Antioxidant therapy in the elderly with tinnitus^{☆ ☆☆}

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION:

Several approaches have been tried for the treatment of tinnitus, from cognitive-behavioral therapies and sound enrichment to medication. In this context, antioxidants, widely used in numerous areas of medicine, appear to represent a promising approach for the control of this symptom, which often is poorly controlled.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effects of antioxidant therapy for tinnitus in a group of elderly patients.

METHODS:

Prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The sample consisted of 58 subjects aged 60 years or older, with a complaint of tinnitus associated with sensorineural hearing loss. These individuals completed the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire before and after six months of therapy. The treatment regimens were: Ginkgo biloba dry extract (120 mg/day), a-lipoic acid (60 mg/day) + vitamin C (600 mg/day), papaverine hydrochloride (100 mg/day) + vitamin E (400 mg/day), and placebo.

RESULTS:

There was no statistically significant difference between THI by degree (p = 0.441) and by score (p = 0.848) before and after treatment.

CONCLUSION:

There was no benefit from the use of antioxidant agents for tinnitus in this sample.

Keywords:
Tinnitus; Antioxidants; Aged