Low Level Laser Therapy In Treatment Of Tinnitus

Abstract

Many studies have been conducted regarding using low power laser in treating patients suffering from tinnitus. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of 2Watt laser irradiation in the treatment of tinnitus(subjective tinnitus of sensor- neural in origin). A new procedure is used in this study by selecting 19 patients suffering from tinnitus who have not responded to medical therapy for a long period of time. Those treated by low level laser therapy have the irradiation toward cochlea,27 ears in 19 patients with unilateral or bilateral tinnitus , 2 Watt laser with wavelength of 790- 805 nm is applied toward cochlea for 7.5 minuets three times per week . A questionnaire is administered by asking patients to score their symptoms on a percentage scale before and after laser irradiation. A decrease of one scale regarding the loudness, duration of tinnitus and degree of annoyance of tinnitus is accepted to represent any improvement.The results are estimated by the change of loudness, duration and degree of annoyance due to tinnitus.57.8%of patients have demonstrated improvement in their tinnitus. It is concluded that laser therapy seemed to be worth trying on patients with intractable tinnitus.