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Idiopathic Subjective Tinnitus Treated by Amitriptyline Hydrochloride/Biofeedback
The International Tinnitus Journal
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Biofeedback (BF) improved tinnitus during activity for 43.5% of patients. Amitriptyline hydrochloride (AT) offered subjective improvement at rest for 27.5%, but BF showed better results during rest for tinnitus disturbance.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurology
- Psychology
Background:
- Subjective tinnitus (ST) is a common, unclear otologic symptom associated with various hearing losses.
- ST can originate anywhere in the auditory pathway and requires thorough evaluation to identify underlying causes.
- Current treatments for ST yield limited success in reducing tinnitus and its impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of biofeedback (BF) and amitriptyline hydrochloride (AT) for subjective/idiopathic tinnitus (SIT).
Main Methods:
- A randomized study involving 225 subjects with SIT.
- Treatment modalities included biofeedback (BF) and amitriptyline hydrochloride (AT) over 10 weeks.
- Patient-reported outcomes were assessed for tinnitus improvement during activity and at rest.
Main Results:
- Biofeedback improved tinnitus during activity in 43.5% of patients.
- Amitriptyline hydrochloride improved tinnitus at rest in 27.5% and during activity in 15.8% of patients.
- Biofeedback demonstrated a significantly better effect on tinnitus disturbance during rest compared to amitriptyline hydrochloride.
Conclusions:
- Biofeedback is effective in managing tinnitus, particularly during periods of rest.
- Amitriptyline hydrochloride may be considered for tinnitus treatment in low doses to minimize side effects.
- Neither treatment modality resulted in objective reduction of tinnitus loudness.