Background: Persistent tinnitus can result in serious problems and morbidity, especially at the psychological and socio-professional levels. Although many treatments exist for the resolution of tinnitus symptomatology, total eradication of symptom rarely occurs.
The aim of the work: To compare the effectiveness of two new promising techniques in treating tinnitus; low level laser therapy versus intra tympanic dexamethasone injection.
Patients and Methods: A comparative randomized clinical trial included 40 patients suffering from tinnitus for more than 6 months. They were divided into two groups randomly with every other patient consecutively; group [1] included 20 patients received steroids injection [0.5 ml of 4 mg\ml dexamethasone] on six sessions twice weekly, and group [2] included 20 patients who obtained low level laser therapy transmeataly with wave length 650 nm and laser output 5 mW for 7 sessions. Assessment of treatment included tinnitus handicap inventory [THI], visual analogue scale of loudness [VAS-L], pure tone audiometry and tympanometry for evaluation before and after therapy.
Results: THI after treatment was lowered in group 2 more than group 1, but this result did not reach statistical significance [P=0.076]. Quality of life in group 2 after treatment was statistically significantly better than in group 1 [better results after treatment as regard questions assessing sleeping at night, interfering with daily work and concentration].
Conclusion: Low level laser therapy is more effective and safer than intratympanic steroid injection in treating chronic tinnitus with duration more than 6 months.