Background. Several remedial modalities for the treatment of
tinnitus have been proposed, but an effective standard treatment is still to be confirmed. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of
low-level laser therapy on
tinnitus accompanied by
noise-induced hearing loss. Methods. This was a double-blind randomized clinical trial on subjects suffering from
tinnitus accompanied by
noise-induced hearing loss. The study intervention was 20 sessions of
low-level laser therapy every other day, 20 minutes each session.
Tinnitus was assessed by three methods (visual analog scale,
tinnitus handicap inventory, and
tinnitus loudness) at baseline, immediately and 3 months after the intervention. Results. All subjects were male workers with age range of 30-51 years. The mean
tinnitus duration was 1.85 ± 0.78 years. All three measurement methods have shown improved values after
laser therapy compared with the placebo both immediately and 3 months
after treatment.
Laser therapy revealed a U-shaped efficacy throughout the course of follow-up. Nonresponse rate of the intervention was 57% and 70% in the two assessment time points, respectively. Conclusion. This study found
low-level laser therapy to be effective in alleviating
tinnitus in patients with
noise-induced hearing loss, although this effect has faded after 3 months of follow-up. This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand clinical trials registry with identifier ACTRN12612000455864).