Many thousands of New Zealanders suffer from tinnitus in a severe or debilitating form. It is a tortuous condition for the afflicted, often indicated by a ringing or humming sounds in the head but sometimes can be described as a throb or a scream.
Having heard from anaesthetists about coincidental and unexpected temporary relief from tinnitus following intravenous injection of lignocaine, in 1976 DRF appointed on a one year contract, anaesthetist Dr Pamela Melding to work in a team to investigate this potential break through. Chronic tinnitus has continued to be the subject of important research sponsored by the DRF over the years.
The research breakthroughs and scientific papers published have led to New Zealand being recognised as a world leader in the management of chronic tinnitus.