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A Protocol for the Administration of Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback Training
Published on: August 24, 2017
The history of tinnitus: from ancient interpretations to contemporary neuroscience and neuromodulation
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Puducherry, 607402, India. reginw6@gmail.com.
Objective:
To review the historical evolution of tinnitus from ancient civilizations to contemporary neuromodulation-based therapies.
Methods:
A narrative historical review was undertaken using PubMed, Google Scholar, historical archives, classical medical texts, and landmark otological publications. Sources were selected according to historical significance, relevance to tinnitus, and contribution to major shifts in its conceptualisation and management.
Results:
As a non-systematic narrative review, this study traces the conceptual paradigm shifts in tinnitus understanding. Early civilizations attributed tinnitus to supernatural causes, while Greek and Islamic scholars introduced humoral and clinical theories. The nineteenth century established scientific otology, rooting tinnitus in peripheral ear pathology. Crucially, modern neuroscience prompted a paradigm shift from these peripheral cochlear models to central network theories. This shift has driven the exploration of specific neuromodulation modalities, such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and bimodal stimulation.
Conclusion:
The history of tinnitus reflects the broader evolution of medicine, progressing from superstition to evidence-based neuro-otological science.
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