Tinnitus and laser therapy

Name of treatment

Laser therapy (low-level laser therapy; medium-level laser therapy; Tinnitool; EarLaser; soft laser)

Type of treatment

Physical intervention

Claims for treatment

Reduces/eliminates the tinnitus percept. 

How treatment is delivered

Low-level laser is targeted at the ear/cochlear either behind the ear or through the ear canal.

Potential negative consequences

Generally regarded as safe due to low power (similar output to a laser pointer).

Evidence offered:

Papers available

<20

Conclusions drawn

Low-level laser therapy is no better than placebo[1] [2]

Medium level laser therapy cannot be regarded as an effective treatment of chronic tinnitus[3]

Quality of evidence[4]

B

Does the BTA recommend this treatment?

No

BTA opinion on this treatment:

There is evidence that this treatment does not work. There is no plausible mechanism for this treatment to work.

Would the BTA support further studies into this treatment?

No

Verdict: Safety - is this treatment harmful?

Generally regarded as safe

Verdict: Efficacy - does this treatment work?

Evidence of no effect