According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is the most common disability among Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. In fact, the U.S. Veterans Administration now pays around $1 billion annually in disability payments related to tinnitus. For these reasons, the Department of Defense and several others are funding or conducting multiple research studies to find new treatments for tinnitus with the hope of eliminating and/or reducing the noises it generates.
- Draper Laboratories has been commissioned by the DOD to create a small device that would be inserted into the inner ear and deliver small doses of medicine directly to the cochlea. This delivery method would prevent the Eustachian tubes from discharging the medicine before it can accomplish its intended effect. Draper also hopes to embed wireless communications into the device so that a physician or patient can control the dosage. The capsule would dissolve after the supply of the medicine has been exhausted.
- NeuroSystec Corp is developing a neuro-active agent designed to calm hyperactive nerves involved in cochlear tinnitus. This medicine would be delivered via an implantable osmotic pump being developed by Durect Corp. in California.
- Otonomy Inc. is developing a sustained released dexamethasone gel that could be injected into the middle ear. Once injected, the gel would stay in place and dissolve slowly with the intention of calming nerves whose hyperactivity elevate the noises generated by tinnitus.
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