Clinical Study Scientific reports 2015

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation improves both hearing function and tinnitus perception in sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients.

Zhang D, Ma Y — Scientific reports, 2015

View Original on PubMed PMID 26463446

Tier 2, Indexed

Automatically imported from PubMed based on relevance criteria.

Summary

What Researchers Did

Researchers investigated the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on hearing function and tinnitus perception in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) patients refractory to standard corticosteroid and hyperbaric oxygen therapies.

What They Found

Patients who received 20 sessions of 1 Hz rTMS in addition to standard therapy showed significantly greater recovery of hearing function and improved tinnitus perception compared to those receiving standard therapy alone. Additionally, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) measurements in a subgroup of patients suggested that rTMS therapy could alleviate the decrease in regional cerebral brain flow in SSHL patients.

Canadian Relevance

This study has no direct Canadian connection.

Study Limitations

A limitation of this study is the absence of a placebo-controlled design for the rTMS intervention, which could impact the generalizability of the findings.

This plain-language summary is generated with AI assistance and checked against the source abstract before publication. See our editorial policy.

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Study Details

Study Type	Clinical Study
Category	Sudden Hearing Loss
Source	Pubmed
PubMed ID	26463446
Year Published	2015
Journal	Scientific reports
MeSH Terms	Female; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Hearing Tests; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Tinnitus; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Treatment Outcome

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This study relates to Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Read the full clinical overview, the evidence base, and Canadian treatment access for this condition.

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Disclaimer: This study summary is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. The information presented reflects the findings of the original research authors and may not represent the views of Canada Hyperbarics. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.

Last reviewed: April 2, 2026 | Reviewed by: Canada Hyperbarics Editorial Team | Editorial process | Research sources | Counts & methodology