Strong Headway for Tinnitus Treatment

Image credit: Bionics Institute

A team from Melbourne-based Bionics Institute is making significant headway when it comes to developing a new prototype to test for the often-debilitating “ringing in the ears” condition known as tinnitus.

The pioneering system, led by researcher Dr Mehrnaz Shoushtarian together with the Bionics Institute’s Experimental Device Engineering Hub, uses neural imaging technology called functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to monitor oxygen levels in the brain.

The team has their sights on developing five prototypes this year, for use in a multi-site clinical trial following initial positive findings.

“We have developed an objective test of tinnitus using fNIRS and machine learning to detect tinnitus-related changes in the brain, which is an important step in developing reliable treatments,” said Dr Shoushtarian.

To learn more or to register your interest as a trial participant, check out this story from the Bionics Institute.