IIT-Bombay develops device to diagnose tinnitus

Why in news?

• It was developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay.
• It is designed to diagnose and manage tinnitus.
• The device provides personalised treatment solutions.
• It could improve the quality of life of millions of people affected by the debilitating condition.

Tinnitus:

• It is a condition in which a person hears ringing sounds in the ears without any external noise.
• The sound may be ringing, whistling or humming.
• The condition can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as ear infections, ageing or the side effects of certain medications.
• Tinnitus is the sensation of sound in the absence of any external noise, which means only the affected person can hear it.
• According to data published in JAMA Neurology in the year 2022:
  • Tinnitus affects more than 740 million adults worldwide.
  • More than 120 million of these experience severe symptoms.

Symptoms:

• Sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, irritability and significant impact on mental health and social life

About the device:

• This device, along with its supporting application software, offers a comprehensive approach to the management of tinnitus.
• It features accurate tinnitus matching.
• It helps identify the exact nature and frequency of the sound experienced by the patient.
• It offers a customizable, multi-faceted approach to treatment.
• This ensures that every patient receives a customized experience tailored to his or her specific condition.
• The software also includes tools to track disease progression
• This allows physicians to monitor a patient's improvement over time.