The AudioNotch Tinnitus Treatment Blog
Mutebutton Tinnitus
Please note: the following information does not constitute professional medical advice, and is provided for general informational purposes only. Please speak to your doctor if you have tinnitus.
Tinnitus is a hearing affliction that affects millions of individuals. It manifests as a constant ringing, buzzing, or humming sound in the ear not associated with any external sound. It is an annoyance, but also a hindrance; many sufferers eventually have to succumb to hearing aids to compensate for the nonstop droning. Tinnitus is usually caused by a loud noise or continued exposure to relatively loud noises. Traditional treatment has been a surgical procedure that may or may not provide effective relief for an extended period of time.
A Self-Administered Treatment
Mutebutton Tinnitus, a unique device developed in Ireland and released to the public in 2014, was designed to reduce the effects of tinnitus. It is described as a device that is unlike conventional systems, which only offer temporary solutions; developers claim it can offer real and lasting improvement to patients afflicted with tinnitus. It is touted as an innovative approach to the treatment of tinnitus, utilizing neurostimulation technology. Mutebutton Tinnitus is a self-administered treatment requiring only one hour of consultation for a hearing test and fine tuning of the device specifically for the patient.
The self-administered 30 minute treatment is performed once a day. It is suggested that with its ease of use and portability, the 30 minute treatment can be applied in the office, at home, or even during the user’s daily commute. Consisting of a headset, a handheld control device, and a “tonguetip™ ” device that rests on the tongue, the Mutebutton system is a non-invasive, non-surgical system.
How Does It Work?
In using the Mutebutton device, the user places the tonguetip™ in the mouth so that it lies on the tip of the tongue. There, it softly stimulates certain nerves, providing direct sensory stimulation. At the same time, and in conjunction with the tonguetip™, relaxing, synchronized audio tones are delivered through the headset. The combination of the two stimuli is said to promote neuroplasticity, which, in effect, reduces the loudness of the tinnitus droning.
Does It Work?
According to studies performed by the National University of Ireland Maynooth in connection with The Hermitage Clinic, Dublin, after 10 weeks of usage there was a reported 8.6dB mean minimum masking level reduction. That comes to an overall 42 percent reduction in the tinnitus loudness within the 10 weeks. It is recommended that patients use the Mutebutton tinnitus device for 30 minutes each day for at least 70 days. Using the device any longer than that should be under the advice of a physician.