Original Article Long-term effects of the "Heidelberg Model of Music Therapy" in patients with chronic tinnitus

摘要: Introduction Tinnitus, the enduring perception of ringing or buzzing sounds without an external source, is one most common symptoms in ENT medicine [1]. In western countries about 5 - 15 % population suffer from tinnitus [2]. Three factors leading to are prominent discussion [3]: 1. changes sensory input (e.g. hearing loss increases an-noyance [4]), 2. psychological strains and their underlying neurophysiological network [5] 3. neural activity brain. Since there no integrative knowledge mechanisms generating [6], different models based on aspects these under discussion. The “gain control” model [7] assumes that pe-ripheral deprivation due cochlear damages neuronal cen-tral auditory system order adapt sensitivity reduced inputs. This central gain could over amplify “neural noise” thus ultimately causing percept tinnitus. According “noise cancellation” [8], related dysfunctional feedback connections limbic regions brain areas interacting at thalamic level. Normally, may indentify inhibit irrelevant signal prevent it reaching cortex. cases which this regulation compro-mised, ‘noise-cancellation’ mechanism breaks down relayed cortex where enters into con-sciousness. Tinnitus research has evolved remarkably last years suggesting a variety promising Int J Clin Exp Med 2012;5(4):273-288 www.ijcem.com /ISSN:1940-5901/IJCEM1207002