AI OPENS NEW FRONT IN TINNITUS BATTLE

ARTIFICIAL intelligence could bring researchers a step closer to finding a treatment for tinnitus, thanks to a new diagnostic test under development in Melbourne.

Up until now there have been no objective tests to diagnoses or measure the severity of tinnitus, which impacts onein-10 people.

But a diagnostic test under development at the renowned Bionics Institute in Melbourne could be about to change that.

Lead researcher Dr Mehrnaz Shoushtarian said it can be difficult for researchers to find a treatment when they cannot make an objective diagnosis.

“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 treatments.” The tool uses non-invasive brain imaging to measure blood oxygen changes in the brain.

Geelong midwife Deb said nothing has worked to treat her tinnitus, which has “ruined [her] life”.

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

“An objective test will give researchers the knowledge they need to find a treatment and change the lives of people like me.”