DIY Low-Level Laser Therapy for Tinnitus on a Budget — LLLT Under 100,-

[Rojo]

I'm sorry I did a little browsing but didn't really see anything clearly laid out, if I'm on a relative budget but want to try LLLT for my hyperacusis, what sort of device would I look to get and what's the standard protocol for usage?

 

[lymebite]

I'm sorry I did a little browsing but didn't really see anything clearly laid out, if I'm on a relative budget but want to try LLLT for my hyperacusis, what sort of device would I look to get and what's the standard protocol for usage?

There is no standard device and no standard protocol because medical research and clinical trials of light therapy for tinnitus and hyperacusis have been quite limited and inconclusive, especially for the high powered devices which have been released in the last few years. Most of the available studies are older and use low powered devices which were available at the time.

So to a great extent all you have to go on is the opinions and experiences of people posting in this thread and other threads on Tinnitus Talk about photobiomodulation. My own opinion would be to say to try an infrared "mini" device from Red Light Man because the devices are not expensive (about $100) and are very powerful. I have already written a lot about the Red Light Man devices so I will not repeat all that, but easy to find my previous posts, including this one:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/diy-low-level-laser-therapy-for-tinnitus-on-a-budget-—-lllt-under-100.15342/page-30#post-241934

 

[Tom Cnyc]

There is no standard device and no standard protocol because medical research and clinical trials of light therapy for tinnitus and hyperacusis have been quite limited and inconclusive, especially for the high powered devices which have been released in the last few years. Most of the available studies are older and use low powered devices which were available at the time.

So to a great extent all you have to go on is the opinions and experiences of people posting in this thread and other threads on Tinnitus Talk about photobiomodulation. My own opinion would be to say to try an infrared "mini" device from Red Light Man because the devices are not expensive (about $100) and are very powerful. I have already written a lot about the Red Light Man devices so I will not repeat all that, but easy to find my previous posts, including this one:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/diy-low-level-laser-therapy-for-tinnitus-on-a-budget-—-lllt-under-100.15342/page-30#post-241934

Two years later, you still using the lamp? Any improvement?

 

[Tom Cnyc]

@lymebite - you gonna answer the "good question"?? LOL

 

[lymebite]

Two years later, you still using the lamp? Any improvement?

Still using it. Mainly for ear pain - it helps some on a short term basis. Tinnitus is maybe slightly improved. Not sure if due to the light therapy or other factors.

 

[Artemis2K]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29160001

May cause cancer proliferation.

 

[Robert Aleman]

I'm thinking about ordering the Luci Basic home laser. Has anyone ever tried it? Only problem is that it costs over 3k but the doctor in Florida told me it helps patients with tinnitus and hyperacusis.

 

[GregCA]

I'm thinking about ordering the Luci Basic home laser. Has anyone ever tried it? Only problem is that it costs over 3k but the doctor in Florida told me it helps patients with tinnitus and hyperacusis.

There's a few efficacy studies on pubmed. I'd peruse that before making such a purchase.

 

[Coleoptere]

I'm thinking about ordering the Luci Basic home laser. Has anyone ever tried it? Only problem is that it costs over 3k but the doctor in Florida told me it helps patients with tinnitus and hyperacusis.

It only will help the vendor.

 

[lymebite]

I'm thinking about ordering the Luci Basic home laser. Has anyone ever tried it? Only problem is that it costs over 3k but the doctor in Florida told me it helps patients with tinnitus and hyperacusis.

Before investing over $3,000, you may wish to consider starting with a lower priced LLLT device and see if it helps. Konftec sells LASER LLLT devices (with specifications comparable to the Luci) for about $500 and Red Light Man sells LED LLLT devices for about $100.

The second of the three links shows a comparison of the Konftec devices with the Luci.


http://www.konftec.com/order/HTML/order-ht-tinnitus.htm

http://www.konftec.com/html/EN/Auricular_Laser_Comparison.htm

https://redlightman.com/product/infrared-mini-830/

 

[Robert Aleman]

Before investing over $3,000, you may wish to consider starting with a lower priced LLLT device and see if it helps. Konftec sells LASER LLLT devices (with specifications comparable to the Luci) for about $500 and Red Light Man sells LED LLLT devices for about $100.

The second of the three links shows a comparison of the Konftec devices with the Luci.


http://www.konftec.com/order/HTML/order-ht-tinnitus.htm

http://www.konftec.com/html/EN/Auricular_Laser_Comparison.htm

https://redlightman.com/product/infrared-mini-830/

Well I ended up getting the Luci Basic because I'm always hearing negative stuff about the Konftec. For the first couple of weeks the laser has helped my hyperacusis but has had no effect on the tinnitus. I guess it'll take more time to notice an effect on the tinnitus. The doctor recommended 30 minutes per day but I wonder if it's safe to use it for an hour?

