Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for tinnitus.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on tinnitus.


METHODS
A Medline search from 1960-2007 yielding 22 studies.


RESULTS
No significant effect could be demonstrated in four prospective studies. Retrospective studies indicate greater improvement in tinnitus in acute cases (49-85%) compared with tinnitus episodes exceeding three months (34-38%). One study, however, showed significantly more improvement in patients with positive expectations before therapy (60.3%) compared with those with negative expectations (19%).


CONCLUSIONS
There are no significant data about the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation for tinnitus, but there are indications of a better effect in acute cases. However, a major psychological component and a low risk of enhancement of the tinnitus should be considered.
Desloovere
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Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Catholic University Leuven, Belgium. Christian.Desloovere@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000379:methods*; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome