News

Experts in hearing loss from Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre have started new research to establish whether patients living with tinnitus experience meaningful changes after receiving cochlear implantation.

A new research study, known as the TICIT (Tinnitus and Cochlear Implants) Study, has started in Nottingham involving the hearing experts based at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) and the University of Nottingham.

It aims to recruit at least 50 patients to find out whether cochlear implants could improve tinnitus in people who receive the devices.

Around 10-13% of the population have persistent tinnitus - where people hear sounds in their heads or ears with no outside source. It is prevalent among those who suffer from severe to profound hearing loss, and can have a negative impact on people’s emotional and physical health and well-being.

Dr Derek Hoare, Nottingham BRC’s Hearing Theme Lead, who is heading the TICIT study, said this research was important, as there was presently “little information about tinnitus-related characteristics and symptoms and their potential role in change in tinnitus in patients undergoing cochlear implantation”.

While studies suggest that cochlear implants can improve tinnitus - as well as people’s hearing capabilities - tinnitus can still remain troublesome for some patients after receiving their cochlear implants. A cochlear implant is a small, electronic device placed in the ear in a surgical procedure and provides a sense of hearing to people who have permanent deafness.

“Tinnitus may still cause issues after the patient receives their cochlear implant(s) as it may have different characteristics and be associated with other symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or insomnia,” said Dr Hoare.

He added: “By adding to the existing evidence base, the TICIT study should be of benefit to people who will receive a cochlear implant in future. Clinicians will be able to provide better evidence-based information about the effects of cochlear implants on tinnitus for people who are eligible to receive one.”

Current NICE guidelines have highlighted the need for more evidence in this area, and recommend further research into the clinical and cost-effectiveness of cochlear implantations. The findings of the TICIT study, with its systematic approach, could influence national clinical guidelines and policy.

Nottingham BRC is partially funding the study along with Cochlear Europe Ltd – a leading global manufacturer of implantable hearing devices – whose staff are also contributing their technical expertise.

Dr. Anne Small, Clinical Research Manager at Cochlear Europe, said:“Identifying factors which influence tinnitus changes after implantation will help us to better counsel and manage patient expectations prior to implantation, and even contribute to a better understanding of the effect of cochlear implant on tinnitus.

“It is great that this work is starting which can hopefully lead to new insights into how we can improve tinnitus in cochlear implant recipients.”

Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme (NAIP), based at NUH at Queen’s Medical Centre, will help by identifying suitable patients for the project and refer them to the BRC study team.

Participants will complete a number of online questionnaires at defined points along their cochlear implant pathway about tinnitus and tinnitus-related factors, to establish the precise impact that cochlear implantation has made.

The TICIT Study will last for 14 months. NUH, currently the only site to open for the TICIT Study, has begun the recruitment process. To be included, participants must be eligible to receive a cochlear implant under current guidelines and must receive their care from Nottingham University Hospitals.