MeRT Tinnitus Treatment

MeRT is a well-tolerated and highly effective treatment for tinnitus. MeRT combines rTMS, an FDA-cleared treatment, with qEEG and EKG recordings to tailor treatments to each individual’s unique brain pattern.

In the largest US clinical trial of its kind, the Veterans Affairs (VA) Portland Medical Center and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)  found that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) significantly improved tinnitus symptoms for more than half of study participants. Their findings were published in an article in the July 16 online edition of the journal JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery. Because tinnitus is believed to be a function of hyperactivity in the brain’s neural cortex, gentle magnetic stimulation can reduce the perception and severity of tinnitus.

Given the implication of neurons in the pathophysiology of tinnitus, MeRT begins by mapping brain activity and identifying areas that may not be communicating effectively in people with tinnitus. With personalized protocols, MeRT nurtures, optimizes and improves synchronicity in those areas of the brain.

By synchronizing the neural communication, MeRT reduces the pitch, volume and intensity of tinnitus for improved quality of life. Using MeRT to treat tinnitus might also result in other clinical benefits including improved mood, attention, cognition and auditory processing.

During MeRT treatment, patients recline in a treatment chair. A TMS magnet is positioned over the patient’s head to deliver an individualized protocol of gentle pulses to specific areas of the brain. Patients report that the pulses feel like taps on the head. Each treatment session lasts about 40 minutes, after which patients can immediately return back to their daily routines, including work and school.

Overall, patients tolerate MeRT treatment very well. The most commonly reported side effects are mild scalp discomfort and mild headache during stimulation, which responds well to over-the-counter analgesics.

If you are interested in MeRT therapy for a loved one struggling with tinnitus, call Neuro Wellness Spa on 1-877-847-3984 or visit to our Contact Us page.

Tinnitus, the perception of noise or ringing in the ears, affects 15 to 20 percent of the population. The noise can be intermittent or continuous and can vary in loudness. It is often worse when background noise is low, so you may be most aware of it at night when you’re trying to fall asleep in a quiet room.

In severe cases, however, tinnitus can cause people to have difficulty concentrating and sleeping. It may eventually interfere with work and personal relationships, resulting in psychological distress. Carpenters, pilots, rock musicians, street-repair workers, and landscapers are among those whose jobs put them at risk, as are people who work with chain saws, guns, or other loud devices or who repeatedly listen to loud music. A single exposure to a sudden extremely loud noise can also cause tinnitus.

Prolonged exposure to loud sounds is the most common cause of tinnitus. A variety of other conditions and illnesses can lead to tinnitus including brain tumors, cardiovascular diseases, thyroid abnormalities, ear and sinus infections and hormonal changes.

Functional imaging has demonstrated a relationship between the intensity of tinnitus and the degree of reorganization in the auditory cortex, an area of the brain. MeRT can relieve symptoms of tinnitus by correcting the reorganization in the auditory cortex.

Over 45 million Americans struggle with tinnitus, making it one of the most common health conditions in the United States. There are very few known genetic-based catalysts for tinnitus. However, for a variety of reasons, certain demographic groups appear to be more susceptible to both acute and chronic tinnitus on the population level.

• Men get tinnitus more often the women
• Tinnitus is more common in older populations
• Caucasians are more likely to have tinnitus
• High risk groups for tinnitus include senior citizens, active military personnel and veterans, people employed in loud workplace environments, musicians, motorsports and hunting enthusiasts

Tinnitus also can keep you from feeling and performing your best at home, school or work. There are effective treatments for tinnitus that can reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life.