 

[razo]

Let me introduce :

The DIY Soother
I had my first 20 minute session today and it relieved some of my stiff neck. No effect on the T yet, but I will continue the daily treatments. The LEDs get extremely hot and burn if not careful I jused a steel string to hold the LEDs (20W, 850 nm infrared LEDs). All in all, the parts on the picture cost me 80 USD on ebay, all you need is a soldering iron to make the cables and anyone should be able to build it.

 

[Artemis2K]

Someone rated a post "Informative". I'd like to state that I no longer believe that the LLLT helped me, and may have actually made my hearing loss worse.

 

[GBB]

@mattryp

I actually own two of the Red Light Man mini devices, both the pure 830 nm and the half 760 nm and half 830 nm. I find the red light from the 760 nm in the half and half to be VERY bright - definitely noticeable - and definitely bothersome if it accidentally hits an eye. I wear a blindfold when using it for the ears but even so have to be careful or can get a blast of really bright red light in an eye.

I do not find the same issue with the pure 830 nm, for me at least the visible light from the 830 nm is nearly undetectable, it is almost difficult to know if the device is turned on. I still wear a blindfold out of caution but do not get any bothersome visible light.

Someone on Tinnitus Talk once posted a photo in one of the LLLT threads in which they had put duct tape over swimming goggles and used that set-up as a blindfold. So that could be an idea for a way to shield the visible light if you go with the half and half.

As for symptoms, my tinnitus has been improving. Whether the light therapy can be credited, I think that is impossible to say for sure. But maybe.

I appreciate this is an old thread, but may I ask what your ultimate conclusion was regarding these lights? I found lasers too harsh - they spiked me - but am considering the LED's.

 

[lymebite]

I appreciate this is an old thread, but may I ask what your ultimate conclusion was regarding these lights?

I still use my Red Light Man LEDs and Konftec LASERs on an occasional basis. They by no means have cured my tinnitus or my noxacusis, but I find when my chronic ear pain in silence (one of the many awful constellation of symptoms associated with noxacusis) is particuarly bad, treatment with LLLT helps the pain to subside some.

 

[GBB]

I still use my Red Light Man LEDs and Konftec LASERs on an occasional basis. They by no means have cured my tinnitus or my noxacusis, but I find when my chronic ear pain in silence (one of the many awful constellation of symptoms associated with noxacusis) is particuarly bad, treatment with LLLT helps the pain to subside some.

Thanks! Did it help your tinnitus at all? That's primarily my interest. If not, no worries, just gathering some data to inform how I might proceed.

 

[lymebite]

Did it help your tinnitus at all? That's primarily my interest.

My tinnitus fluctuates a lot both short term (hour-to-hour and day-to-day) and long term (over the months) so it's difficult for me to say exactly. My best guess conclusion is that LLLT for my tinnitus is either neutral (no effect, positive or negative) or slightly helpful.

 

[Taw]

I still use my Red Light Man LEDs and Konftec LASERs on an occasional basis. They by no means have cured my tinnitus or my noxacusis, but I find when my chronic ear pain in silence (one of the many awful constellation of symptoms associated with noxacusis) is particuarly bad, treatment with LLLT helps the pain to subside some.

Hi @lymebite. I was wondering how are you these days, did your noxacusis improve?

Also what LED are you using? I am thinking about buying one myself but I don't know anything about the distance (from the ears) and the time that I should use it everyday.

Thanks.

 

[lymebite]

Also what LED are you using? I am thinking about buying one myself but I don't know anything about the distance (from the ears) and the time that I should use it everyday.

@Taw I do not think anybody really knows much about the best protocol for time and distance, unfortunately there is minimal research available. I have two of the Red Light Man devices, the Infrared Mini 830 and the Red-Infrared Combo Mini.

 

[gameover]

Any updates from users of Red Light Man? I just ordered the combo light...

 

[coolbeer]

Any updates from users of Red Light Man? I just ordered the combo light...

How are you doing now? Did you use the Red Light Man? Did you notice any improvement?

 

[2049v]

How are you doing now? Did you use the Red Light Man? Did you notice any improvement?

Man, I just noticed that you returned to Tinnitus Talk after ten years. How are you doing? How bad and intense was your tinnitus? How is it now?

 

[coolbeer]

Man, I just noticed that you returned to Tinnitus Talk after ten years. How are you doing? How bad and intense was your tinnitus? How is it now?

Hi buddy,

I'm doing well, thanks for asking. My tinnitus started in April 2014 and remained the same until 2022. Back then, my hearing loss was above 15-16 kHz. I could hear 16 kHz at 30 decibels (this was in 2014). During that time, I tried acupuncture, homeopathy, and a lot of supplements, but nothing worked. Eventually, I habituated, and it never really bothered me. I lived my life like a normal person but stayed away from firecrackers, nightclubs, and concerts. I rarely visited Tinnitus Talk, only browsing it once every 3-4 months to stay updated.

