Sound waves in the ear: a new hope for tinnitus?

NCT ID NCT07291648

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Nottingham Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether people with tinnitus can tell if they are receiving real or fake ultrasound stimulation of the vagus nerve in the ear. Twenty adults with constant tinnitus for at least six months took part. The goal was to see how well the blinding worked and what side effects occurred, not to measure tinnitus relief. The device, called ZenBud, uses focused ultrasound to stimulate the nerve, which may help normalize brain activity linked to tinnitus.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Ultrasound Vagus Nerve Stimulation (U-VNS) using the ZenBud device
What this could lead to: If this approach works, it could point toward a non-invasive, targeted treatment for tinnitus that avoids the side effects of electrical stimulation.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early-stage study (20 people) focused on blinding and side effects, not on whether the treatment actually reduces tinnitus. The device may not prove effective in larger trials.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

tinnitus

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

TINNITUS

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Nottingham

Nottingham, United Kingdom

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