Reversing Synchronized Brain Circuits Using Targeted Auditory-Somatosensory Stimulation to Treat Phantom Percepts: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE: Animal models have shown altered dorsal cochlear nucleus circuitry in animals that develop tinnitus; however, precise treatment using bisensory (auditory and somatosensory) stimuli can reverse altered neural patterns and lessen tinnitus. OBJECTIVE: To confirm and extend the findings of a pilot study, which suggested an increased efficacy of bisensory stimulation, to a clinical trial with a greater duration and greater number of participants. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This double-blind, crossover, single-center randomized clinical trial was conducted from March 2019, with a 3-month follow-up per participant ending in July 2022. Eligible adults were recruited from the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Eligibility criteria included bothersome tinnitus (Tinnitus Functional Index [TFI] score, ≥17 points), somatic tinnitus, normal to moderate hearing loss, and no other tinnitus treatments in the 6 months prior to the trial. Included participants were randomized to either treatment group 1, which received active (bisensory) treatment, or group 2, which received the control (auditory-only) treatment. Results were analyzed using intent-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) populations. INTERVENTION: Precisely timed bisensory (combined auditory and somatosensory) treatment was delivered through a portable, custom, take-home device that was provided to each participant for daily, at-home treatments. Group 1 participants received 30 minutes per day of the bisensory treatment for 6 weeks, followed by a 6-week washout phase, and then 30 minutes per day of the auditory-only treatment followed by a second 6-week washout phase. Group 2 participants received the auditory-only treatment first, followed by a washout phase, and then the bisensory treatment followed by a second washout phase. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary end points were changes in TFI score and tinnitus loudness level from baseline through week 6 and week 12. RESULTS: Of 337 screened individuals, 99 (mean [SD] age, 47 [12.7] years; 59 males [60%]; 85 with non-Hispanic White [86%] race and ethnicity) were enrolled into the study and randomized to treatment group 1 (n = 49) or group 2 (n = 50). The active but not the control treatment resulted in clinically significant decreases in TFI scores at week 6 of phase 1 (ITT population: –12.0 [95% CI, –16.9 to –7.9] points; P < .001; PP population: –13.2 [95% CI, –16.0 to –10.5] points; P < .001). Decreases in tinnitus loudness level were greater than 6 dB sensation level (SL; >half as loud) at week 6 for the bisensory treatment group, with little effect for the auditory-only treatment control group at week 6 of phase 1 (ITT population: –5.8 [95% CI, –9.5 to –2.2] dB; P = .08; PP population: –7.2 [95% CI, –11.4 to –3.1] dB; P = .03), and up to 11 dB SL at week 12 of phase 2 (ITT population: –10.9 [95% CI, –15.2 to –6.5] dB; P = .001; PP population: –14.1 [95% CI, –18.4 to –9.8] dB; P < .001). Decreased tinnitus loudness level and TFI scores extended into the washout phase, indicating a prolonged treatment effect. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This trial found that precisely timed bisensory treatment using stimuli and timing developed in a validated animal model was effective for adults with somatic tinnitus. Prolonged reduction in tinnitus symptoms can result from using an extended treatment duration. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03621735