Tinnitus: evaluation of biofeedback and stomatognathic treatment

Thirty-two patients with disabling tinnitus received stomatognathic treatment and biofeedback therapy according to a cross-over design. The evaluation of treatment outcomes showed some improvements at the group level: decrease of tinnitus intensity, mood improvement and reduction of clinical signs of dysfunction in the masticatory system. Qualitative observations indicated numerous positive changes in patients' emotional and cognitive orientation vis à vis tinnitus. Some possible predictors of positive treatment outcome were observed: comparatively low severity of tinnitus, normal hearing or compensated hearing loss, occlusal interferences, jaw fatigue, diurnal bruxism and fluctuations in tinnitus intensity. Left-sided tinnitus seemed to be a negative predictor of stomatognathic and biofeedback treatment outcome. Consequently, stomatognathic and biofeedback treatment seem to have some positive effects on subgroups of tinnitus patients.