The most common disability among soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan is tinnitus. Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the head when no external sound is present. The sounds of tinnitus can be described as clicking, hissing, roaring, swooshing, and tonal. With an estimated 40% of soldiers returning from war with this condition, the Department of Defense is investing in new research to create a way to treat tinnitus. One promising new treatment method is a self-dissolving capsule that is inserted into the inner ear. This capsule would deliver a dosage of medication directly to the cochlea and dissolve once the medication had been completely released. While this treatment method is still in the initial phases of development, researchers believe it holds real promise for providing lasting relief from tinnitus.
For more information, click here to read the article from Scientific American.
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