It’ll cost you a pretty penny, though.
For millions around the world, the annoying sounds of tinnitus have been an unwanted guest, messing up daily life with their constant presence.
While getting rid of these sounds completely is still not possible, new developments have given new hope to those looking for relief.
One such new treatment has caught the eye of Tom Blomfield, who had been fighting severe tinnitus for three years. His experience with Lenire, a new FDA-approved treatment device, gives an interesting look into the future of tinnitus management.
Tom Blomfield’s Treatment Journey
Blomfield’s tinnitus saga began three years ago, quickly escalating from an annoyance to a huge problem.
Scoring a 75 on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), his condition was, in his own words, “pretty debilitating.”
Even after trying different ways to manage it, Blomfield couldn’t find any relief from the constant sounds. That is, until he found out about Lenire. Interested by this new approach, he decided to give it a shot, hoping to finally get some relief from his tinnitus.
The results were impressive.
Even with a less-than-perfect adherence to the treatment regimen (managing only one 30-minute session per day), Blomfield witnessed a substantial improvement.
His THI score went down from 75 to between 15-20, changing his tinnitus from a constant bother to something “barely noticeable.”
For Blomfield, the $4,000 price tag was worth it for the improvement in his quality of life.
What Is Lenire?
Launched in 2019, Lenire is a relatively new player in the world of tinnitus treatments. This at-home device uses bimodal neuromodulation to address tinnitus.
From the name itself, this method stimulates hearing nerves (with sound) and touch nerves (through the tongue) at the same time to encourage stronger adaptive neuroplasticity.
This system has three key components: the Lenire Tonguetip, the Lenire Controller, and Wireless Headphones.
The Tonguetip is a small device that sits on the tongue. It gives gentle electrical pulses to stimulate touch nerves and start the neuromodulation process.
The Controller, as the name suggests, manages the sessions. This lets users adjust their treatment sessions, changing things like timing, sound volume, and tongue stimulation strength.
The Wireless Headphones work with the Tonguetip’s electrical stimulation. These headphones play custom sounds to target the hearing nerves and complete the bimodal neuromodulation circuit.
A Deeper Dive Into the Science of Lenire
Lenire has undergone several clinical trials to support its efficacy:
- TENT-A1 (Trial 1): In this trial, 86.2% of people who followed the treatment plan reported better scores on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) after 12 weeks. Also, 80.1% said their improvement lasted up to 12 months.
- TENT-A2 (Trial 2): Here, 91% of the participants who stuck to the plan experienced ongoing relief from tinnitus for a year. Their tinnitus severity decreased by an average of 20.3 THI points, which is the same as improving a full THI grade.
- TENT-A3 (Trial 3): This study compared Lenire to treatments that only use sound. The results showed that Lenire, which combines sound and touch stimulation, worked better for most people with moderate to severe tinnitus.
- Real World Trials: Outside the lab, Lenire was also tested by over 200 people in everyday situations. The results from these real-world trials were very similar to those from the clinical studies, showing that Lenire works well outside of controlled environments.
Initial Consultation, Use, and Cost
Getting started with Lenire isn’t as simple as picking one up at your local electronics store. It begins with a consultation with a healthcare professional who’ll assess your tinnitus and prescribe the device.
This is because Lenire isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Each Lenire is made to fit the patient’s unique hearing profile, making sure the tinnitus treatment is personalized.
The process usually has three steps: an initial fitting, a check-up at 6 to 12 weeks to adjust the treatment, and a final check at 12 to 24 weeks to see how well it’s working and plan what to do next.
But, the treatment itself is surprisingly manageable. It usually only requires just two 30-minute sessions daily, scheduled at your convenience.
As for cost, Lenire’s price can change because healthcare professionals set their own rates, including their expertise and the device itself. While Neuromod Devices (the maker) suggests a recommended retail price, the final cost can be different based on what each clinic offers.