IIT-Bombay researchers develop an affordable device for tinnitus diagnosis
IIT-Bombay researchers develop an affordable device for tinnitus diagnosis
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have developed precise tinnitus matching device and customisable solution (mobile based software) at an affordable cost.
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of any external stimulus. It results in severe sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety, negative impact on mental health, irritability, impacting social life. Overall tinnitus has a demoralising impact on the quality of life.
As per the research data published in JAMA neurology 2022, tinnitus affects more than 740 million adults globally and is considered to be a major problem faced by more than 120 million people.
The team of researchers Professor Maryam Shojaei Baghini, Neeleshkumar Pandit and a group of M. Tech students along with a team of medical experts Dr. Milind Kirtane, Dr. Arpit Sharma, Dr. Sangeeta Varty and Nishita Mohandas from Hindjuja Hospital, Mumbai worked on the design, development and the clinical evaluation of tinnitus diagnosis and its customisable management.
The project has received funding from Tata Centre for Technology and Design (TCTD), IIT Bombay and Wadhwani Research Centre for Bioengineering (WRCB).
The clinical evaluation demonstrated improvement in the tinnitus symptoms for the subjects enrolled in the clinical trial.
The device and the supporting application software offers a comprehensive approach that includes precise tinnitus matching, customisable multimodal tinnitus management approach and diseases progress tracking at an affordable cost. The objective of the project is to equip clinicians with the precise tinnitus diagnosis tools and provide each patient with a unique experience in tinnitus management.
The key features of innovation are that it is precise tinnitus matching device for diagnosis; customisable multimodal tinnitus management software for the patient that is Internet of Things (IoT) and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) enabled at the clinic level and indigenous and affordable.
The technology is being transferred to the start-up formed out of the project. The start-up team plans to expand clinical trials and work on the regulatory approval for the product’s commercialization.
The device, software and results of the first clinical trial were reported in the peer reviewed International Journal of Clinical Skills December 2024.
