IS LLLT FOR TINNITUS BY DR. WILDEN A SCAM?
I started my discussion as a new thread because many people at tinnitus talk approach this subject in the dark with preconceived notions. Many people want to convince themselves that there is a "magical cure" in the application of an instrument that Dr. Wilden promotes. Yet to this date, Dr. Wilden has avoided any involvement in clinical studies, which can easily test and determine effectiveness of treatment. Therefore, I am asking for any solid proof that "LLLT" therapy works significantly better than placebo.
I was in correspondence with Dr. Lutz Wilden for several weeks about 10 months ago. I asked him repeatedly for medical proof (clinical studies, random trials, etc.) that indicated his alternative method indeed does work. Dr. Wilden talked a lot about clinical research that he did with his colleagues, but failed to furnish any degree of proof.
A friend of mine from Eastern Europe visited Dr. Wilden, he paid him lots of money for Laser Treatments but received no relief. My friend met about half a dozen other patients at Dr. Wilden's clinic. He contacted all of them one year later and no one felt better about their Tinnitus.
Personally speaking, Dr. Wilden reminds me of a well-known Israeli scammer Dr. Shemesh, therefore I decided not to give my hard-earned money to another con artist.
All scammers have one thing in common: they fail to publish any "statistical findings" and hide their "therapy protocol" from legitimate clinical research. They absolutely know that their "treatment" does not work, but they greed for the money anyway. Yes, they do know that they are stealing money!!! All of them appear as "charismatic, kind and compassionate" – of course only if you pay them.
The most commonly used excuses to explain why legitimate clinical research has not yet been done for their treatments are:
1) They claim to use "natural ingredients" which – they say - do not need research because "they are natural, not chemical" (Herbs, Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids, Enzymes, etc. for Tinnitus). In reality, however, any substance, produced in a laboratory or in nature does have a chemical formula and its efficacy can be proved or disproved by double blind placebo study.
2) The "hearing aid industry" does not support my research; expressed by Dr. Wilden. The Israeli Army has "classified my treatment data as a military secret"; expressed by Dr. Shemesh. In reality, however, there is no need for hearing aid industry to support the research of Dr Wilden. Dr. Wilden should publish his ideas in peer review journals, and clinical trials will follow without any expense to Dr. Wilden. In addition, the "military secret" excuse is only a lie created by Dr. Shemesh – Tinnitus therapy has never been classified:
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/low-level-laser-therapy-lllt-for-tinnitus-—-efficacy-debate.7650/page-11#post-88700
3) Both Dr. Wilden and Dr. Shemesh claim they are "too busy helping patients and do not want to waste their precious time to find out whether their therapy indeed works". In reality, both of them are only too busy scheduling cash-paying patients (customers) and do not want research faculty to determine that their "therapy" is ineffective – no better than placebo. This would ruin their business.
Many Tinnitus sufferers are emotionally drawn into the fascination about LASER LIGHT ENERGY which is a very complex field with no standard protocols or solid evidence that this therapy does anything for Tinnitus.
Yet, many helpless people run to Dr, Wilden, like Dr. Shemesh, hoping that the amazing colored rays of light will cure them from anything that bothers them..!
It's a funny thing about human nature - when people do not fully understand the mechanisms of a medical modality, like Low-Level-Laser, and the manufacturers pump-up miss-leading information on the internet with fake testimonials, then everyone gets on line and they say - "take me I'm next - here is my money."
My conversation exchange with Dr. Wilden (DR. W) is below, copied and pasted with my questions in italics. Make your own judgments!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..............................................................................
ME: I went through your impressive website. Could you please tell me where I can read about clinical studies comparing your therapy with placebo in double blind study? I checked Medline and found nothing.
DR. W: Please go for this to www.dasgesundeohr.de and there
also to the new texts.
I worked out my therapy in my own office and I published all my
results over years with the colleagues of the universities.
Out of this reason I am not in Medline. You have to be convinced
from my information by comparing them with your individual situation.
My basic work is published in Pubmed.
For a more individual advice you are welcome to send to me your audiogram
and your questioner.
