The objective of the investigators study is to assess conventional repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with chronic severe tinnitus. A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled procedure, with four increasing levels of magnetic "pseudo-dose" has been designed, in order to characterize the effectiveness of rTMS while controlling its safety and tolerability. By combining various rTMS protocols with a twelve-month follow-up, and using an effect modeling, the study aims at: (i) specify the effective values of rTMS parameters, with an adequate tolerance; (ii) determine the expected benefit and the persistence of effect; (iii) assess the practical feasibility of this kind of therapeutic management.
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Change from baseline in tinnitus perception, as measured over time using a visual analog rating scale (subjective loudness of tinnitus)
Timeframe: At subject enrollment; daily for 2 weeks before the intervention; before and after each rTMS session, once at the end of each week and at the end of intervention; during follow-up: twice a week for 6 months, and 1 year after the end of intervention