Effects of Cochlear Implantation on Tinnitus and Its Symptoms

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating tinnitus, a condition caused by abnormal activity in the central auditory system, in patients who have received cochlear implants. The study focuses on how electrical stimulation from the cochlear implant affects tinnitus symptoms and aims to understand the underlying mechanisms using a new clinical electroencephalogram (EEG) technique. This EEG method helps locate tinnitus origins and analyze how electrical stimulation suppresses tinnitus, especially since these patients cannot undergo MRI due to implant magnets. The study involves patients who received cochlear implants from various manufacturers and includes two groups: those with tinnitus and those without tinnitus before surgery. Researchers will observe changes in tinnitus loudness, frequency, and characteristics over time after electrical stimulation. The study also explores optimal electrical stimulation settings to mask tinnitus and conducts long-term EEG assessments to trace brain activity changes related to tinnitus inhibition at multiple time points up to and beyond 13 months post-implantation. Participants will undergo multiple evaluations including tinnitus questionnaires, EEG assessments, hearing tests, and anxiety scales before surgery and at scheduled follow-ups after implantation. These assessments occur at 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 7 months, 13 months, and beyond 13 months. Researchers will monitor speech perception and electrical stimulation parameters, aiming to better understand and optimize tinnitus treatment through cochlear implants while tracking safety and effectiveness over time.

Effects of CI on Tinnitus and Its Symptoms