Tinnitus: Auditory mystery finally unveiled

The condition affects around 10% of the population and significantly impacts the quality of life of those who suffer from it. Today, a glimmer of hope for recovery emerges...

According to a study conducted by the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Institute (USA), there's a correlation between tinnitus and the loss of the auditory nerve. The connection in question cannot be detected by conventional hearing tests.

Indeed, research has shown that tinnitus is caused by specific lesions of the auditory nerve, causing hyperactivity of the neurons in the brainstem. Hyperactivity is thought to be the brain's response to compensate for the loss of the auditory nerve, resulting in what is known as "phantom noises".

The scientific breakthrough confirms the hypothesis that tinnitus can also occur in people with perfectly normal hearing.

(MH with Raphaël Liset - Source: Consoglobe - Illustration: ©Unsplash)