However, in 2022, I experienced another acoustic trauma after attending a wedding, which resulted in muffled hearing and a spike in my tinnitus. I took 20 acupuncture sessions from a highly trained acupuncturist over two months, and thankfully, it settled back down to baseline (2014 levels) within about 2-3 months. I habituated again but became much more careful with my hearing, wearing earplugs even in cafés, restaurants, etc.

Then, on May 29th, 2024, while walking through a narrow street, a bike honked just behind me. The sound was so loud it felt like it pierced my ears. I don't know how loud it was, but it could have been around 115-125 dB, though it only lasted for about a second. Immediately after the exposure, I felt like my tinnitus spiked. The tinnitus in my right ear became a foreground sound rather than background noise. Or maybe I just became more conscious of it and was kicked out of habituation.

I got really anxious and started wearing noise-canceling headphones everywhere, trying to protect my hearing. After a month, I began acupuncture again, but this time it didn't help at all. It's been almost three months since the last acoustic trauma, and the spike still feels like it's there. Now, I'm back to square one. I even tried David Case's Tinnitus Mix for three days, but it didn't help.

I've been exploring the possibility of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and considering anything that might help. At this point, I don't think this spike will settle down, and it feels permanent. I've even considered flying to Dr. Wilden in Ibiza, but spending money on something without a guarantee feels like burning money. The RED LIGHT device seems like the only affordable option I could try, but I'm worried it might cause cancer or other ailments.

Now, my hearing dips after 13-14 kHz, and I don't know what to do. I'm feeling depressed and desperate, willing to try anything and everything again.

Thanks for asking, @2049v. How are you doing?

 

[2049v]

Hi buddy,

I'm doing well, thanks for asking. My tinnitus started in April 2014 and remained the same until 2022. Back then, my hearing loss was above 15-16 kHz. I could hear 16 kHz at 30 decibels (this was in 2014). During that time, I tried acupuncture, homeopathy, and a lot of supplements, but nothing worked. Eventually, I habituated, and it never really bothered me. I lived my life like a normal person but stayed away from firecrackers, nightclubs, and concerts. I rarely visited Tinnitus Talk, only browsing it once every 3-4 months to stay updated.

However, in 2022, I experienced another acoustic trauma after attending a wedding, which resulted in muffled hearing and a spike in my tinnitus. I took 20 acupuncture sessions from a highly trained acupuncturist over two months, and thankfully, it settled back down to baseline (2014 levels) within about 2-3 months. I habituated again but became much more careful with my hearing, wearing earplugs even in cafés, restaurants, etc.

Then, on May 29th, 2024, while walking through a narrow street, a bike honked just behind me. The sound was so loud it felt like it pierced my ears. I don't know how loud it was, but it could have been around 115-125 dB, though it only lasted for about a second. Immediately after the exposure, I felt like my tinnitus spiked. The tinnitus in my right ear became a foreground sound rather than background noise. Or maybe I just became more conscious of it and was kicked out of habituation.

I got really anxious and started wearing noise-canceling headphones everywhere, trying to protect my hearing. After a month, I began acupuncture again, but this time it didn't help at all. It's been almost three months since the last acoustic trauma, and the spike still feels like it's there. Now, I'm back to square one. I even tried David Case's Tinnitus Mix for three days, but it didn't help.

I've been exploring the possibility of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and considering anything that might help. At this point, I don't think this spike will settle down, and it feels permanent. I've even considered flying to Dr. Wilden in Ibiza, but spending money on something without a guarantee feels like burning money. The RED LIGHT device seems like the only affordable option I could try, but I'm worried it might cause cancer or other ailments.

Now, my hearing dips after 13-14 kHz, and I don't know what to do. I'm feeling depressed and desperate, willing to try anything and everything again.

Thanks for asking, @2049v. How are you doing?

Everything is really, really bad for me, my friend. My tinnitus is extremely loud. It started after using headphones and has reached a level that is driving me to the brink. Unfortunately, it came along with muffled hearing, hyperacusis, and a decrease in the clarity of sounds.

My life has fallen apart. I can barely leave the house. It's been three months since it started, but I'm still struggling without sound therapy. I even have to wear earplugs when I go outside, to the market, anywhere. I can't work. I had to break up with my girlfriend of five years. Instead of enjoying life, I completely hate it.

Since my tinnitus started, it has been at an extremely high level. I hear it all the time, no matter where I am. Some days are so bad that I can't sleep at all during the night. The intensity of the sound is overwhelming. Anyway, I don't want to spread more negativity by writing too much. I hope you get better soon.