Effects of greater occipital nerve block on tinnitus and dizziness.

We analyzed relationships among tinnitus relief, dizziness, and results of vertical autocorrelation studies of head movement to investigate the effect of greater occipital nerve block on the sensory and motor system in 2 patients with abnormal head movement. Tinnitus improved in 14 (52%) of 28 tinnitus patients after occipital nerve block. The percentage of patients reporting tinnitus improvement (54%, or 7 patients) among 13 patients without a history of trauma was not significantly higher than among 12 patients with trauma (33% or 4 patients).

Evaluation of Implanted Tinnitus Suppressor Based on Tinnitus Stress Test.

An electrical tinnitus suppressor developed at the Hokkaido University was implanted in two women and five men, aged 44-77 years old. To evaluate the efficacy of the suppressor, a self-administered tinnitus stress test (TST), annoyance index (AI), and tinnitus intensity index (TII) were conducted 1 1/2-3 years after implantation of the device. Residual inhibition results found at outpatient clinics and at the homes of patients with implanted suppressors were closely correlated except in one patient in whom the device's electrode was free from the promontorium tympani.

Improved word perception following electrical stimulation of the ear in hearing-impaired patients without tinnitus.

Improved word perception in hearing-impaired patients following electrical stimulation of ears was shown by means of a grammatically correct but non-sense Japanese 4-segment sentence perception test. Improved word perception was reported in 15 out of 20 patients without tinnitus following electrical stimulation of ears. In 11 out of 15 patients, the number of incorrect words significantly decreased, showing that electrical stimulation of ears improved word perception.

Improved word perception in tinnitus patients following electrical stimulation of the ear: a preliminary report.

The present study showed that there were close relationships between tinnitus relief and improved word perception by means of a grammatically correct but non-sense Japanese word perception test. Fourteen out of 20 patients reported tinnitus relief and improvement in hearing. Nine out of the 14 patients were thought to be significantly improved in word perception.

Preliminary study of improved perception of words with the same sound but different intonation in tinnitus patients following electrical stimulation of the ear.

The present study aimed to explain how tinnitus relief following electrical promontory stimulation affects detection of changes in pitch frequency. To determine the effects of tinnitus relief on the auditory system. Japanese words with the same sound but different intonation were used to verify the effects of tinnitus relief on pitch detection in tinnitus patients Eight out of 11 patients experienced relief of tinnitus following treatment.

An experience of the usage of electrical tinnitus suppressor.

An electrical tinnitus suppressor based on the use of an extracochlear stimulator has been developed at Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan, and was implanted in 2 male and 2 female patients. Tinnitus improved in all patients because the auditory nerve was able to be stimulated at home whenever patients wanted treatment. Additional benefits reported after electrical stimulation of the cochlea included sound sleep, relaxation in all cases, and improved hearing acuity in Cases 1, 2, and 4.

Improved Selective Attention and Word Perception in Tinnitus Patients Treated with Electrical Stimulation.

Grammatically correct but nonsense twenty 4-segment sentences mixed with multiple talk recorded on CD were delivered to ears tested in 47 tinnitus patients at a comfortable level via a headphone. The signal-to-noise ratios were 0dB, 5dB and 10dBSPL. Patients were requested to repeat what they heard before and after electrical treatment.

Increased Parasympathetic Nerve Tone in Tinnitus Patients Following Electrical Promontory Stimulation.

Cutaneous digital blood flow (CDBF) during electrical promontory stimulation was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry in 46 tinnitus patients. In patients with tinnitus suppression. CDBF was increased.