A review of alternative treatments for tinnitus

Abstract

According to a recent review of 69 randomised controlled trials of tinnitus treatment, none of the conventional methods was considered well established in terms of providing replicable long‐term reduction of tinnitus impact in excess of placebo effects. The search for new, more effective treatments continues and many patients have turned their attention to complementary treatments. In this review, we have summarised the evidence available from 23 randomised placebo‐controlled trials on the effectiveness of alternative treatments for tinnitus including Ginkgo biloba, acupuncture, laser treatment, ultrasound, ear‐canal magnets, electromagnetic therapy, homeopathy and hypnotherapy. Our review has excluded treatments which cannot be placebo controlled like yoga, t'ai chi and various forms of psychological treatment such as meditation which could also have significant benefits for patients. Some subjective beneficial effects were found for hypnotherapy

• tinnitus
• complementary therapy