Medical School study of tinnitus under way

Adults who have had chronic tinnitus for one year or longer are being recruited by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield for a study of the condition known as ringing in the ears. SIU's surgery department is evaluating the use of retraining therapy, a tailored therapy using informational counseling combined with sound treatment.

"The study could verify the effectiveness of this therapy which is currently being used to lessen the loudness and annoyance of chronic tinnitus," said Dr. Carol A. Baur, associate professor of otolaryngology head and neck surgery at SIU, who is directing the study.

Tinnitus is a perceived sound in the head or the ears, which affects about 30 million people. For a majority of people, the tinnitus sound is continuous and very bothersome.

Volunteers between the ages of 18 and 75 are being sought. Participants should be willing to participate in the study for two years. Each participant will receive an auditory examination before beginning and during nine follow-up visits, which include three visits in the first six weeks and six additional visits throughout the two-year period. There is no charge to the participants for the tests and equipment related to the study, which is sponsored by Tinnitus Research Consortium. Results can be shared with the participant's personal physician.

If you are interested in participating in the study, contact David Pence or Randy Wise, R.N., in the Department of Surgery at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine by phone at 217/545-7579 or 217/545-7812 weekdays.