MemberThis study was also presented at the TRI's recent meeting. It is one of two studies in which researchers used electrical stimulation to reduce or eliminate tinnitus. Significantly, in the double-blind study tinnitus disappeared in 33.6% of participants in the treatment group. Additional gains were seen in the treatment group, but they are not listed in the abstract. Finally, hearing improved in the treatment group.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24337877
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2013 Dec 13. [Epub ahead of print]
Direct current stimulation of the ear in tinnitus treatment: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.
Mielczarek M1, Olszewski J.
Author information
Abstract
The objectives of the study are assessment of the influence of direct current electrical stimulations of the ear in tinnitus treatment, comparison of the results with placebo group and evaluation of hearing after electrical stimulations. The study comprised 120 tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss patients (n = 184 tinnitus ears). In group one (n = 119 tinnitus ears) the authors applied a non-invasive hydrotransmissive electrical stimulation (15) of the ear, in group two (n = 65 tinnitus ears)-placebo electrical stimulation. Direct rectangular, positive polarization current was used. The frequency of stimulation was adjusted according to tinnitus frequency. In group two, the authors used similar procedure, but no current was delivered through the active electrode. Evaluation of tinnitus and hearing was conducted. In groups one and two, directly after the treatment, the number of ears with permanent tinnitus decreased considerably. In group one in 40 ears (33.6 %) tinnitus disappeared; in group two, tinnitus disappeared in four ears (6.1 %). After 30 days, statistically significant changes were observed in group one (p < 0.05), which were comparable with results returned 90 days later (p > 0.05). Changes in group two (after 30 and 90 days) were not significant (p > 0.05). The authors recognized audiometric improvement of hearing (in pure tone audiometry). The application of direct current electrical stimulation of the hearing organ, with current frequencies similar to tinnitus frequencies (selective electrical stimulation), was an efficient method in severe tinnitus treatment. We did not observe a harmful effect of direct current on hearing organ.
The authors published a similar study that further confirmed the efficacy of electrical stimulation of the ear for severe tinnitus.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22682958
Auris Nasus Larynx. 2013 Feb;40(1):61-5. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2012.05.006. Epub 2012 Jun 8.
The application of direct current electrical stimulation of the ear and cervical spine kinesitherapy in tinnitus treatment.
Mielczarek M1, Konopka W, Olszewski J.
The results of this study were equally impressive:
RESULTS:
Before the treatment, group I comprised 51 ears (87.93%) with permanent, and 7 ears (12.07%) with temporary tinnitus; group II - 55 ears (90.17%) with permanent and 6 ears (9.83%) with temporary tinnitus. After the treatment, in both groups the number of ears with permanent tinnitusdecreased considerably obtaining the pauses or disappearing of tinnitus. Directly after the treatment, group I comprised 25 ears (43.11%) with permanent, and 10 ears (17.24%) with temporary tinnitus, in 23 ears (39.65%) tinnitus disappeared; group II - 33 ears (54.1%) with permanent and 11 ears (18.03%) with temporary tinnitus, in 17 ears (27.87%) tinnitus disappeared. Regarding questionnaires, improvement was observed in group I - in 43.11% of ears, in group II - 32.8%. In both groups audiometric improvement of hearing was recognized.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24337877
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2013 Dec 13. [Epub ahead of print]
Direct current stimulation of the ear in tinnitus treatment: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.
Mielczarek M1, Olszewski J.
Author information
Abstract
The objectives of the study are assessment of the influence of direct current electrical stimulations of the ear in tinnitus treatment, comparison of the results with placebo group and evaluation of hearing after electrical stimulations. The study comprised 120 tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss patients (n = 184 tinnitus ears). In group one (n = 119 tinnitus ears) the authors applied a non-invasive hydrotransmissive electrical stimulation (15) of the ear, in group two (n = 65 tinnitus ears)-placebo electrical stimulation. Direct rectangular, positive polarization current was used. The frequency of stimulation was adjusted according to tinnitus frequency. In group two, the authors used similar procedure, but no current was delivered through the active electrode. Evaluation of tinnitus and hearing was conducted. In groups one and two, directly after the treatment, the number of ears with permanent tinnitus decreased considerably. In group one in 40 ears (33.6 %) tinnitus disappeared; in group two, tinnitus disappeared in four ears (6.1 %). After 30 days, statistically significant changes were observed in group one (p < 0.05), which were comparable with results returned 90 days later (p > 0.05). Changes in group two (after 30 and 90 days) were not significant (p > 0.05). The authors recognized audiometric improvement of hearing (in pure tone audiometry). The application of direct current electrical stimulation of the hearing organ, with current frequencies similar to tinnitus frequencies (selective electrical stimulation), was an efficient method in severe tinnitus treatment. We did not observe a harmful effect of direct current on hearing organ.
The authors published a similar study that further confirmed the efficacy of electrical stimulation of the ear for severe tinnitus.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22682958
Auris Nasus Larynx. 2013 Feb;40(1):61-5. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2012.05.006. Epub 2012 Jun 8.
The application of direct current electrical stimulation of the ear and cervical spine kinesitherapy in tinnitus treatment.
Mielczarek M1, Konopka W, Olszewski J.
The results of this study were equally impressive:
RESULTS:
Before the treatment, group I comprised 51 ears (87.93%) with permanent, and 7 ears (12.07%) with temporary tinnitus; group II - 55 ears (90.17%) with permanent and 6 ears (9.83%) with temporary tinnitus. After the treatment, in both groups the number of ears with permanent tinnitusdecreased considerably obtaining the pauses or disappearing of tinnitus. Directly after the treatment, group I comprised 25 ears (43.11%) with permanent, and 10 ears (17.24%) with temporary tinnitus, in 23 ears (39.65%) tinnitus disappeared; group II - 33 ears (54.1%) with permanent and 11 ears (18.03%) with temporary tinnitus, in 17 ears (27.87%) tinnitus disappeared. Regarding questionnaires, improvement was observed in group I - in 43.11% of ears, in group II - 32.8%. In both groups audiometric improvement of hearing was recognized.
