TINNITUS TREATMENT AND USE OF BENZODIAZEPINES.

BACKGROUND

In Europe, 14.7% of the population suffer from chronic tinnitus. Regarding pharmacological treatment of tinnitus, there is currently no evidence-based protocol recommendation. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy is the only effective method available in specialized multidisciplinary centers.

SUBJECT AND METHOD: By analyzing 116 patients who underwent rehabilitation in a multidisciplinary audiophonology center, we quantified the use of benzodiazepines before and after treatment.

RESULTS

Among patients suffering from chronic tinnitus, there is an over-prescription of benzodiazepines, which can be reduced through proper care.

CONCLUSION

Better awareness among frontline healthcare professionals about treatment in specialized multidisciplinary centers should be reinforced in order to enable quicker referrals and avoid therapeutic wandering or inappropriate use of benzodiazepines.