Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in tinnitus with normal hearing in association with combined treatment

Tinnitus is a phantom perception of sound in the absence of overt acoustic stimulation. The focus of our attention is a combined therapy of tinnitus. In this prospective study (2013-2014) we evaluated the data of normal-hearing patients with tinnitus treated with various treatment modalities. In Group 1 we evaluated the data of 84 patients/124 ears after six weeks of treatment with betahistine dihydrochloride (72mg). In Group 2, we evaluated the data of 36 patients/55 ears unimproved from Group 1 who were then treated for six weeks with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy combined with gingko biloba extract (120mg). In Group 1, tinnitus disappeared in 9.7%, alleviated in 18.5% and improved overall in 28.2%. Average intensity of tinnitus before/after treatment was 37 decibels (dB)/33 dB. Tinnitus intensities after treatment are statistically significantly lower (p=0.001) than the values before treatment. In Group 2 tinnitus disappeared in 5.4%, 36.4% achieved alleviation, and 41.8% showed overall improvement. The average intensity of tinnitus before/after treatment was 41dB/38dB. The values of tinnitus intensity after combined therapy are statistically significantly lower (p=0.046). We have shown that both methods treatment of tinnitus are statistically significant. HBO2 therapy was recommended for the general public.