My Red Light Man (RLM) device arrived last week. I ordered the $100 "Infrared Light Device Mini" model which has two light wavelengths, 760 nm / 830 nm :
https://redlightman.com/product/infrared-light-device-mini/
I have seen no studies published about this device or anything close for inner ear disorders, so I have no idea if it will be effective. To the best of my knowledge, all the studies on light therapy for T and H were done with laser, not LED. However, these studies are becoming mostly older studies, and LED seems to be supplanting laser for light therapy (due to lower cost and better eye safety). My sense is that most people, such as Dr. Michael Hamblin, seem to be saying that LED is equally effective as laser when the comparison is apples-to-apples (same wavelength and same power as measured in mW per cm 2).
And, LED may even be more effective than laser, because there is wavelength "bleed" - my RLM device is centered around 760 nm and 830 nm, but it bleeds into nearby frequencies too. Laser light does not do this, if you have a 760 nm laser you get exactly 760 (and not 759 or 761). Common sense wise, it seems logical that cells might be happier receiving a bit of variation in frequencies (that you get from LED), not just the exact one (that you get from laser).
The RLM lamp is about 4 inches in diameter and casts a big circle of light. My hope is that it may work in the way of the LLLT approach at the Lumomed and Wilden clinics. The attached photos show how they cast a big circle of light, they do not put a small device in the ear canal. The close up head shot photo is from Dr. Wilden's clinic, and the photo that shows the entire patient sitting in a chair is from the Lumomed clinic.
The RLM device seems to be of high build quality, it looks like it will last a long time. It is basically a fancy light bulb, so it will fit into any standard light socket. This can be helpful for purposes of aiming it. It ships with a socket on a cord that you can use with a hand-held approach.
The device seems very powerful - while the LEDs themselves remains cold, it causes tissue to heat up at a fair distance away. This is consistent with the specifications listed on the RLM website, which says the power at 10 cm distance is 200 mW / cm 2. The consumption power is 18 watts, but this is not relevant in terms of light therapy - what matters is the output power as measured by mW / cm 2.
While there are not studies of LED for inner ear disorders, there are studies that show effectiveness for other conditions. So, this device can be used to treat issues other than just the ear. For example, I very painfully stepped on a sharp rock a few days ago when I was not wearing shoes and got a bad bruise. Light therapy has been shown to be effective for this sort of injury, so I have been using my RLM device to treat it. I do not know for certain if my foot is now recovering faster than without light therapy, but it feels like it is, and the studies would suggest that to be the case.
So, I figured for $100 the RLM device was worth a shot, especially since it is helpful after stepping on sharp rocks. And other conditions too, there are treatment guidelines on the RLM website:
https://redlightman.com/blog/complete-guide-light-therapy-dosing/
For inner ear purposes, I am starting with 5 minutes per ear, twice a week. I hold the device about 5 or 10 cm away from the ear. RLM claims the device is eye safe but I wear a blindfold just to be extra cautious. I expect it will be months or longer, if ever, before I see improvements. But you can't win if you don't play.
I did try the Ilauke 5W lamp, which I returned to Amazon for a refund yesterday. I used it with a AA battery and do not recall if anyone on this thread ever figured out what the power of that lamp was in terms of mW / cm2 with just a regular AA battery. Unlike the RLM device, I felt no effect of the Ilauke lamp in terms of the tissue heating up from the light. Based on that, I am guessing the power was low.
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