ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tinnitus is one of the most widespread and disturbing disorders of the auditory system. However, little is known about the physiological mechanism that causes tinnitus and there is no definite treatment. The aim of this study has been to evaluate the effect of Lasix-Vitamin and Carbogen inhalation therapy for tinnitus treatment and to determine their appropriate indications. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: From May 2004 through April 2005, 178 patients with subjective tinnitus were treated in two groups. One group was treated with Lasix-Vitamin and Carbogen inhalation therapy with oral Vitamin and Ginkgo biloba extract. The other group was treated with oral Vitamin and Ginkgo biloba extract at the Chung-Ang University Hospital. We compared the effectiveness of Lasix-Vitamin and Carbogen inhalation therapy for tinnitus on audiogram, tinnitogram, questionnare with that of other group. RESULTS: There was no difference between the oral Vitamin and Ginkgo biloba extract therapy group and Lasix-Vitamin and Carbogen inhalation therapy with oral Vitamin and Ginkgo biloba extract therapy group with respect to age, sex, initial Tinnitus handicap inventory score and tinnitus characteristics. Whereas tinnitus was improved in 25 (31.3%) of 80 patients who were treated with oral Vitamin and Ginkgo biloba extract, subjective tinnitus was improved in 69 (70.4%) of 98 patients who were treated with Lasix-Vitamin and Carbogen inhalation therapy in addition to oral Vitamin and Ginkgo biloba extract. The effect of each therapy was significantly different between two groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We suggest that intravenous Lasix-Vitamin-Dextran and Carbogen inhalation therapy be used in addition to oral Vitamin and Ginkgo biloba extract as an effective treatment for subjective tinnitus.