New Device Relieves Tinnitus in Trials

EDINA, Minn. - Remember that ear-ringing sound after a loud concert? What it never stopped? That's a reality for over 50 million people suffering with tinnitus, but a new device going through clinical trials is giving the boot to inner-ear buzzing.

Tinnitus can come on at any time, and can be either temporary or permanent. It's believed to be a symptom of hearing loss, and is the most prevalent physical disability reported by military members and veterans. There is no cure, but a new product is hoping to at least ease the symptoms.

Doug Martin was diagnosed with tinnitus eight months ago after he told his doctor about the ringing in his ears, which sounded like a million crickets.

"It's a 24-hour thing," Martin said. "It happens at night when you are sleeping."

During the Vietnam War, Martin served in Okanowa, working on rescue helicopters. His doctors believe the noise likely damaged his hearing. For Martin, that meant his love of music was destroyed.

"I lost all my desire for that," he said. "You lose your desire for a lot of things because … all you are doing is concentrating on the tinnitus."

That's why Martin sought out help from the Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Clinic in Edina, where Dr. Paula Schwartz enrolled him in clinical trials for ReSound Alera TS , a device that produces white noise.

"It makes it more manageable for me to have white noise," Martin said. "It's more pleasant than a million crickets or a whistle in my right ear."

Schwartz said she is confident it will help her patients by teaching their brains to ignore the buzzing sound. Martin said he hopes his feedback in the trial will help the other millions who suffer from the constant din.

"This is offering hope," he said. "It's never going away. I know, for the rest of my life, I'm going to have this."

The three-year trials are coming to an end, and the device is expected to be made available to the public sometime this month.

Online Resources:

• ReSound Alera TS
• Audiology Concepts