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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
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Concurrent Electroencephalography Recording During Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)
Published on: January 22, 2016
In-Ear Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation: Auditory Perception and Side Effects Depend on Electrode
Luca M Reinema1, Arnd Meiser2, Niklas Mellerke1
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany.
Summary
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a safe and effective treatment for severe aortic stenosis, improving survival and quality of life. This study found TAVI to be superior to medical management in high-risk patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuromodulation
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Medical Device Development
Background:
- Noninvasive transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) shows potential for chronic tinnitus treatment.
- Stimulating sensitive auditory regions like the inner ear poses risks of adverse side effects (SEs).
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify tACS parameters for reliable cochlear stimulation with minimal SEs.
- Enhance patient comfort and safety in tinnitus therapy.
- Inform the development of a medical device for chronic tinnitus.
Main Methods:
- Healthy hearing participants received ear canal electrode stimulation.
- Systematic comparison of hearing impressions (HI) and SEs across electrode configurations and stimulation parameters (frequency, DC-offset).
- SE severity was rated using visual analog scales.
Main Results:
- tACS between 250 Hz and 2000 Hz reliably elicited HIs.
- SE severity varied with stimulation parameters; no SEs led to withdrawal or severe events.
- Reported impactful SEs included phosphenes, skin tingling, and vibration; DC-offset increased phosphenes but not HI occurrence.
Conclusions:
- Noninvasive tACS can stimulate the auditory pathway with minimal SEs.
- Feasible stimulation parameters with low SE profiles are identified for future tinnitus patient studies.
