The Behavioral Medicine Report

The current investigation utilized magnetoencephalography to map cortical hubs in tinnitus. Tinnitus is defined as an auditory perception in the absence of any physically identifiable source. Almost everyone will experience some form of auditory phantom perceptions such as tinnitus at least once in their lifetime; in most of the cases this sensation vanishes within seconds or minutes. However, in 5 – 10% of the population in western societies the tinnitus persists for more than six months and usually remains chronic [1]. Those patients hear a constant ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ear and this perception is especially dominant when the patient is resting in a quiet environment. About 1 – 3% of the general population experience tinnitus as bothersome and complain that it affects their quality of life. Problems can include difficulties concentrating at work, a decrease in their social life, depression, insomnia or anxiety [2]. (continue reading)