Mumbai: IIT-Bombay Researchers Develop Affordable Device For Tinnitus Diagnosis And Management

Mumbai: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) have unveiled an innovative and cost-effective device for the diagnosis and management of Tinnitus, a condition that affects over 740 million people globally, as per a 2022 study in JAMA Neurology.

This development promises to provide much-needed relief to individuals suffering from the debilitating effects of tinnitus, including anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and a diminished quality of life. Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of any external stimulus.

The device, paired with a mobile-based software application, enables precise tinnitus matching, multimodal management, and disease progression monitoring. It has been developed through a collaboration between IIT-B researchers, led by Professor Maryam Shojaei Baghini and Neeleshkumar Pandit and a group of Master of Technology students, and medical experts from Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai, including Dr. Milind Kirtane and Dr. Arpit Sharma.

Supported by funding from IIT-B’s Tata Centre for Technology and Design (TCTD) and Wadhwani Research Centre for Bioengineering (WRCB), the innovation reflects a concerted effort to create an indigenous, affordable solution for a global health challenge.

Clinical trials of the device have shown significant improvement in symptoms among participants. The device not only empowers clinicians with accurate diagnostic tools, but also offers patients a personalised treatment experience through its Internet of Things (IoT) and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)-enabled software. Designed to be cost-effective, the device and its accompanying software are expected to make advanced tinnitus care accessible to a broader population.

The technology is currently being transferred to a start-up established by the project team, with plans to expand clinical trials and secure regulatory approvals for commercialisation. Initial results have already been featured in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Clinical Skills, highlighting the potential of this breakthrough in reshaping tinnitus care.