Research

Action for Tinnitus Research directly supports and funds research aimed at tackling tinnitus. Our aim is to put an end to the tinnitus torment by funding ongoing medical, genetic and biological research.

Progress in being made in this area, and certainly medical journals indicate that there are many studies devoted to trying to increase our understanding of tinnitus.

There is evidence to show that tinnitus is not a simple condition to treat as it can arise in more than one place in the auditory pathway. In addition, there are a number of potential causes of tinnitus, ranging from excessive noise exposure to infectious diseases affecting the ear, such as meningitis.

One important avenue that researchers in the UK are interested in pursuing is the systematic study of how certain drugs act on the inner ear (or cochlea) and the auditory pathway. This area of medical research is known as auditory neuropharmacology. It focuses on how molecules known as neurotransmitters produced within the brain regulate the production of electrical signals within the nerve cells. It also looks at how certain drugs can modify the action of neurotransmitters.

Action for Tinnitus Research funds research into key areas of auditory pharmacology, particularly where damage occurs after noise exposure.