I recently started taking Risedronate 35 mg weekly. It's been around 8 weeks since I began.
I believe it has helped calm my tinnitus somewhat. It has not gone entirely but I no longer get periods where the tinnitus is extremely loud, it's much more stable. I go over and explain some of my reasoning below. It has done nothing to improve my hearing.
I have otosclerosis and recently noticed a massive drop in hearing, and subsequently was diagnosed with cochlear otosclerosis. This means I have a degree of sensorineural hearing loss caused by otosclerosis. It's not completely understood why this happen but the short of some of the theories is the bone remodelling releases toxic compounds into the cochlear fluid and bone damaging various neural components. This drug works by inhibiting the remodelling processes namely osteoclasts, which is why it's popular for patients with osteoporsis.
The idea to take Risedronate was not to improve my hearing or tinnitus, but only to try and preserve the gradual hearing loss. I don't believe that has worked, but I did notice a side effect and that was the stabilization of tinnitus which has happened in the past 3-4 weeks and was not immediate.
Additionally I used to get very strange types of tinnitus after exercising followed with muffled hearing loss 7-8 days after, only to return to normal after a few weeks if I stopped exercising entirely. If there's one thing I refuse otosclerosis to take from me is my overall fitness. I have accepted I will one day be deaf. Since starting Risedronate, I have done high intensity workouts and have noticed little effect to my tinnitus. However, I will continue to monitor as it is early days.
How long will I continue? The side effects for this drug are pretty worrisome, risk increases the longer I take it. I am also self-prescribing it with no oversight with a doctor. I would like to continue, however, I need to have a follow up at some point with my GP.
It's very important to note when taking this drug to follow instructions to maximize bioavailability, pharmacology of this drug is clearly outlined. The last thing you want is to take the drug and for it not to be properly absorbed.