Tinnitus researchers at the Bionics Institute published findings of an important study in the Journal of Neural Engineering in August 2024 that has a twofold impact. 

Firstly, it provides definitive evidence that the tinnitus diagnostic tool developed by our researchers can detect changes in tinnitus severity or presence in the same person, which means the technique can be used to determine the effectiveness of potential treatments.

Secondly, it provides a better understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying the suppression of tinnitus with cochlear implant use.

Lead tinnitus researcher, Dr Mehrnaz Shoushtarian says that use of cochlear implants is known to improve the perception of tinnitus (hearing sounds that are not present externally), although it can have the opposite effect in some cases.

In this study, researchers investigated whether changes in brain networks with a cochlear implant turned on and off were associated with tinnitus perception, as rated subjectively by 14 participants.

Dr Shoushtarian said: “The findings showed that we can objectively measure changes in tinnitus perception in an individual, which will be critical for monitoring treatment effectiveness in our upcoming clinical trials of emerging treatments in collaboration with clinician researchers.”

Bionics Institute Chief Technology Officer, Professor James Fallon said: “These findings could also pave the way for effective use of cochlear implants, or other less invasive techniques, as a treatment for tinnitus.”

You can access the publication and read more about our tinnitus research, which uses a non-invasive neuroimaging technique called fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) to detect the presence and severity of tinnitus here.

Our novel treatment for rheumatoid arthritis great breakthrough will begin a clinical trial in late 2024.

The treatment uses an electrical medical device to target the nervous system and trigger the body’s natural anti-inflammatory response. It could help bring hope of relief to the significant number of people with rheumatoid arthritis who do not respond to drug therapy and suffer ongoing pain and disability.

Incredibly, lead researcher Dr Sophie Payne and her team have progressed the treatment, currently in trials for Crohn’s disease, from the seed of an idea to clinical trial in just two years. This achievement was made possible with the kind generosity of Neville and Di Bertalli, two of the Bionics Institute’s most long-standing supporters.

The promising results, developed with their generous contribution, have enabled us to leverage other funding and we are delighted to announce a successful grant from the Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund (VMRAF) to help our researchers move one step closer to creating a drug-free and pain-free future for those with rheumatoid arthritis.

This is one of several grants that have been made possible by Di and Neville’s support of the Bionics Institute. For every dollar they have donated, we have been able to secure a further three dollars, multiplying their impact and leaving a legacy for generations to come.

Innovation lies at the heart of the Bionics Institute and our researchers are supported to explore innovative research ideas.

Early-stage seed funding is crucial to enable researchers to investigate new ideas that could lead to groundbreaking treatments for patients. It provides the financial support needed to conduct preliminary research.

We have set up a Bionics Incubator Fund (BIF) to provide the seed funding our researchers need to gather essential data and refine their hypotheses. Without this vital support, many promising solutions might never get off the ground, delaying the development of life-saving treatments and innovations to improve patient outcomes.

Our rheumatoid arthritis device, which is about to go to clinical trial, started as a BIF project. And there are many other vital research projects being supported by early-stage funding, including:

A drug-free approach to relieve chronic pain

Chronic pain affects a staggering 1 in 4 people worldwide. Opioids, commonly prescribed for pain conditions, give inconsistent and often inadequate relief of symptoms, and can lead to serious side-effects, addiction, and overdose.

Thanks to seed funding from The CASS Foundation, Associate Professor Rachael Richardson and her team have started developing a treatment that uses a combination of electricity and light to provide drug-free management of chronic pain. It works by selectively stimulating nerve activity to mask the pain and provide desperately needed relief.

The success of this research could revolutionise the way we interact with the nervous system repetition and help those suffering from chronic pain.

A new electrical stimulation treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy

Epilepsy affects an estimated 150,000 Australians, with a third continuing to have seizures despite medication. Current treatments for epilepsy include drug therapy, surgery and vagus nerve stimulation at neck level – treatments which can cause unpleasant side effects and may not be suitable for all patients.

With positive preliminary findings, and thanks to significant early-stage funding from a generous foundation, lead researcher Dr Tomoko Hyakumura is now able to move forward with evaluating the effectiveness of abdominal vagus nerve stimulation to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures without the side effects caused by current treatments.

Bionics Institute researchers need your help to make their groundbreaking ideas a reality. Your donation towards the Bionics Incubator Fund today, could turn the seed of an idea into a new life-changing treatment in the future.

A celebration of our rich history in medical innovation was held on 2 July, hosted at Government House by Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria.

The event marked 46 years since the successful implantation of the first multi-channel cochlear implant. Invented and developed by Bionics Institute founder, Laureate Professor Grame Clark AC at the University of Melbourne, the cochlear implant has given the joy of hearing to over 750,000 people worldwide.

The cochlear implant not only changed the way hearing loss is treated forever, but also built the discipline of Biomedical Engineering and led to the creation of the Bionics Institute (then known as The Bionic Ear Institute) in 1986.

Since then, our researchers have continued to build on this knowledge and expertise to put the Bionics Institute and Australia at the forefront of medical device research. We have expanded into the development of devices and treatments for some of the world’s most challenging conditions, including Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.

The celebration brought together many of our wonderful supporters that represent the community and dedication behind the continuous progress of Bionics Institute research. Progress that would not be possible without the caring contributions of our donors like you.

We are incredibly proud that Bionics Institute researchers were included in the 2024 Best Neuroscience Scientists in the World by Research.com.

Congratulations to:

• Professor Kate Hoy – Head of Cognitive Therapeutics
• Associate Professor Andrew Wise – Lead, Hearing Therapeutics
• Professor Malcolm Horne – Professor in Residence
• Professor Dexter Irvine – Honorary Research Fellow
• Professor Mark Cook – Clinical Collaborator

Professor Kate Hoy, has developed a treatment program with the aim of improving brain function for people with Alzheimer’s disease.

She has led a number of world-first brain stimulation clinical trials, including trials for the treatment and prevention of dementia.

Prof Hoy’s depth and breadth of experience in the field of non-invasive brain stimulation is largely unparalleled, having worked with a variety of stimulation methods, diverse patient populations, and a wide range of research methodologies.

Associate Professor Andrew Wise is working on a world-first drug treatment which aims to restore hearing loss using nanotechnology.

The nanoparticle technology to delivers growth factors to protect the inner ear sensory cells from degeneration and promote repair following hearing loss.

His current research aims to progress this novel therapeutic approach to a first in human clinical trial that will enable the clinical translation of this exciting technology.

Find out more about their research here.