Electrical Stimulation to Treat Tinnitus

Also, Dr. Rubinstein, who is Professor of Otolaryngology and Bioengineering and the Virginia Merrill Bloedel Professor and Director of the Virginia Merrill Bloedel Research Center at the University of Washington in Seattle, is trying new methods of cochlear implantation to treat tinnitus, with success in a small number of patients. Currently, he is using short cochlear insert electrodes that may suppress tinnitus while causing no damage to the inner ear.

While it is too soon to tell if any of these approaches will offer an effective management tool for tinnitus, the experts agree that electrical stimulation offers exciting possibilities for treating persistent, debilitating cases.

©2006 The Triological Society