Geelong woman tormented by tinnitus dreams of ‘quieter head’

A GEELONG woman has told how the ear problem tinnitus is ruining her life as hopes emerge that a groundbreaking diagnostic test under development at the Bionics Institute in Melbourne could pave the way for new treatments.

Tinnitus, the perception of sounds without an external source, affects one in 10 people globally.

Twenty per cent of those affected report severe tinnitus, and there is currently no treatment – only ways to control symptoms, but they don’t always work.

Lead researcher Dr Mehrnaz Shoushtarian said the lack of treatment for tinnitus wasn’t helped by the fact there was no objective test to diagnose tinnitus or measure the severity.

“We have developed a test that can distinguish between mild and severe tinnitus with 87 per cent accuracy using light technology to read brain activity that is analysed using artificial intelligence,” she said.

“Our aim is to provide clinicians with a reliable diagnostic test to assess if a treatment is working, and also give researchers the information about brain activity in tinnitus needed to develop new treatment.”

New treatments could end the torment of tinnitus for people such as Geelong resident Deb, 55, who said she had suffered severe tinnitus since 2013.

She said the extent to which it affected her had fluctuated.

“It’s like a gas leak in my head with multiple layers of hissing around the clock, every day,” she said.

“I can’t sleep. I can’t watch TV. I can’t concentrate enough to read or write.

“It’s kicked up my depression and anxiety.”

Deb has tried white noise, masking, psychology, hearing aids and natural remedies, but nothing has worked.

“It has ruined my life and the lives of people like me who have severe tinnitus,” she said.

“Every day is about coping, not living.”

Deb has participated in research at the Bionics Institute.

“I would give everything I’ve got for a quieter head,” she said.

Bionics Institute chief executive Robert Klupacs said the test was an excellent example of bio-engineering innovation at its best.

“Dr Shoushtarian’s team uses a technology called functional near-infra-red spectroscopy (fNIRS), a noninvasive brain imaging technique that measures blood oxygen changes in the brain,” Mr Klupacs said.

“We are now seeking funding to develop a portable version with easy-to-use software that can be trialled for use in clinics.”