Abstract
Objective: Large numbers of medicine and methods have been used to alleviate the severity of tinnitus, which had little or no help. A trail of zinc and laser treatment was conducted to evaluate their values in the reduction of tinnitus symptoms
Study Design: This is a randomized, prospective, uncontrolled study
Materials and Methods: This study included 60 patients suffering from bilateral tinnitus of variable duration. Our patients were divided randomly into 3 (zinc, laser and combined) groups. All subjects in this study were submitted to basic audiological evaluation, detailed history of tinnitus, tinnitus matching tests and tinnitus questionnaire using the developed Arabic version of tinnitus handicap inventory (THI). Zinc group was given zinc sulfate 220 mg/day for 3 months, laser group was treated with laser therapy 3 sessions/ week and lastly combined group was given both kinds of therapy for the same duration
Results: The loudness of tinnitus decreased in all the study groups, but it was not statistically significant. The results of the questionnaire, however, showed a significant improvement in the experience of tinnitus in all study groups, particularly in combined therapy group Conclusions: combined therapy is more effective than single therapy in the management of patients with tinnitus