Tinnitus affects up to one in five adults, so there is a good chance you know someone impacted by this chronic condition, where individuals hear unwanted sounds that don’t exist externally.

Tinnitus is a persistent ringing, buzzing, or whirring sound in your ears; it can be loud or soft, pulsing or steady. It is usually caused by a fault in the auditory system. It is a symptom, not a disease in itself. There is currently no approved or effective medicine or surgery to treat tinnitus. Doctors prescribe behavioural therapies that simply ‘habituate’ people to the condition

Donate to help fund new technology that objectively measures tinnitus.

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Our Solution

The team at the Bionics Institute are working to validate an objective measure of tinnitus by using a non-invasive, brain imaging technique called functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). A pilot study may finally offer hope of establishing a baseline for tracking the complex changes that tinnitus triggers in our brains and, crucially, for measuring the severity of individual cases.

Custom Donation

The Issue

Where your donation goes

Every dollar goes directly to help fund clinical trials of our new tinnitus research and make this work possible. It is hoped this technology may be available in clinics within the next few years and will assist specialists in assessing new treatments for tinnitus and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment programs on patients.

Is my donation tax deductible?
The Bionics Institute is endorsed as a deductible gift recipient (DGR). All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
How is my donation kept secure?
We will always store your personal details securely. We'll use them to provide the service that you have requested, and communicate with you in the way(s) that you have agreed to. Your data may also be used for analysis purposes, to help us provide the best service possible. For full details see our Privacy Policy
Can I cancel my monthly donation?
Yes, we understand your circumstances may change. Simply call us on + 61 3 9667 7500 if you’d like to discuss your options or cancel your monthly donation.
Can I donate annually or quarterly instead?
Yes. Please contact the Institute directly to set this up on +613 9667 7500
How you can increase or reduce your monthly donation?
Simply call us on + 61 3 9667 7500 if you’d like to change your monthly donation.
Helpful information on tax receipts and what your donation will be used for?
Since the foundation of the Institute in 1986, our donors have demonstrated their trust in us through their gifts and supported us in transforming people’s lives through research into areas of chronic disease and innovative medical device engineering. Your donations contribute to every facet of the research undertaken at the Bionics Institute. Whether you are an individual, a philanthropic foundation or a company, your gift will bring us closer to making discoveries and breakthroughs. The Bionics Institute is endorsed as a deductable gift recipient (DGR). All donations over $2 are tax deductible and will be receipted shortly after your donation is received. Your donation will help us get closer to understanding tinnitus and enable us to make our measuring device available to the public sooner.

Research Team

Program leader: Dr Mehrnaz Shoushtarian


ABN number 56006580883

384-388 Albert St, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
P: + 61 3 9667 7500
E: enquiries@bionicsinstitute.org