In News:

Researchers at IIT Bombay have created an affordable device to diagnose and manage tinnitus, a condition involving persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears. The device offers personalized treatment solutions and a comprehensive approach to managing tinnitus.

What is Tinnitus?

• Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of external noise, meaning only the affected individual hears it. It is often caused by underlying conditions such as age-related hearing loss, ear injury, or circulatory system problems.
• It affects over 740 million adults globally, with 120 million experiencing severe symptoms (JAMA Neurology, 2022).
• Common symptoms include sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, irritability, and significant impacts on mental health and social life.
• Treatment may include: Hearing aids, sound-masking devices, medications, and coping techniques to manage the noise.

Device Features:

• Precise Tinnitus Matching: Identifies the exact nature and frequency of sounds experienced by the patient.
• Customizable Treatment: Provides a tailored, multimodal approach to treatment, ensuring each patient gets a unique experience.
• Tracking Progress: Includes tools to monitor disease progression and patient improvement over time.

Affordability and Accessibility:

• The device is cost-effective, addressing the issue of high costs associated with current tinnitus management solutions.
• This breakthrough is especially beneficial for low-income regions, where access to expensive tinnitus treatment is limited.

Impact on Healthcare:

• The device empowers doctors with precise diagnostic tools, improving the accuracy of diagnosis and the efficacy of treatment.
• It aims to enhance patient quality of life by offering an affordable and accessible solution to tinnitus management.

Funding and Development:

• The project has received funding from Tata Centre for Technology and Design (TCTD), IIT Bombay, and Wadhwani Research Centre for Bioengineering (WRCB).

Significance:

• This development represents a technological advancement in tinnitus care, with the potential to greatly reduce the burden of the condition and improve the well-being of affected individuals worldwide.