Red Light Therapy for Tinnitus

Damaged blood vessels in the brain near or around the ear

Age related hearing loss

Clogged arteries around middle or inner ear

Laser energy, particularly in the red and near-infrared spectra, possesses the ability to penetrate tissue, stimulating mitochondria within cells to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy source for cellular processes.
Mitochondria serve as the cellular powerhouses, metabolizing fuel to generate ATP. Studies have indicated that exposure to low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can increase ATP production, potentially enhancing cellular metabolism and promoting tissue repair and regeneration, thereby mitigating various degenerative conditions.
In the context of ear diseases, low-intensity lasers have been found to induce changes in collagen tissue within the cochlea, particularly affecting the basement membrane. Additionally, LLLT demonstrates a beneficial effect on the recovery of cochlear hair cells following acute hair loss, thereby potentially increasing cell proliferation.
The photodynamic stimulation of hair cell mitochondria elicits a cascade of effects in the inner ear, including increased ATP and collagen synthesis, the release of growth factors, promotion of local blood flow, and activation of repair mechanisms.

Background: Tinnitus remains a perplexing symptom with an elusive etiology, lacking specific causative factors to date. Pharmacogenomics related to hearing disorders are yet to be elucidated, and there are currently no FDA-approved medications for tinnitus management. Treatment efficacy is inconsistent among idiopathic cases and virtually non-existent for refractory cases. Customized therapeutic approaches are urgently needed to address this clinical challenge. Our investigation delves into the potential of alternative and complementary interventions for individuals with idiopathic and refractory tinnitus.



Methods: Our pioneering study focused on assessing changes in Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores throughout treatment and up to 15 days post-treatment cessation. We explored novel transmeatal low-level laser therapy (LLLT) modalities employing light as a standalone treatment, as well as in combination with vacuum therapy (VT), ultrasound (US), Ginkgo biloba (GB), and flunarizine dihydrochloride (FD). Additionally, we compared these treatment modalities against laser puncture (LP), FD monotherapy, and GB monotherapy.



Results: Notable positive treatment responses, surpassing placebo effects, were observed with LP and transmeatal LLLT. Conversely, short-term antagonistic effects were noted with VT, US, GB, and FD when combined with LLLT. Enhanced treatment outcomes with transmeatal LLLT were evident with extended irradiation durations from 6 minutes to 15 minutes, employing 100-mW laser power at 660 nm. Moreover, sustained therapeutic benefits exceeding placebo effects were observed at the 15-day mark post-treatment, particularly with combined LLLT and VT, GB monotherapy, FD monotherapy, transmeatal LLLT monotherapy, or LP.



Conclusions: Laser puncture and transmeatal LLLT emerge as promising alternative interventions for individuals grappling with idiopathic and refractory tinnitus. Future investigations should delve into the long-term ramifications of LLLT in tinnitus management, along with exploring optimal dosimetry and wavelength parameters for transmeatal LLLT.