Can This Tongue-Tickling Device Help Relieve Tinnitus?
Tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing in the ears with no external sound source, can be tricky to manage. Many of the 25 million U.S. adults with tinnitus use multiple strategies to help control it, such as mindfulness therapy and hearing aids, but now there’s a new option for them to try—Lenire®.
What’s Lenire?
Approved by the FDA in March 2023, Lenire is an at-home tinnitus management tool that consists of three parts:
- A plastic mouthpiece with stainless steel electrodes that electrically stimulate the tongue.
- Wireless headphones that pair to a controller to play calming music during tongue stimulation.
- A portable, handheld controller used to adjust timing, tongue stimulation intensity and headphone volume.
Lenire employs a unique approach where the soothing sounds that an individual hears are synchronized with a gentle electrical stimulation—often described as a “tickling” sensation—on their tongue. This combination helps the brain gradually shift its focus away from the tinnitus. Over time, this process leads to the brain becoming desensitized to the noise caused by tinnitus, significantly reducing its impact.
Does Lenire Work?
Brian Fligor, an audiologist who cares for patients with severe tinnitus, was one of the first providers in the U.S. to prescribe Lenire.
“Where this device fits into the big picture is that it’s not a cure-all, but it’s quickly become my go-to” for people who do not respond to other ways of managing tinnitus, Fligor said.
Lenire appears highly effective—a clinical trial found that 84% of people who used Lenire experienced significant improvements in their tinnitus, and 80% said they would recommend the device to a friend with tinnitus.
While Lenire seems like a promising solution for troublesome tinnitus, it’s too early to tell if the device offers long-term relief, as clinical trials have only evaluated Lenire’s effectiveness over a one-year time frame.
Looking for tried-and-true hearing loss and tinnitus relief options? Request an appointment today!