Manganese and Lipoflavonoid Plus® to Treat Tinnitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Several tinnitus sufferers suggest that manganese has been helpful with their tinnitus. Purpose: We tested this in a controlled experiment where participants were committed to taking manganese and Lipoflavonoid Plus® to treat their tinnitus. Research Design: Randomized controlled trial. Study Sample: 40 participants were randomized to receive both manganese and Lipoflavonoid Plus® for 6 months, or Lipoflavonoid Plus® only (as the control). Data Collection and Analysis: Pre- and postmeasures were obtained with the Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire, Tinnitus Primary Functions Questionnaire, and tinnitus loudness and annoyance ratings. An audiologist performed the audiogram, the tinnitus loudness match, and minimal masking level. Results: Twelve participants were dropped out of the study because of the side effects or were lost to follow-up. In the manganese group, 1 participant (out of 12) showed a decrease in the questionnaires, and another showed a decrease in the loudness and annoyance ratings. No participants from the control group (total 16) showed a decrease in the questionnaires ratings. Two participants in the control group reported a loudness decrement and one reported an annoyance decrement. Conclusions: We were not able to conclude that either manganese or Lipoflavonoid Plus® is an effective treatment for tinnitus.

Alternating Current at the Eardrum for Tinnitus Reduction

The effectiveness of alternating current (AC) stimulus on tinnitus was investigated in 10 patients who reported constant tinnitus in at least one ear. Patients were first screened to determine their responsiveness to electrical stimulation in relation to tinnitus reduction. The responsive patients were then stimulated for a treatment period of at least 10 rain, during which time the tinnitus was measured. The AC stimuli (62 Hz to 8000 Hz) were applied to the eardrum of the patients via a specially constructed electrode. Psychophysical measurements (pitch matching, loudness matching, minimum masking level, and loudness and annoyance scaling) of the patient's tinnitus were made before and after electrical stimulation. Minimal masking level was determined and tinnitus scaling was performed during the treatment period. Electrical stimulation was effective in tinnitus reduction in 5 of the 10 patients. These 5 patients reported that the loudness and the annoyance of their tinnitus decreased during the treatment period. These observations were consistent with psychophysical measures of contralateral broadband noise masking. Poststimulation reduction in tinnitus varied in duration among individuals from 40 s to about 4 hr.