Tinnitus biomarker may be found in blood protein prestin

Researchers at the University of Connecticut found that people with chronic tinnitus had significantly higher blood levels of the inner-ear protein prestin than those without the condition. The 82-person study suggests prestin could serve as the first objective biomarker for tinnitus.

• 41 people with chronic tinnitus had higher blood prestin levels than 41 controls
• The average difference was just 330 picograms per milliliter
• The test is not yet accurate enough for diagnosis or symptom severity
• The research was published in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery