The Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience Lab conducts research on the University of Illinois campus to understand and develop new management strategies for tinnitus and other hearing disorders. We are currently seeking participants for several active clinical trials and behavioral studies. If you are interested in participating, please review the specific study details below.
If you are interested in participating in any of our active studies, please contact us:
- Phone: 217-333-7561
- Email: tinnitus@illinois.edu
Active Studies (Currently Recruiting)
Targeted neurofeedback training to alleviate tinnitus distress
This research study seeks participants to develop and validate new methods for coping with tinnitus, also known as “ringing in the ears”. The goal of this study is to use brainwave recordings to guide individuals in regulating their own neural activity to minimize their tinnitus symptoms.
Research is funded by the RNID- National Hearing Loss Charity and the Center on Health, Aging and Disability at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
The study consists of two phases: Audiological assessments and multi-visit MRI scans with questionnaires. You will be paid for participation and reimbursed for parking.
Treatment of TBI-related tinnitus and comorbid PTSD
This interventional trial evaluates the combined efficacy of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus (CBT-t) to reduce symptom distress and map related neurobiological markers. This study is led by Dr. John Moring at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in collaboration with Dr. Fatima Husain at the University of Illinois and is funded by the Department of Defense.
This study includes comprehensive hearing and psychological health assessments, 12 weeks of evidence-based talk therapy, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans before and after the treatment period.
Active duty military personnel and veterans aged 18 or older who have experienced at least one mild traumatic brain injury (concussion), have chronic bothersome tinnitus, and a PTSD diagnosis are able to participate.
For full trial details and eligibility, please click here
Preliminary trial of tinnitus interruption with propofol
We are investigating whether the common anesthetic agent propofol can alleviate tinnitus symptoms. This study is funded by the Rainwater Charitable Foundation.
This study consists of completing tinnitus-related questionnaires before and after receiving propofol treatment.
Individuals with tinnitus who are already scheduled to undergo a routine colonoscopy or other GI procedure involving propofol sedation at Carle Foundation Hospital are eligible to participate.
Ongoing Research (Recruitment Closed)
The following projects have completed data collection and are currently in the data analysis phase. We are no longer accepting new participants for these studies, but feel free to contact the lab regarding other opportunities.
Objective methods to diagnose tinnitus
This study aims to develop and validate new methods for objectively diagnosing tinnitus using brainwave recordings to distinguish those with tinnitus from those without it.
Research is funded by the Rainwater Charitable Foundation and approved by the IRB at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
International misophonia-lifespan project
Led by Drs. Howard Berenbaum and Fatima Husain at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and funded by the Misophonia Research Fund, this interdisciplinary project explores similarities and differences in misophonia across countries (in three continents) and across the lifespan. Building on a collaboration between psychology, psychiatry, and audiology, this project will focus on the following two specific objectives:
1: Cross-National comparison of the symptoms of misophonia and what they are associated with across culture
2: Comparison of the symptoms of misophonia and what they are associated with across the lifespan
Future Opportunities for Tinnitus-Related Studies
If you do not fit the specific criteria for our active projects but would like to support future research, consider joining our participant registry. We regularly need individuals who fit any of the following profiles:
- Normal Hearing
- Hearing Loss
- Chronic Tinnitus
- No History of Tinnitus
For our studies, we are seeking healthy adults aged 21 to 64 with normal or corrected-to-normal vision. Participants should have no history of neurological or psychological illness (except for depression or anxiety for which they are currently taking medications), no chronic health problems, and no history of drug or alcohol abuse.
Individuals will be paid for their participation and reimbursed for parking.
If interested, please reach out to tinnitus@illinois.edu.