Scientists have found that tinnitus is associated with loss of auditory nerve fibers that cannot be detected with traditional hearing tests. The research was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Many people with hearing loss complain of buzzing, buzzing, ringing or even buzzing in their ears. One hypothesis is that these symptoms, known as tinnitus, are caused by maladaptive plasticity in the brain: the brain tries to compensate for hearing loss by increasing its activity, resulting in phantom sounds. This idea is controversial because some people with tinnitus show no abnormalities on hearing tests. However, a discovery made in 2009 revived this hypothesis; because it has been shown that patients with normal hearing scores can have significant auditory nerve loss.
In the new study, scientists evaluated the functioning of the auditory nerve and brainstem and found that chronic tinnitus is associated not only with the loss of auditory nerve fibers but also with hyperactivity of the brainstem. This study supports the idea that tinnitus may be caused by auditory nerve loss, even in people with normal hearing.
Scientists suggest that repairing the auditory nerve with neurotrophin drugs may reduce tinnitus.
“In addition to constant ringing or other sounds in the ears, tinnitus symptoms are debilitating for many patients, causing sleep disturbances, social isolation, anxiety and depression, negatively impacting work productivity and significantly reducing their quality of life. Until we fully understand the mechanisms underlying its formation We cannot cure tinnitus. Scientists stated that this study is the first step towards our ultimate goal of eliminating tinnitus.
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Source: Gazeta
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