New research has identified involuntary facial twitches and pupil dilation as physical signs of tinnitus severity, paving the way for better diagnosis and future treatments
Researchers have found a way to measure the severity of tinnitus through physical changes in the body.
The study at Mass General Brigham in the US identified involuntary facial twitches and pupil dilation as reliable markers of how badly a person is affected.
“These biomarkers get to the root of the distress,” said Daniel Polley, director of the Eaton-Peabody Laboratories at Mass Eye and Ear, who led the research.
Until now, tinnitus diagnosis has relied on subjective tests and self-reporting. “Imagine if cancer severity were determined by giving patients a questionnaire – this is the state of affairs for some common neurological disorders like tinnitus,” said Polley.
Tinnitus affects millions in the UK
More than 7 million adults in the UK live with tinnitus, a condition that causes ringing, buzzing or clicking in the ears, often without any external sound. For many, the symptoms are mild. But for around 1 in 10, they can be severe enough to affect sleep, concentration and mental health. Despite its scale, only around half of those affected ever seek professional help.
Tinnitus can have many causes, including hearing loss, long-term exposure to loud noise, ear infections and conditions such as Ménière’s disease. Tinnitus is not a disease in and of itself, but a symptom of underlying auditory or neurological issues.
In the study, researchers monitored 97 participants, some with tinnitus and others without, measuring facial micro-movements and pupil reactions to sound. They found that people with severe tinnitus had stronger physical responses to audio stimuli – a sign of neurological distress – even when the sounds were not especially loud or irritating.
A platform for better treatment
The findings, published in Science Translational Medicine, could improve diagnosis and open the door to new therapies. Polley’s team is developing low-cost interventions that combine neural stimulation with immersive software. These treatments may eventually be available in hearing health clinics or used in clinical trials.
In the meantime, existing approaches like sound therapy, hearing aids, and cognitive behavioural therapy remain the mainstays of management.
A biochemical component
Other researchers are investigating potential biomarkers in the blood. A recent study identified plasma metabolites that were elevated in people with persistent tinnitus, suggesting the condition may also have a biochemical profile.
With tinnitus affecting nearly one in four people over 65 and a growing number of younger adults, these developments are particularly timely.
Seek help early
“Many people live with tinnitus for years without knowing there are effective options to reduce its impact,” said Micaela Stonestreet, a Clinical Audiologist at Hearology® with a special interest in tinnitus. “Tinnitus doesn’t always mean something serious, but if it’s persistent, getting a professional assessment can make a real difference. Often the best starting point with new tinnitus is to book an ear-cleaning appointment, as a build-up of ear wax is an extremely common. If there is no blockage and the ringing or whistling persists, there are still other things that can be done to alleviate these symptoms, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and/or the use hearing aids.”
References
- RNID – What is tinnitus? A guide to the condition and its treatment
- Science Translational Medicine – Abstract on the Mass General Brigham study
- NHS – Tinnitus overview with details about seeking help
