32 votes

A US FDA-approved device offers a new treatment for tinnitus

14 comments

  1. [8]
    first-must-burn
    Link
    Since I've seen a fair bit of discussion around tinnitus here, I thought this might be of interest. From the article:

    Since I've seen a fair bit of discussion around tinnitus here, I thought this might be of interest. From the article:

    FDA-approved device, called the Lenire, that reduces tinnitus by using electrical stimulation of the tongue combined with sound therapy to help desensitize the brain to the disruptive sounds.
    ....
    Research shows the benefits can last at least a year, but longer-term durability is still unknown. The Lenire device costs around $4,000 and is not yet covered by insurance.

    10 votes
    1. [6]
      somewaffles
      Link Parent
      Very cool to see they are getting somewhere with something I previously thought was incurable, but sounds like I'm going to continue living with the ringing for now.

      $4,000

      Very cool to see they are getting somewhere with something I previously thought was incurable, but sounds like I'm going to continue living with the ringing for now.

      11 votes
      1. [3]
        vord
        Link Parent
        $4k for a brand-new medical device isn't that bad. Hell, braces are old tech and they'll cost between $3k and $10k.

        $4k for a brand-new medical device isn't that bad.

        Hell, braces are old tech and they'll cost between $3k and $10k.

        16 votes
        1. OBLIVIATER
          Link Parent
          TBF a lot of the cost of the braces is the labor to install and maintain them, they're not a discreet product you can just sell someone

          TBF a lot of the cost of the braces is the labor to install and maintain them, they're not a discreet product you can just sell someone

          12 votes
        2. somewaffles
          Link Parent
          I honestly don't have much reference, but I was mostly kidding. My tinnitus is relatively mild compared to some people, who live hellishly because of it, so it's great news.

          I honestly don't have much reference, but I was mostly kidding. My tinnitus is relatively mild compared to some people, who live hellishly because of it, so it's great news.

          2 votes
      2. first-must-burn
        Link Parent
        It would be worth finding out if there are additional studies planned. You might be able to get into one and have it pay these costs. My dad was in a trial for his cancer drug for five years,...

        It would be worth finding out if there are additional studies planned. You might be able to get into one and have it pay these costs. My dad was in a trial for his cancer drug for five years, saved thousands in copays.

        4 votes
      3. wundumguy
        Link Parent
        It's difficult to look at that picture with a pair of headphones and a tongue vibrator and conclude it's worth $4,000. Even considering R&D costs. Hope someone comes into the market and sells it...

        It's difficult to look at that picture with a pair of headphones and a tongue vibrator and conclude it's worth $4,000. Even considering R&D costs. Hope someone comes into the market and sells it for $100

        1 vote
    2. OBLIVIATER
      Link Parent
      $4,000 is really not that much for a medical device, and it'll likely only get cheaper over time

      $4,000 is really not that much for a medical device, and it'll likely only get cheaper over time

      11 votes
  2. [3]
    Fiachra
    Link
    I'm so curious why the tongue was so vital to this concept. Is it much more sensitive or linked to a particular part of the brain? Clearly if it would work with any other body part they would have...

    the electrical stimulation "tickles" the tongue, she says. In addition, the device includes a set of headphones that play a series of tones and ocean-wave sounds

    It's the combination of what you're feeling through the nerves in your tongue and what you're hearing through your ears happening in synchrony that causes the spotlight in your brain to not be so stuck on the tinnitus

    I'm so curious why the tongue was so vital to this concept. Is it much more sensitive or linked to a particular part of the brain? Clearly if it would work with any other body part they would have saved themselves the trouble of making the gizmo food-safe.

    5 votes
    1. [2]
      first-must-burn
      Link Parent
      The Nature article has more information about what was studied, so that might shed some light. It looks like many pathways are possible. I wonder if the tongue was easiest to stimulate because it...

      The Nature article has more information about what was studied, so that might shed some light. It looks like many pathways are possible. I wonder if the tongue was easiest to stimulate because it is already wet/conductive. On an ear, you'd probably have to use a gel or something.

      4 votes
      1. ThrowdoBaggins
        Link Parent
        I’ve also heard of tongue-based sight for people with zero sight, where a camera embedded in a pair of glasses they’re wearing is connected to an electronic tongue-pad, and over time the brain...

        I’ve also heard of tongue-based sight for people with zero sight, where a camera embedded in a pair of glasses they’re wearing is connected to an electronic tongue-pad, and over time the brain readjusts and realises that it can make sense of the patterns and provide (very limited) sight.

        I’m wondering if the tongue has more nerves-per-area and therefore higher resolution and sensitivity which makes it particularly suited to this kind of neurological re-wiring stuff?

        4 votes
  3. [3]
    moocow1452
    Link
    Since it's a device and not a medication, I wonder how the laws would work around a generic brand machine that did something similar but was a tenth of the price? Would you want something like...

    Since it's a device and not a medication, I wonder how the laws would work around a generic brand machine that did something similar but was a tenth of the price? Would you want something like that in your mouth?

    4 votes
    1. first-must-burn
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      From their website: It seems like it is relatively harmless, so probably easy to clone? Probably when the patent runs out, like with drugs? Edit to add The Nature article has more information...

      From their website:

      Clinical Trial Takeaways

      83% of 500+ participants across three successful clinical trials would recommend Lenire for the treatment of tinnitus.

      71% of those with moderate or worse tinnitus had a meaningful reduction in tinnitus severity with Lenire after 6-weeks when 6-weeks of audio-only therapy had minimal impact.

      Zero serious adverse side effects related to Lenire were reported, validating the safety of the device.

      204 real world patient results closely match clinical trial data.

      It seems like it is relatively harmless, so probably easy to clone? Probably when the patent runs out, like with drugs?

      Edit to add The Nature article has more information about the specific modes of stimulation, so from a purely technical point of view, someone could probably build one pretty easily. I don't know if someone who has studied their own illness has enough of the specialized knowledge an audiologist would have to determine settings and evaluate whether it was working or not.

      5 votes
    2. Omnicrola
      Link Parent
      This is the key. Having that FDA stamp ostensibly means that a device has gone through a rigorous evaluation of both safety and evaluation, same as any medication. That process is neither quick...

      and one newer option – a device approved by the FDA to treat tinnitus

      This is the key. Having that FDA stamp ostensibly means that a device has gone through a rigorous evaluation of both safety and evaluation, same as any medication. That process is neither quick nor cheap, which is why it has that price tag attached to it.

      Frankly I'd be suspicious if it was cheaper (at least to start). If it's effective market forces will drive the price down eventually.

      What that doesn't stop someone from doing is making a cheap replica using a factory in China, and selling it for "non-medical purposes" that is "not intended to treat or cure any medical condition". It's a thin line to walk though.

      5 votes