The Little Book of Irish Science SFI Little Book of Irish Science | Page 51

Mutebutton
(neuromod)
Researchers at the National University of Ireland
Maynooth have developed a technology that aims to
alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus, a condition where
the person ‘hears’ noises such as ringing or hissing even
though there is no external source of the sound. The
device, called MuteButton, simultaneously stimulates the
sense of hearing and touch by playing sounds to the ear
and stimulating touch using sensors on the tongue. The
approach targets centres in the spinal cord and brain that
integrate sound and touch, with the aim of suppressing
the perceived but imaginary sounds of tinnitus.
www.mutebutton.ie
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