Augustana College's Barbara A. Roseman Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing is now offering assessment appointments for individuals with tinnitus seeking relief through the FDA-approved Lenire treatment device. The Roseman Center became one of the first clinics in Illinois to offer Lenire in 2023.
Lenire: A Novel Approach to Tinnitus Management
Developed by Neuromod Devices, Lenire employs bimodal neuromodulation, delivering sound through wireless headphones combined with mild electrical pulses to the tongue. This dual-mode approach has demonstrated clinically significant relief from tinnitus in both clinical trials and real-world settings.
"Tinnitus is a complex brain-signaling condition that causes individuals to perceive sound, often a ringing in the ears, with no external source," explains Dr. Ann Perreau, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders and the Audiology Clinic coordinator at Augustana College. "Augustana is proud to offer this device to individuals in the Quad Cities who are seeking relief from tinnitus, which can impact 10-25% of adults and some children."
Clinical Evidence and Patient Outcomes
Lenire received De Novo FDA approval in 2023. Clinical trials have indicated that Lenire's bimodal approach outperforms sound-only therapy, particularly for individuals with moderate to severe tinnitus. The device combines audio stimulation via headphones with mild electrical stimulation of the tongue.
Roseman Center's Experience with Lenire
"Our patients have benefited from Lenire in numerous ways," reports Dr. Perreau. "Patients report that their tinnitus is less noticeable and not nearly as intense. They are sleeping better and able to shift their attention away from tinnitus."
To date, the Roseman Center has provided Lenire treatment to twenty patients. Individuals interested in assessment appointments can visit augustana.edu/clinic or call 309-794-7358.
Additional Initiatives
In 2023, Dr. Perreau also initiated a remote counseling program for individuals with tinnitus. Participants engaged in six weekly video-recorded counseling sessions and other activities designed to explore the impact of tinnitus on their lives and to gather information that could contribute to the development of new remedies for the condition.
Roseman Center's Long-Standing Commitment
The non-profit Roseman Center has been providing communication therapy to community members in need of speech, language, and hearing services for over 75 years. The clinic provides speech services to more than eighty clients weekly during the school year and serves over fifty clients in the summer. Additionally, it serves approximately 180 audiology clients annually. The center offers a range of services, including hearing tests for all ages, hearing-aid evaluation and fitting, and hyperacusis evaluation and management, in addition to tinnitus evaluation and management.
