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Brain zaps for ringing ears: new hope for tinnitus sufferers?
NCT ID NCT02615600
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a daily, non-invasive brain stimulation technique (tRNS) in 30 adults with chronic tinnitus (ringing in the ears lasting over 6 months). The goal was to see if it could reduce the perceived loudness and annoyance of tinnitus. Participants received stimulation to both sides of the brain's auditory areas for 12 weeks, and the main measure was a drop of at least 5 points on a tinnitus questionnaire.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Nov 2015
- Finished
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Dec 2021
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion criteria: * diagnosis of bothersome, subjective chronic tinnitus * diagnosis: duration of tinnitus more than 6 months Exclusion criteria: * objective tinnitus * irregular head shap below the electrodes * eczema on the head * treatable cause of the tinnitus * involvement in other treatments for tinnitus at the same time * clinically relevant psychiatric comorbidity * clinically relevant unstable internal or neurological comorbidity * history of or evidence of significant brain malformation or neoplasm, head injury * cerebral vascular events * neurodegenerative disorder affecting the brain or prior brain surgery * metal objects in and around body that can not be removed * pregnancy * alcohol or drug abuse
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Regensburg - Deptartment of Psychiatry
Regensburg, 93053, Germany
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Shocking tinnitus away: new brain retraining trial offers hope
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