From the Guidelines
The most effective treatment for tinnitus is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which should be recommended to patients with persistent, bothersome tinnitus, as it has been shown to have a preponderance of benefit over harm 1.
Tinnitus Treatment Overview
Tinnitus is a symptom defined by the perception of sound in the absence of external stimuli, affecting over 50 million Americans, and can have significant negative impacts on psychosocial well-being and quality of life 1. The treatment of tinnitus should prioritize strategies that improve the patient's quality of life and reduce the bothersome nature of the symptom.
Education and Counseling
Education and counseling are essential components of tinnitus management, as they can help patients understand their condition and develop coping strategies 1. Clinicians should educate patients with persistent, bothersome tinnitus about management strategies, including CBT, to help them manage their symptoms effectively.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a highly effective treatment for tinnitus, as it helps patients change their negative thoughts and behaviors associated with the condition 1. By recommending CBT to patients with persistent, bothersome tinnitus, clinicians can help them reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Imaging and Other Interventions
Imaging studies, such as CT and MRI, may be useful in the evaluation of pulsatile tinnitus to rule out underlying vascular anomalies or abnormalities 1. However, imaging is not usually appropriate in the evaluation of subjective, nonpulsatile tinnitus that does not localize to one ear and is not associated with focal neurological abnormalities or asymmetric hearing loss.
Key Considerations
When evaluating and treating tinnitus, clinicians should consider the following key points:
- Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease, and its treatment should focus on managing the underlying cause and improving the patient's quality of life.
- CBT is a highly effective treatment for tinnitus and should be recommended to patients with persistent, bothersome symptoms.
- Imaging studies should be used judiciously and only when necessary to rule out underlying conditions that may be contributing to the patient's symptoms.
- Education and counseling are essential components of tinnitus management and should be provided to all patients with persistent, bothersome tinnitus.
From the Research
Tinnitus Treatment
- Tinnitus, also known as ringing in the ears, can be treated with various methods, including the use of food supplements 2.
- A study published in the Journal of dietary supplements found that a food supplement called Tinnitan Duo® was effective in improving tinnitus response and intensity in patients with subjective tinnitus and emotional affectation 2.
- The supplement contains 5-hydroxytryptophan, Ginkgo biloba, magnesium, melatonin, vitamin B5 and B6, and zinc, and was found to significantly reduce the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) total score and the emotional subscale after 3 months of treatment 2.
- The study also found that the perceived tinnitus loudness significantly decreased after 3 months of treatment, and that the audiogram showed no significant changes in hearing status after 3 months of treatment 2.
- The safety profile of the supplement was found to be good, with only mild or moderate adverse events reported, and most of them were not related to the study treatment 2.
Other Conditions
- Other studies have focused on different conditions, such as Tourette's syndrome 3, hypertension 4, obstructive sleep apnoea 5, and clinical recommendations in medical practice 6.
- These studies do not provide direct evidence for the treatment of tinnitus, but may be relevant for understanding the complexities of other conditions and the importance of evidence-based medicine and patient-centered care.