ME: You told me that you published your results with your colleagues at universities. Please email me the links under which your colleagues proved that your therapy is more potent than placebo. Were there any double blind studies done?
DR. W: go for this to www.dr-wilden.de
Until now nobody on the universities is interested on independent study.
Also behind laser is until now no so strong financial power like behind the hearing aids.
Please go for this to www.dasgesundeohr.de there to the new texts and see my later
I wrote to about 52 universities.
ME: You told me that you published with your colleagues in academia. Please send me links of those articles; they do not have to be a huge clinical trials. I understand that hearing industry is not interested in laser. Your website is impressive, but I cannot find the proof that your method works.
DR. W: No answer
ME: Maybe I was not clear enough in the last letter. Let me paraphrase my question:
When I go on Medline and type "Wilden Tinnitus" I get no results.
I understand that hearing aid industry might not be interested in laser work, but I wonder why laser industry is not interested.
Most of all, case reports, medical series or review articles need no funding, you can do them alone. So please send me the links to published case reports, medical series or review articles that you wrote about Laser and Tinnitus.
I am trying to read them but cannot find them. I must be doing something wrong.
DR W: all important information I have to give to the public you
can find on my websites. If you want to have more information
you have to make for yourself an overview of all the literature
regarding LLLT worldwide.
If you want to have information about the ears this you will
only find on www.dasgesundeohr.de worldwide.
ME: Thank you very much for your reply.
I am reading your web site, it is too much for me to read.
Please tell me where is a peer reviewed proof that your approach works? Please state page so I do not have to read entire document.
DR. W: if you want to know you have to read all my information.
I have no influence what Medline is publishing.
My scientific papers you find on www.dr-wilden.de
ME: Where on your website is there a proof that your method works? Please tell me what page I should read.
DR W: No answer
ME: Medline would not publish paper under your name if:
1) You misspelled your name
2) Your colleagues from University centers "forgot" to add your name
3) You actually did not publish anything in peer reviewed journals.
So which of the above three categories refers to you?
As you probably know, Medline would not track your work if it was published as a book or website. Please remember that anyone can publish anything in a book or website, because there is no control what someone publishes there. (There is no editorial board). For example, I work in financial industry. I can put on my website anything I want, but this is no proof that I know finance. I can also say that I played violin beautifully as a child and that I read Shakespeare dramas in my twenties. This is fine, but has nothing to do with my skills in finance. (I was alluding to the fact that you received the award for the best scientific study at the 2nd World Congress of WALT. This is fine, but says nothing about your skills to cure Tinnitus).
The same principle also applies for medicine. Please let me know where the proof is.
DR. W I recommend to you to try other therapies to solve your problems. Please understand that I cannot longer answer your emails because I need my time to help the sufferers which really need help.
ME: Thank you very much for your reply.
I understand that you are trying to help sufferers that really need help.
But sufferers that really need help also need the proof that your therapy works.
I am surprised that official medicine does not know for your work. I am surprised that you published nothing in peer reviewed journal. I am also surprised that you refuse to answer on what page of your website there is a proof that your method indeed works.
The only logical answer seems to be that you are scamming people for money? Please tell me if I am wrong.
I would be very happy if you can give me some evidence, instead of circumferential talking.
DR. W: No answer
ME: I read posts about you on tinnitustalk.com
People are saying that your therapy has no scientific basis and that you are only stealing money from the suffering. Is this correct?
DR. W: I am not responsible what strange people are thinking or not thinking.
You have to find out by yourself what value my cost free information are having for you.
ME: Please send me the links to the clinical trials that compared your therapy to placebo. I cannot find out by myself, as you suggested.
But, since you have been doing this for a long time, I am sure you allowed clinical testing. Like double blind study, comparing x number of patients that received therapy with real laser, and same number that received therapy with fake laser. During testing neither you nor patient knew who received real and who fake laser. Than independent person see if there is any difference. Very simple, correct?
Those clinical studies are not expensive. They also do not need FDA approval.
I cannot find out myself if your therapy is any better than placebo. You know that well.
Please email me links to published clinical studies.
DR W: No answer. No proof was ever furnished. Dr. Wilden stopped communicating with me and did not answer any additional questions.
I started my discussion as a new thread because many people at tinnitus talk approach this subject in the dark with preconceived notions. Many people want to convince themselves that there is a "magical cure" in the application of an instrument that Dr. Wilden promotes. Yet to this date, Dr. Wilden has avoided any involvement in clinical studies, which can easily test and determine effectiveness of treatment. Therefore, I am asking for any solid proof that "LLLT" therapy works significantly better than placebo.
I was in correspondence with Dr. Lutz Wilden for several weeks about 10 months ago. I asked him repeatedly for medical proof (clinical studies, random trials, etc.) that indicated his alternative method indeed does work. Dr. Wilden talked a lot about clinical research that he did with his colleagues, but failed to furnish any degree of proof.
A friend of mine from Eastern Europe visited Dr. Wilden, he paid him lots of money for Laser Treatments but received no relief. My friend met about half a dozen other patients at Dr. Wilden's clinic. He contacted all of them one year later and no one felt better about their Tinnitus.
Personally speaking, Dr. Wilden reminds me of a well-known Israeli scammer Dr. Shemesh, therefore I decided not to give my hard-earned money to another con artist.
All scammers have one thing in common: they fail to publish any "statistical findings" and hide their "therapy protocol" from legitimate clinical research. They absolutely know that their "treatment" does not work, but they greed for the money anyway. Yes, they do know that they are stealing money!!! All of them appear as "charismatic, kind and compassionate" – of course only if you pay them.
The most commonly used excuses to explain why legitimate clinical research has not yet been done for their treatments are:
1) They claim to use "natural ingredients" which – they say - do not need research because "they are natural, not chemical" (Herbs, Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids, Enzymes, etc. for Tinnitus). In reality, however, any substance, produced in a laboratory or in nature does have a chemical formula and its efficacy can be proved or disproved by double blind placebo study.
2) The "hearing aid industry" does not support my research; expressed by Dr. Wilden. The Israeli Army has "classified my treatment data as a military secret"; expressed by Dr. Shemesh. In reality, however, there is no need for hearing aid industry to support the research of Dr Wilden. Dr. Wilden should publish his ideas in peer review journals, and clinical trials will follow without any expense to Dr. Wilden. In addition, the "military secret" excuse is only a lie created by Dr. Shemesh – Tinnitus therapy has never been classified:
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/low-level-laser-therapy-lllt-for-tinnitus-—-efficacy-debate.7650/page-11#post-88700
3) Both Dr. Wilden and Dr. Shemesh claim they are "too busy helping patients and do not want to waste their precious time to find out whether their therapy indeed works". In reality, both of them are only too busy scheduling cash-paying patients (customers) and do not want research faculty to determine that their "therapy" is ineffective – no better than placebo. This would ruin their business.
Many Tinnitus sufferers are emotionally drawn into the fascination about LASER LIGHT ENERGY which is a very complex field with no standard protocols or solid evidence that this therapy does anything for Tinnitus.
Yet, many helpless people run to Dr, Wilden, like Dr. Shemesh, hoping that the amazing colored rays of light will cure them from anything that bothers them..!
It's a funny thing about human nature - when people do not fully understand the mechanisms of a medical modality, like Low-Level-Laser, and the manufacturers pump-up miss-leading information on the internet with fake testimonials, then everyone gets on line and they say - "take me I'm next - here is my money."
My conversation exchange with Dr. Wilden (DR. W) is below, copied and pasted with my questions in italics. Make your own judgments!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..............................................................................
ME: I went through your impressive website. Could you please tell me where I can read about clinical studies comparing your therapy with placebo in double blind study? I checked Medline and found nothing.
DR. W: Please go for this to www.dasgesundeohr.de and there
also to the new texts.
I worked out my therapy in my own office and I published all my
results over years with the colleagues of the universities.
Out of this reason I am not in Medline. You have to be convinced
from my information by comparing them with your individual situation.
My basic work is published in Pubmed.
For a more individual advice you are welcome to send to me your audiogram
and your questioner.
ME: You told me that you published your results with your colleagues at universities. Please email me the links under which your colleagues proved that your therapy is more potent than placebo. Were there any double blind studies done?
DR. W: go for this to www.dr-wilden.de
Until now nobody on the universities is interested on independent study.
Also behind laser is until now no so strong financial power like behind the hearing aids.
Please go for this to www.dasgesundeohr.de there to the new texts and see my later
I wrote to about 52 universities.
ME: You told me that you published with your colleagues in academia. Please send me links of those articles; they do not have to be a huge clinical trials. I understand that hearing industry is not interested in laser. Your website is impressive, but I cannot find the proof that your method works.
DR. W: No answer
ME: Maybe I was not clear enough in the last letter. Let me paraphrase my question:
When I go on Medline and type "Wilden Tinnitus" I get no results.
I understand that hearing aid industry might not be interested in laser work, but I wonder why laser industry is not interested.
Most of all, case reports, medical series or review articles need no funding, you can do them alone. So please send me the links to published case reports, medical series or review articles that you wrote about Laser and Tinnitus.
I am trying to read them but cannot find them. I must be doing something wrong.
DR W: all important information I have to give to the public you
can find on my websites. If you want to have more information
you have to make for yourself an overview of all the literature
regarding LLLT worldwide.
If you want to have information about the ears this you will
only find on www.dasgesundeohr.de worldwide.
ME: Thank you very much for your reply.
I am reading your web site, it is too much for me to read.
Please tell me where is a peer reviewed proof that your approach works? Please state page so I do not have to read entire document.
DR. W: if you want to know you have to read all my information.
I have no influence what Medline is publishing.
My scientific papers you find on www.dr-wilden.de
ME: Where on your website is there a proof that your method works? Please tell me what page I should read.
DR W: No answer
ME: Medline would not publish paper under your name if:
1) You misspelled your name
2) Your colleagues from University centers "forgot" to add your name
3) You actually did not publish anything in peer reviewed journals.
So which of the above three categories refers to you?
As you probably know, Medline would not track your work if it was published as a book or website. Please remember that anyone can publish anything in a book or website, because there is no control what someone publishes there. (There is no editorial board). For example, I work in financial industry. I can put on my website anything I want, but this is no proof that I know finance. I can also say that I played violin beautifully as a child and that I read Shakespeare dramas in my twenties. This is fine, but has nothing to do with my skills in finance. (I was alluding to the fact that you received the award for the best scientific study at the 2nd World Congress of WALT. This is fine, but says nothing about your skills to cure Tinnitus).
The same principle also applies for medicine. Please let me know where the proof is.
DR. W I recommend to you to try other therapies to solve your problems. Please understand that I cannot longer answer your emails because I need my time to help the sufferers which really need help.
ME: Thank you very much for your reply.
I understand that you are trying to help sufferers that really need help.
But sufferers that really need help also need the proof that your therapy works.
I am surprised that official medicine does not know for your work. I am surprised that you published nothing in peer reviewed journal. I am also surprised that you refuse to answer on what page of your website there is a proof that your method indeed works.
The only logical answer seems to be that you are scamming people for money? Please tell me if I am wrong.
I would be very happy if you can give me some evidence, instead of circumferential talking.
DR. W: No answer
ME: I read posts about you on tinnitustalk.com
People are saying that your therapy has no scientific basis and that you are only stealing money from the suffering. Is this correct?
DR. W: I am not responsible what strange people are thinking or not thinking.
You have to find out by yourself what value my cost free information are having for you.
ME: Please send me the links to the clinical trials that compared your therapy to placebo. I cannot find out by myself, as you suggested.
But, since you have been doing this for a long time, I am sure you allowed clinical testing. Like double blind study, comparing x number of patients that received therapy with real laser, and same number that received therapy with fake laser. During testing neither you nor patient knew who received real and who fake laser. Than independent person see if there is any difference. Very simple, correct?
Those clinical studies are not expensive. They also do not need FDA approval.
I cannot find out myself if your therapy is any better than placebo. You know that well.
Please email me links to published clinical studies.
DR W: No answer. No proof was ever furnished. Dr. Wilden stopped communicating with me and did not answer any additional questions.
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