Successful amelioration of tinnitus in a stroke patient by low-dose gabapentin

Bilaterally progressive tinnitus and hearing impairment occurred in a hypertensive patient shortly after an episode of right ganglionic hemorrhage. Audiometric tests showed a mixed sensorineural and conduction hearing loss. When low-dose gabapentin was administrated for the pre-existing postherpetic thoracic neuralgia, the tinnitus dramatically improved but recurred after discontinuation of the drug. Hearing function did not change. In view of a controversy of gabapentin and tinnitus in previous trials, the findings in this patient support that low-dose gabapentin benefits the subgroup of tinnitus patients with secondary contributing factors, such as stroke.