Neuromodulatory effects of audio-proprio-phonatory reinforcement training on subjective tinnitus, a HD-EEG study protocol
6 affiliations
- 1ENT Department, Orléans University Hospital, Loiret, Orléans, France
- 2Mignot Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- 3Siopi SAS, Paris, France
- 4Université Paris Cité, Institut Pasteur, AP-HP, INSERM, CNRS, Fondation Pour l'Audition, Institut de l’Audition, IHU reConnect, F-75012, Paris, France
- 5Department of Research and Innovation, Orléans University Hospital, Loiret, Orléans, France
- 6Department of Neurology, Orléans University Hospital, Loiret, Orléans, France
Abstract
Tinnitus affects 14% of the global population, with 2% experiencing a severe form of the condition. Sound therapy using white noise emitted by hearing aids is a common intervention, supported by the phenomenon of residual inhibition observed during tinnitus assessment. This study aims to investigate whether audio-proprio-phonatory reinforcement training can improve the quality of life of patients with chronic subjective tinnitus by enabling them to listen to their own phonation, which may mask the tinnitus or induce residual inhibition. We will conduct a prospective, controlled, monocentric, 2-arm block-randomized study, stratified by the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score, involving two groups for two sequential phases (Phase 1 and Phase 2). Fifty-six patients with tinnitus, recruited from the Ear Nose Throat (ENT) Department of Orléans University Hospital, will undergo a five-week training program, randomized into weekly remote group workshops, and daily individual sessions using specially developed videos. Training efficacy will be assessed through self-report questionnaires. The primary endpoint, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, will be assessed at three ENT medical visits: at inclusion, end of phase 1 and end of phase 2. Additionally, patients in both groups will regularly complete Visual Analog Scales for Tinnitus and five related questions (noise, cervical, jaw, sleep, stress-anxiety) via a secure digital platform throughout the study. High-density electroencephalograms (HD-EEG) will be performed in a blinded manner before and after Phase 1 at the Neurology Department of Orléans University Hospital. This pilot study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of audio-proprio-phonatory training in patients with chronic subjective tinnitus and to objectively measure its effects using HD-EEG. We will explore potential correlations between changes brain activity (such as functional brain connectivity) and clinical responses to the intervention.
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BibTeX
@article{mariebailly2026neuromodulatory,
title = {{Neuromodulatory effects of audio-proprio-phonatory reinforcement training on subjective tinnitus, a HD-EEG study protocol}},
author = {Isabelle Marié-Bailly and Robin Guillard and Mathilde Wanneveich and Barbara De Dieuleveult and Mahmoud Hassan and Marc Vérin},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0357455},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357455},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Neuromodulatory effects of audio-proprio-phonatory reinforcement training on subjective tinnitus, a HD-EEG study protocol
AU - Isabelle Marié-Bailly
AU - Robin Guillard
AU - Mathilde Wanneveich
AU - Barbara De Dieuleveult
AU - Mahmoud Hassan
AU - Marc Vérin
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/06
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0357455
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357455
AB - Tinnitus affects 14% of the global population, with 2% experiencing a severe form of the condition. Sound therapy using white noise emitted by hearing aids is a common intervention, supported by the phenomenon of residual inhibition observed during tinnitus assessment. This study aims to investigate whether audio-proprio-phonatory reinforcement training can improve the quality of life of patients with chronic subjective tinnitus by enabling them to listen to their own phonation, which may mask the tinnitus or induce residual inhibition. We will conduct a prospective, controlled, monocentric, 2-arm block-randomized study, stratified by the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score, involving two groups for two sequential phases (Phase 1 and Phase 2). Fifty-six patients with tinnitus, recruited from the Ear Nose Throat (ENT) Department of Orléans University Hospital, will undergo a five-week training program, randomized into weekly remote group workshops, and daily individual sessions using specially developed videos. Training efficacy will be assessed through self-report questionnaires. The primary endpoint, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, will be assessed at three ENT medical visits: at inclusion, end of phase 1 and end of phase 2. Additionally, patients in both groups will regularly complete Visual Analog Scales for Tinnitus and five related questions (noise, cervical, jaw, sleep, stress-anxiety) via a secure digital platform throughout the study. High-density electroencephalograms (HD-EEG) will be performed in a blinded manner before and after Phase 1 at the Neurology Department of Orléans University Hospital. This pilot study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of audio-proprio-phonatory training in patients with chronic subjective tinnitus and to objectively measure its effects using HD-EEG. We will explore potential correlations between changes brain activity (such as functional brain connectivity) and clinical responses to the intervention.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -