Tinnitus is hearing a sound in the ear or in the head in the absence of external acoustic stimulation.

This Cochrane review assessed whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in managing this condition. (more…)

As part of the Charms & Harms series in the Journal of Primary Care, Dr. Joanne Barnes, from the University of Auckland, in New Zealand distilled the evidence.

Here’s what we know. (more…)

The Mayo Clinic Health Letter makes the connection between static magnets and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

You’ll have to subscribe to read the whole article, but it’s interesting that Mayo places both treatments in the same category. (more…)

Recent studies suggest that tinnitus — a ringing or similar sensation in the ears — is caused by a rewiring of nerves in the auditory cortex (see drawing). These nerves no longer respond to intended frequencies but do become sensitive to neighboring frequencies, which leads to tinnitus.

Researchers from Germany “notched” music so it contained no energy in the same frequency range as the individual’s tinnitus frequency. (more…)

 Many tinnitus sufferers believe their condition will not respond to psychological treatments.

In December 2008, researchers from Philipps University of Marburg, in Germany reported a positive study. (more…)

There’s some supporting evidence in animals, but what about in humans? (more…)

It’s is the third time this year the FDA has identified a “natural” product sold via the Internet for the treatment of impotence (erectile dysfunction) that was adulterated with the prescription drug tadalafil (Cialis). (more…)

Yes, but not in the way you might think. (more…)

Meniere’s disease is characterized by deafness, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and nausea. Because the precise cause is unknown, most treatments are limited to treating symptoms.

Here’s a summary of CAM options from a review in The Internet Journal of Otorhinolaryngology.

(more…)

Vertigo is a dizzying sensation of tilting or being in tilting or spinning surroundings.

Vertigoheel is a homeopathic product. It contains Ambra grisea, Anamirta cocculus, Conium maculatum, and Petroleum rectificatum.

Recently, a review of its effectiveness was published.

(more…)

In April 2006 Schwabe Pharma (Australia) launched a marketing campaign promoting Tebonin for “tinnitus and vertigo relief.” Tebonin is an extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves called EGB761.

Now, the British Medical Journal reports that a federal court in Australia has granted an injunction sought by the company to temporarily suppress a report by a consumer watchdog group called AusPharm Consumer Health Watch that is critical of this product.

The advertisement for Tebonin states that it has shown “through clinical research to be an effective treatment for a range of conditions relating to microcirculation including tinnitus, vertigo, peripheral circulation and cognitive function.”

It continues, “Tebonin optimizes the flow properties of the blood through capillaries increasing the amount of oxygen supplied to all organs, tissues and individual cells throughout the human body, effectively reducing the amount of free radicals within cells and enabling optimum cell function.”

A detailed review published in The Journal of the American Botanical Association makes no mention of EGB research on tinnitus or vertigo.

7/13/06 21:36 JR