Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Tinnitus

Objective: To assess the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on tinnitus.

Methodology: A Medline search from 1960-2007 yielding 22 studies.

Results: No significant effect could be demonstrated in four prospective studies. Retrospective studies indicate greater improvement in tinnitus in acute cases (49-85%) compared with tinnitus episodes exceeding three months (34-38%). One study, however, showed significantly more improvement in patients with positive expectations before therapy (60.3%) compared with those with negative expectations (19%).

Conclusions: There are no significant data about the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation for tinnitus, but there are indications of a better effect in acute cases. However, a major psychological component and a low risk of enhancement of the tinnitus should be considered.