Treatment of severe tinnitus

In 1995-96 we selected a group of 26 patients who were suffering from sever e invalidating idiopathic tinnitus (IT) in order to evaluate the efficacy o f rehabilitation and some alternative therapies. All patients were assessed thoroughly by means of audiology and radiology regarding any objective cau se for the symptom. In order to help patients control their symptom by incr easing knowledge and adding supportive elements, they were given basic educ ation (presentations of the anatomy and physiology of the ear and hearing s ystem, psychological and social aspects of IT, guided and non-guided group discussions, relaxation therapy, physiotherapy, music therapy) for 4 months , comprising one 2-h session bi-weekly. This type of group therapy was foun d to be extremely helpful, although no objective evaluation revealed effect s on IT sensation (VAS) or psychometris measures (SLC-90). In a second limb of the study, the same patients attended a 6-day intensive course in a spa . The purpose was to evaluate the possible usefulness of the widely recomme nded alternative therapies for IT. All patients had an opportunity to sampl e the treatments. Six months later only a few had tried any of these treatm ents, but all reported that the lessons were the most helpful in associatio n with supportive group discussions. The results indicated that none of the se therapies can be recommended, based on rational medical practise.