title: Transmeatal low-power laser irradiation for tinnitus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate effectiveness of 60-mW laser irradiation in the treatment of tinnitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized double-blind study.
  
  
  METHODS
  This investigation included 68 ears in 45 patients with disabling unilateral or bilateral tinnitus. The active or placebo laser treatment was administered transmeatally once a week for 6 minutes. Laser irradiation was performed four times during a 4-week period. A questionnaire was administered to evaluate the loudness, duration, quality, and annoyance of tinnitus before and after irradiation. The loudness and pitch match for tinnitus were obtained, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions were also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was observed between the active and placebo laser groups with regard to outcome of loudness, duration, quality, and annoyance of tinnitus. In one patient who received active laser treatment, acute hearing deterioration occurred after the third irradiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transmeatal low-power laser irradiation with 60 mW is not effective for the treatment of tinnitus.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
authors: Tsutomu
authors: T
authors: Nakashima
authors: Hiromi
authors: H
authors: Ueda
authors: Hayato
authors: H
authors: Misawa
authors: Toru
authors: T
authors: Suzuki
authors: Mitsuo
authors: M
authors: Tominaga
authors: Atsushi
authors: A
authors: Ito
authors: Shinjiro
authors: S
authors: Numata
authors: Sachio
authors: S
authors: Kasai
authors: Kiyomitsu
authors: K
authors: Asahi
authors: Jack A
authors: JA
authors: Vernon
authors: Mary B
authors: MB
authors: Meikle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008144:Loudness Perception; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D017211:Treatment Failure