Collaborative Tinnitus Research at Washington University

The goal of this trial to see if repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the hearing area of the brain can lessen the perception of tinnitus. rTMS uses a strong magnet and when placed against the scalp generates a small electrical field within the brain. Depending on the frequency of the stimulation, this electrical field can either decrease or increase the electrical excitability of the brain. In this study, low-frequency stimulation will be used, which is thought to decrease nerve activity. It is this electrical excitability of the brain that is thought to be responsible for tinnitus.

The hypothesis of this study is that rTMS can decrease the perception of tinnitus.

This will be a cross-over randomized trial. The order of the treatments received will be randomly selected and the participant will not be told which treatment they are receiving. Subjects will fall into one of the four treatment groups described below:

1. 2 weeks of active rTMS treatment followed by washout and then by 2 weeks sham
2. 2 weeks of sham followed by washout and then 2 weeks of active rTMS treatment
3. 4 weeks of active rTMS treatment followed by washout and then 4 weeks of sham
4. 4 weeks of sham followed by washout and then 4 weeks of active rTMS treatment

For the washout period between the two interventions, we will plan a minimum of 2 weeks to avoid the problem of carryover effects. Prior to starting the next intervention after the washout period, we will re-assess subject's tinnitus severity. To ensure no carryover effect, the washout period will be extended for those subjects whose tinnitus severity, as defined by the THI, is more than 20 points different than their baseline THI score.

Eligibility Criteria:
On-line eligibility screening:

https://tinnitus.wustl.edu/

Inclusion Criteria:

* Men and women between the ages of 18 and 60 years.
* Subjective, unilateral or bilateral, non-pulsatile tinnitus of 6 month's duration or greater.
* Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score of 38 or greater.
* Subjects of child-bearing potential using an appropriate form of birth control acceptable to the research team and with a negative urine pregnancy test or undergone sterilization procedure.
* Able to give informed consent.
* Available for once daily therapy, during working hours, Mon.-Fri.
* English-speaking.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients experiencing tinnitus related to cochlear implantation, retrocochlear lesion, or other known anatomic/structural lesions of the ear and temporal bone.
* Patients with hyperacusis or misophonia (hyper-sensitivity to loud noises).
* History of seizures, history of loss of consciousness requiring medical care, any other CNS pathology that increases a subject's risk for treatment with rTMS.
* Patients with cardiac pacemakers, intracardiac lines, implanted medication pumps, implanted electrodes in the brain, other intracranial metal objects with the exception of dental fillings, or any other contraindication for MRI scan.
* Any contraindication for receiving FDG PET, as determined by established clinical criteria.
* Patients with an acute or chronic unstable medical condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, would require stabilization prior to initiation of magnetic stimulation.
* Patients with any active ear disease that, in the opinion of the PI, needs to be further evaluated.
* Patients with symptoms of depression as evidenced by a score of 14 or greater on the Beck Depression Inventory or, in the opinion of the psychiatric sub-investigator demonstrates active mood symptoms that meet DSM-IV-TR criteria for Major Depressive Disorder.
* Any psychiatric co-morbidity that, in the opinion of the psychiatric sub-investigator, may complicate the interpretation of study results.
* Pregnancy
* Currently breast-feeding
* Previous treatment with rTMS
* Patients with tinnitus related to Workman's Compensation claim or litigation-related event.
* Patients with a history of diabetes.
* Fasting glucose \> 150mg/Dl.
* Patients taking any medication(s), in the opinion of the investigator, that is(are) deemed to be etiologically related to the development of tinnitus.
* Unable to elicit a motor threshold with rTMS.
* A Mini-Mental Status Exam score less than 27.
* Untreated or newly diagnosed hypertension, (systolic blood pressures above 140 mm or diastolic pressure above 90 mm).
* Patients with a history of claustrophobia.
* Inability to lay flat for 2 hours.
* Active alcohol and/or drug dependence or history of alcohol and/or ETOH dependence within the last year.
* Any medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigators, confounds study results or places the subject at greater risk.
* Unable to provide informed consent.
* Any exclusions from radiology screening for MRI or PET scanning.