Update on tinnitus research at Newcastle University

Update on Tinnitus Research at Newcastle University

Tinnitus UK remains dedicated to supporting cutting-edge research to better understand and treat tinnitus. Our involvement in various projects reflects our commitment to staying at the forefront of tinnitus research. We look forward to sharing updates as studies progress and new findings emerge.

Dr. Will Sedley, Chair of our Scientific Advisory Board, recently shared updates on ongoing tinnitus research at Newcastle University, some of which has been funded by Tinnitus UK. This research aims to deepen our understanding of tinnitus and ultimately lead to improved treatments.

Over the past three years, with funding from Tinnitus UK and RNID, researchers have recruited participants who developed persistent tinnitus within the previous four weeks. These individuals were then followed up after six months. This study is helping us gain a clearer understanding of the mechanisms behind tinnitus, which we hope will contribute to better treatments.

So far, the research has shown that for most people, tinnitus becomes quieter and less distressing over the initial months. Researchers have also identified changes in ongoing brain activity and responses to sound during this period, improving our understanding of tinnitus causes. The findings are expected to be published within the next few months.

Tinnitus often coexists with hyperacusis—a condition where medium and loud sounds are perceived as louder than usual. Some theories suggest that both conditions share a common underlying process (referred to as ‘gain,’ similar to a volume dial on an amplifier), while others propose they are distinct.

With funding from RNID and the Wellcome Trust, researchers have systematically studied four matched groups of volunteers with and without tinnitus and hyperacusis. Their brain responses to sudden changes in sound levels have revealed distinct patterns that differentiate the two conditions. These findings enhance our understanding of both and may provide objective markers to improve future tinnitus research.

Newcastle University researchers are also preparing to publish a study on a novel form of sound therapy they have developed. Conducted entirely online, this study tested an automated method that does not require expert assessment for each participant. The research team aims to develop an accessible, low-cost therapy via smartphone apps or online platforms for people with tinnitus worldwide. Initial results indicate that, on average, the method provides a small but genuine reduction in tinnitus compared to a placebo. The team is actively seeking funding to refine the approach, enhance its effectiveness, and build an app-based system for trials and treatment delivery.

Additionally, the Newcastle team continues to collaborate with researchers at the University of Iowa’s Neurosurgery Department. These researchers regularly record brain activity from electrodes implanted in people undergoing epilepsy surgery. Since tinnitus is common, some participants also experience it, providing a rare opportunity to obtain high-resolution recordings of tinnitus-related brain activity—data that would otherwise be impossible to collect in humans.