Research Projects we Wish to Fund
Legacies and donations help us fund a number of important research projects, including:
Audiometric testing and tinnitus matching:� �25 - �50
Testing a tinnitus patient's hearing is often the first step required in seeing how healthy their hearing is. Once we have done this, it can put the tinnitus in a broader context of their hearing health.Blood tests: �50 - �100
Researchers can only determine the effectiveness of a drug on any illness if they have information about blood levels. This involves first taking a blood sample by medical staff and then having the sample analysed.Functional MRI scans: �500 - �1,000
Functional MRI scans provide a very exciting way of seeing safely inside the brain and literally obtaining 3-D images of how the parts of the brain are working. In certain patients, this would allow researchers and doctors to pinpoint which parts of the brain may be involved with generating their tinnitus. These tests give invaluable information about the specific activity of these brain areas and give new clues as to what treatments may be most effective in any one person.Analysis of new compounds:� �5,000-�10,000
Checking the suitability of new drugs from the medical literature and preparing their entry for initial trial in patients is a prerequisite to more detailed investigation. Information from a small trial can give clues to how promising a drug may be.
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Tinnitus lab with the latest audiometric equipment:� �25,000 - �50,000
A tinnitus laboratory complete with state-of-the-art, computer-driven equipment and customised software would provide the ability to comprehensively test patients in one place. Along with measuring their tinnitus, this would involve testing many aspects of how the patient hears and, as important, how their tinnitus affects their hearing. For example, we can determine how tinnitus may interfere with understanding speech or concentration.
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Training new tinnitus researchers: �60,000 - �80,000
Training young new investigators in tinnitus research is vital in the search for new treatments.� After obtaining their first degree, further training can take at least three years. During this time, they would be encouraged specifically to unearth new ways of tackling tinnitus research problems.�
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Full Project support: �100,000
For a dedicated clinical trial into treatments for tinnitus,� �100,000 would pay for a doctor specially trained in research plus many of the associated costs for running the trial for two years.� This would involve the in-depth/detailed following up and treating of tinnitus patients over this period and the statistical analysis of all their results to ensure the effectiveness and safety of any treatments.
We attract some of the finest scientists and medics that specialise in tinnitus because of our commitment and dedication to finding a cure for tinnitus and the support we provide for researchers.
