires unveiled a clinically significant reduction in tinnitus-related distress for six participants using the app alone and nine participants combining the app with video calls. This improvement persisted for nine participants across both groups after an additional eight weeks.
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Dr Bardy expressed the team's intent to explore whether certain individuals derive greater benefits from the added support of a clinical psychologist, suggesting that some may contend with tinnitus alongside anxiety, stress, or sleep disorders, necessitating additional assistance.
The researchers are now poised to launch a broader clinical trial of MindEar in collaboration with University College London (UCL) hospital. Dr Lucy Handscomb from the UCL Ear Institute, involved in the trial, underscored the limited accessibility of in-person tinnitus help and the heightened anxiety patients experience during the wait for therapy. She envisions MindEar as a valuable complement to in-person therapy, potentially preventing negative thought cycles from taking root early in the tinnitus journey.
While MindEar represents a significant stride, it is not the sole contender in the domain. The Oto tinnitus app, currently undergoing a sizable clinical trial in the UK, stands as another notable example. Consultant ENT surgeon Matthew Smith from Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust acknowledged the potential of apps in addressing tinnitus, expanding treatment accessibility. However, he cautioned against viewing apps as a comprehensive solution, emphasising the multifaceted nature of tinnitus treatment, where hearing aid provision remains integral for some individuals.