title: Medium-level laser in chronic tinnitus treatment.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of medium-level laser therapy in chronic tinnitus treatment. In a prospective double-blind placebo-controlled trial, either active laser (450 mW, 830 nm combined Ga-Al-As diode laser) or placebo irradiation was applied through the external acoustic meatus of the affected ear towards the cochlea. Fourty-eight patients with chronic tinnitus were studied. The main outcome was measured using the Goebel tinnitus questionnaire, visual analogue scales measuring the perceived loudness of tinnitus, the annoyance associated with tinnitus, and the degree of attention paid to tinnitus as well as psycho-acoustical matches of tinnitus pitch and loudness. The results did show only very moderate temporary improvement of tinnitus. Moreover, no statistically relevant differences between laser and placebo group could be found. We conclude that medium-level laser therapy cannot be regarded as an effective treatment of chronic tinnitus in our therapy regime considering the limited number of patients included in our study.
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, Regional Hospital, Endach 27, 6330 Kufstein, Austria.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dejakum
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piegger
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Plewka
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gunkel
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Thumfart
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kudaibergenova
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Goebel
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kral
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Freysinger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015990:Placebo Effect; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*