Tinnitus After COVID? New Tech Offers Hope

Jack Bridge, who began experiencing tinnitus after a COVID-19 infection, is among the approximately seven million people in the UK living with the condition. His persistent symptoms, which included humming and hissing sounds, significantly impacted his sleep and ability to manage daily tasks.

Initially, treatments focused on managing symptoms through therapies like CBT and mindfulness, or masking the internal noise with white noise. However, Jack sought a more active solution, leading him to explore sound enrichment therapy.

This therapy introduces low-level external sounds to help the brain gradually tune out the tinnitus. Jack's personal journey involved using a fan for background noise, which helped him overcome the worst of his condition. He now heads Sonovo, a company developing discreet devices that utilize bone-conduction technology.

These devices transmit vibrations through the skull, converting them into sound perceived by the inner ear. One product is designed for nighttime use under a pillow, and another is integrated into eyewear for daytime wear, offering a novel approach to managing tinnitus without further aggravating the condition.