Somatic modulation of tinnitus: test reliability and results after repetitive muscle contraction training

We sought to study the reliability of tinnitus modulation by muscle contractions and to observe the effect of their prolonged repetition.

Thirty-eight patients with tinnitus underwent 9 maneuvers of muscle contractions in test and retest situations. After a 2-month training period of repeating the maneuvers, tinnitus modulation and daily perception were evaluated.

There was no difference between the occurrence of tinnitus modulation in test (57.9%) and retest (63.2%) situations. After 2 months, the occurrence of modulation during the maneuvers was similar (55.3%), but a new pattern showed an increase in tinnitus improvement and a decrease in tinnitus worsening. The daily perception of tinnitus was unchanged.

Maneuvers of head and neck muscle contractions evoked tinnitus modulation in a frequent and reliable manner. Also, the repetition of such maneuvers for 2 months altered the pattern of modulation.