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.