Apple funds tinnitus research – Apple

More than 77% of people who I participated in a big survey, sponsored by Apple, have suffered from tinnitus at some point in their lives, according to preliminary data. About 15% report that they are affected on a daily basis by tinnitus, where they hear ringing or other sounds that are not perceived by those around them.

In one of the largest studies of its kind, researchers from the University of Michigan collected data from more than 160,000 participants who answered a questionnaire and completed a hearing test through the Apple Research app, starting in 2019. The research aims to study the effect of exposure to sounds through headphones, How tinnitus affects people’s daily lives and perhaps the development of new methods for managing symptoms.

“The trends we identify through this process in people’s experiences with tinnitus can help us better understand which groups are most at risk, which in turn can help guide mitigation efforts associated with this phenomenon,” said Rick Nagel, a professor of health sciences at the University of Michigan. In a press release.

Tinnitus is a widespread phenomenon, which can affect people’s daily lives. About 10% of adults in the United States suffer from some form of tinnitus, according to estimates from the National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders (NIDCD).

But the way people experience tinnitus, which can be caused by exposure to loud noise, may change with the devices people use now. In the past, tinnitus was associated with people working in particularly noisy areas. Over the past decade, listening to music through headphones, attending concerts or sporting events, and other forms of “recreational” exposure to noise have become more concerning for researchers. Previous studies agree that for people living in urban environments, listening to music can be the largest source of noise exposure. Apple’s iPods, smartphones, and headphones have undoubtedly played a role in this trend.

As expected, exposure to very high levels of noise was the main cause of tinnitus in participants in the new research. About 10% of people who participated in the Apple-sponsored study reported that tinnitus affects their ability to hear clearly. At the same time, the researchers found that the duration of this episode “increases dramatically” over time. Nearly 46% of participants aged 55 or older had persistent tinnitus, compared to 14.7% among all adults. More than half of participants turn to machines that produce other sounds or nature sounds to control tinnitus.

The study could “contribute to the development of new products to improve the listening experience and reduce the likelihood of hearing loss,” the University of Michigan said on its website. Apple also advertises certain product features as ways Apple products “can help,” such as using the Noise app on Apple Watch to display alerts when loud noises around the wearer reach a level that could be dangerous.

This study is one of three ongoing initiatives through Apple Research (the other two are related to heart and menstrual health). Hearing study participants must be adults residing in the United States. They are not required to use Apple headphones to participate; Excludes From specific exercises designed specifically for your AirPods Max, AirPods Pro, AirPods or EarPods.