Antioxidant therapy in the elderly with tinnitus.

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 (120mg/day), α-lipoic acid (60mg/day)+vitamin C (600mg/day), papaverine hydrochloride (100mg/day)+vitamin E (400mg/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.