Background: Tinnitus is one of the most prevalent causes of the patients to the ear and hearing clinics that despite widespread effort of physicians and researchers all over the world, yet no comprehensive and low complication treatment have been provided

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 Professor, Department of Otolarhngology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Otolaryngologist, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

3 Medical Student, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

Background: Tinnitus is one of the most prevalent causes of the patients to the ear and hearing clinics that despite widespread effort of physicians and researchers all over the world, yet no comprehensive and low complication treatment have been provided for it. This study aimed to offer a new method to treat tinnitus using transcutaneous electrical stimulation.Method: This was an interventional experimental method study in Borujerd, Iran on 100 referral patients to the ENT (Ear Nose & Throat) clinic while complaining about drug-resistant permanent severe tinnitus. After complete audiometry examination and evaluating the cause of tinnitus, these patients underwent transcutaneous electrical stimulation by transcutaneus electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device. To do so, an electrode covered by damp cloth with 12 mm diameter was placed on the ear of the patients and electrical stimulation with 150 kHz frequency was done for 10 minutes. This was done for 5 consecutive days. The data were analyzed using SPSS software.Results: In this study, 70 out of 100 patients at least experienced two times of tinnitus for a few hours. Ten patients (10%) announced that they have achieved complete remission i.e. their tinnitus stopped completely. Twenty patients (20%) also stated that TENS device had not influenced on their tinnitus.Conclusion: Young people with short history of tinnitus with high frequency would be suitable candidates for implementing TENS. However, using TENS seems logical for those who were helpless due to tinnitus and the conventional therapies could not effect on it.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 28, Issue 118 - Serial Number 118
November and December 2011
Pages 1261-1266

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History

  • Receive Date: 19 March 2011
  • Revise Date: 08 May 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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