Evaluation of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions using low-level laser stimulation in individuals with normal hearing with tinnitus

Abstract

Background Tinnitus is a very disturbing phantom perception of a sound that does not exist. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been recently discussed as a treatment modality for inner ear cochlear dysfunction. Aim In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of using LLLT in individuals with long-term complaints of tinnitus of unknown etiology. In addition, the present study compared cochlear outer hair cell function in individuals with normal hearing with and without tinnitus using transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs). Participants and methods A total of 31 participants were included in this study, and all of them had normal hearing. Twenty-one of them who complained of nonpulsatile tinnitus of unknown etiology comprised the study group, and 10 individuals without tinnitus were included as controls. All participants were subjected to complete audiological evaluation and TEOAEs. The responses were documented for all participants before and after using LLLT. Results There were no significant differences between individuals with normal hearing with and without tinnitus with regard to audiological evaluation and TEOAEs. In addition, there was no change in TEOAEs in tinnitus patients after using low-level laser stimulation in our test protocol. Conclusion Participants with normal hearing complaining of tinnitus have normal TEOAEs. The use of LLLT was not effective objectively as recorded by TEOAEs, but there was mild improvement subjectively.