RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

WHITBY: Working Towards Better Healthcare Interventions for Tinnitus: a Brain Stimulation studY

The WHITBY study is looking into a new way to help people with tinnitus, which is when you hear sounds like ringing or buzzing without an outside source. Tinnitus affects many people and can be quite upsetting. Current treatments don't directly tackle the sound itself; this study investigates a gentle electrical brain stimulation called transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). This technique is safe and easy to apply. Small studies have shown it might help reduce tinnitus, and WHITBY is a crucial first step. We’re aiming to understand how best to use tDCS and measure its effects on tinnitus in 40 patients. This will pave the way for larger studies to confirm if tDCS can effectively treat tinnitus.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Nottingham

Enrolment target

Start

01 Dec 2024

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2026

Tinnitus

What is this study about?

Imagine hearing sounds like ringing, buzzing, or hissing when there's no actual outside noise. This is called tinnitus, and it affects about 15 out of every 100 people in the UK. For some, it can be quite distressing, leading to feelings of anxiety or low mood. Currently, treatments often focus on helping people cope with their tinnitus rather than directly reducing the sound itself. Our understanding is that tinnitus happens because of changes in brain activity, so to reduce the sound, we need to influence these brain patterns.

This is where a technique called transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) comes in. It's a non-invasive method that uses a very mild electrical current, delivered through electrodes placed on the scalp, which can gently influence brain activity. Think of it as a subtle nudge to the brain. This technique is known to be safe, straightforward to use, and early research has shown some promising signs that it might help with tinnitus.

Since tDCS is a relatively new approach for tinnitus, we need to understand it better before recommending it widely. The WHITBY study is a vital 'pilot' project. We're not yet testing if tDCS is a full-blown treatment; instead, we're carefully studying the best way to use it and how to accurately measure its effects on tinnitus in 40 volunteers. The information we gather will be essential for designing larger, more definitive studies in the future to confirm if tDCS can truly be an effective treatment for tinnitus.

Key takeaways

The WHITBY study explores gentle electrical brain stimulation (tDCS) for tinnitus.
Tinnitus affects many people and can cause distress; current treatments don't directly reduce the sound.
tDCS is a safe, easy technique with promising early results for reducing tinnitus.
This pilot study aims to find the best way to administer tDCS and measure its effects.
Results will guide future, larger studies to confirm tDCS as a potential tinnitus treatment.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for volunteers aged 18 or over who experience persistent tinnitus that doesn't have an obvious physical cause, such as a problem with blood vessels, but rather originates from within their ears or head. It's important that you can understand English well enough to give informed consent and participate in all aspects of the study.

There are certain situations where you wouldn't be able to take part. For example, if you are under 18, or if your tinnitus has a known physical cause that someone else can also hear (this is called 'objective tinnitus'). Also, if you have any health conditions or devices that would make tDCS unsafe for you, you wouldn't be able to participate. We will ask you some questions to check your safety for this technique.

Finally, if you've recently taken part in another research study that involved invasive procedures or a payment for your inconvenience within the last three months, you would not be eligible for this particular study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you experience ongoing tinnitus (ringing/buzzing in your ears/head)?
Can you understand and speak English well?
Are you generally in good health and able to safely have a mild electrical brain stimulation?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join the WHITBY study, you'll have several visits to our research centre. During these visits, we will apply tDCS, which involves placing small electrodes gently on your scalp to deliver the mild electrical current. We'll also conduct careful assessments to understand your tinnitus, such as asking you about its loudness and how much it bothers you, and potentially measuring your brain activity in response. The total duration of your involvement in the study will be discussed clearly with you, and it will involve several sessions over a period to see the effects of the stimulation.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer a potential benefit: you might find that the tDCS helps to reduce your tinnitus or makes it less bothersome, though this is not guaranteed for everyone. There are very few risks associated with tDCS; it's generally considered safe and well-tolerated, with most people only feeling a mild tingling or itching sensation under the electrodes. Any potential side effects will be fully explained. You are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University of Nottingham
Verified postcode
Nottingham, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is when you hear sounds like ringing, buzzing, or hissing in your ears or head when there's no external source for the sound.

What is tDCS?

tDCS (transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) is a safe and gentle way of applying a very low electrical current to the scalp to influence brain activity.

Will tDCS cure my tinnitus?

This study is a first step to see if tDCS can be an effective treatment. It's not designed to cure tinnitus, but to understand if it can help reduce its impact.

Is tDCS safe?

Yes, tDCS is generally considered safe. Most people only feel a mild sensation like tingling while it's being applied.

What do I have to do in the study?

You'll attend several appointments where you receive tDCS and complete assessments and questionnaires about your tinnitus.

How to find out more

Magdalena Sereda, PhD

magdalena.sereda@nottingham.ac.uk 00441158232625 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.