Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.
2013 May;56(5):266-277. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2013.56.5.266.
Current Trends in the Treatment of Subjective Tinnitus at University Hospitals in Korea
- Affiliations
-
- 1Soree Ear Clinic West Center, Seoul, Korea.
- 2Department of Otolaryngology, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Korea.
- 3Department of Otothinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 4Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- 5Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 6Soree Ear Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
- 7Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University, Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- 8Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
- 9Department of Otolaryngology, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, Korea.
- 10Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.
- 11Department of Otolaryngology, Inje University, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- 12Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Korea University, Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Korea.
- 13Department of Otolaryngology, Inje University, Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
- 14Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea.
- 15Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea. birdynec@kangwon.ac.kr
- KMID: 2277754
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2013.56.5.266
Abstract
- BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The effective management of subjective tinnitus should start with an accurate diagnosis based on an appropriate classification. Since there is no gold standard for managing subjective tinnitus, clinicians can select from various treatment options after considering the multifactorial etiology of tinnitus. This study surveyed otologists at university hospitals in Korea to identify the treatments used for subjective tinnitus and to obtain basic information on evidence-based medicine for treating tinnitus.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
A five-major-item questionnaire on current tinnitus treatments was sent by email to otologists at 37 university hospitals in Korea; 30 (81.1%) replied.
RESULTS
The mean incidence of tinnitus in otology outpatient clinics was 22.7% (range 10-40%). Common treatments were oral pharmacological therapy, regular counseling with tinnitus retraining or cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aids. Tinnitus retraining therapy and hearing aids were considered the most effective when the visual analog scale scores were 7.0 and 6.6, respectively, and considered safe when the scores were 9.9 and 9.3. Ginkgo biloba and benzodiazepines were the most frequently prescribed drugs, although their reported effectiveness was questionable. Intra-tympanic steroid injection was not considered effective (3.8) or safe (6.3). Somatosensory-based treatments such as treating neck muscle or temporomandibular joint disorders were also used to relieve a subgroup of somatic tinnitus.
CONCLUSION
Our results showed trends similar to those in other countries, yet we have not reached the level of evidence-based clinical practice due to the lack of reliable and effective treatment options. Further research on tinnitus-treatments is needed, particularly about randomized controlled studies with blinding.
