Title

Brain and Ear Function in Tinnitus

MEEI Protocol Number

12-025H

Condition

Tinnitus

Sponsor

Tinnitus Research Consortium, American Tinnitus Association, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communicative Disorders

Principal Investigator

Jennifer R. Melcher, Ph.D.

Study Design

This research study is non-invasive.  All subjects will participate in two sessions.  The first will be a series of hearing tests; the second will measure the acoustic startle reflex as well as hearing.  Subjects may be invited for third and fourth sessions.  The third session will measure the auditory brainstem response and the fourth will involve an MRI at the Mass. General Hospital’s Imaging Center in Charlestown.

Study Objective

Investigation of how the ear and brain work in people with tinnitus. 

Who is Eligible

Men and Women ages 30-65 who have normal hearing, both with tinnitus and without tinnitus.  Participants must be fluent in English.

Subject Enrollment

We are currently enrolling people who meet the eligibility requirements.

Study Procedures

Volunteers will be screened and, if eligible, participate in sessions 1 and 2.  They may be invited to participate in sessions 3 and 4.  Each session will last between 2 and 3 hours.  Participants will be compensated for their time; the amount of compensation for each test will be known in advance.

For More Information

hearing@meei.harvard.edu

617-573-4195