UK Tinnitus Patient Trial Underway

An exploratory trial which has recruited sixty tinnitus patients, is now underway at Leicester Royal Infirmary. This trial will continue into 2007 and possibly into 2008, if supported by the preliminary results. The first phase of this new trial has been completed. During this first phase, details about each patient's tinnitus were obtained. This included information about how long they had their tinnitus, what type of tinnitus they had, and what the possible cause of the tinnitus was. Previous experience of any treatments they may have had for their tinnitus is also being taken into account

Along with other details, this information is being analysed to form the basis of longer term assessment of how patients may best respond to different treatments for their tinnitus longer term. This includes therapy techniques such as tinnitus retraining therapy and other non-drug therapies. A significant motivation for undertaking the study is hearing specialists' realisation that "one size does not fit all" and that no single treatment can be developed that will be suitable for all tinnitus patients.

The next step in the trial, which should start before the end of 2006, is to see if results with some therapies can be replicated over the longer term. This will first be carried out in a clinical environment. If successful, then longer-term assessment will continue outside the clinic. During this time, patients will be asked to keep a detailed record of their tinnitus. Importantly, results from the trial cannot be fully analysed until its completion, to avoid any biasing of expectations in either direction.