Finding a Cure for Tinnitus
Finding a Cure for Tinnitus
The search to find a cure for tinnitus has been a challenge for researchers for many years. Finally after all these years a group of researchers from Australia have found it is caused by uncontrolled nerve activity in the ear and appears to be related to gene changes. These genes are involved in regulating activity on these nerve cells.
Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears cause by over-active nerves in the area of the brain that processes sound. Over time tinnitus also can lead to long-term hearing loss. Studies on guinea pigs where researchers implanted electrodes directly on the over-active nerves has been effective in calming these nerves and eliminating the ear ringing symptom.
Additional treatment options being pursued include the potential of drugs designed to regulate the nerve activity solving the problem of tinnitus and other nerve related medical problems.
The condition is extremely common amongst the population. In the United Kingdom alone there are an estimated seven million people afflicted with the disorder. Additionally, it has been estimated that approximately a third of the population will feel the effects of tinnitus at some point in their lives. With such a large number of sufferers the importance in finding a way to treat the problem would have a significant impact on the lives of millions.
