Tinnitus

Tinnitus is defined as a perception of sound in the absence of any external auditory stimuli. It is sometimes referred to as a ‘phantom’ auditory sensation.

This symptom is extremely frequent. About 25% of the adult population has experienced one or more acute tinnitus episodes and about 8% report having daily or permanent tinnitus. Despite its prevalence, the neurobiological basis underlying tinnitus remain poorly understood. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the mechanisms that underline the perception of this unwanted noise.

Our research team has acquired a unique expertise in the study of brain activity of tinnitus patients. We investigate which brain regions the tinnitus patients activate differently, how these regions interact with one another, how these inter-regional interactions deviate from normal and how these modifications might explain some of the observed clinical characteristics. We are also exploring the mechanisms that play a role in the chronization of tinnitus. Regarding clinical application, we are convinced that a better understanding of the neurobiological basis of tinnitus will help develop new treatment approaches.