Evaluation of the customer satisfaction among users of the MedicLaser+TinniTool
IHA-GfK, Finn Andersen, Gabriele Deterville, ISO-certified (ISO-9001),
in accordance with the standards of Swiss-Interview
The IHA-GfK is the most renowned institut of market study in
Switzerland. The results given and statements made in this
presentation correspond 100% to the data collected and are fully
valid.
A total of 141 patients were interviewed, afther the treatement of
MedicLaser+TinniTool. The results are very success-promising, since
it can be assessed that other therapies known in the market are much
far from these values.
The Soft Laser TinniTool is used to treat tinnitus in 96% of cases.
56% do not know the cause of this complaint. The main causes of the
complaint were named as illness, stress and work, as well as serving
in the armed forces. 42% of the respondents had used the Soft Laser
TinniTool for 3 months. For 65% of those affected, the complaint had
been reduced by up to 25%, for 20% between 25% and 49% and, for 9%,
by 50%-100%. The longer the period of use, the greater the success
of the treatment. On a scale of 0 to 9, satisfaction with the Soft
Laser TinniTool achieved an over average of 4.8. Satisfaction with
the Soft Laser TinniTool increased in proportion to the length of
use as well as with the extent to which the complaint had been
reduced. 18% also used the Soft Laser Tinnitool for other forms of
treatment, such as for joints, acne, scars and arthrosis. The
satisfaction of those respondents who had also used the Soft Laser
TinniTool for other forms of treatment achieved overall a good score
of 6.38 on a scale of 0 to 9. Overall satisfaction with the Soft
Laser TinniTool increased with length of use. 54% of the respondents
would buy the Soft Laser TinniTool again. 67% would recommend the
Soft Laser TinniTool to others.
Double-blind study for low-level-laser-therapy in patients with chronic
cochlear dysfunction
Dr. Stefan Tauber et al., HNO-Universitätsklinik und Laser
Forschungslabor, Universität München
In a double-blind placebo-controllesd study low-level-laser light
was applied to 175 patients with chronic tinnitus. The patients
received 3 single irraditations with different diode-laser with
635-830 nm and dosages from 4 to 100 Joule/cm2.
Low-level laser therapy for chronic tinnitus has been well tolerated
without side effects. In general higher dosages caused to a stronger
attenuation of tinnitus.
In comparison to placebo:
- tinnitus loudnes is improved by laserlight of 780 nm
- tinnitus is attenuated by laserlight between 690 and 830 nm
concerning visual analogue scales of 5 different parameters.
- total tinnitus score has been improved by irradiation with
laserlight of 635 up to 830 nm.
Regarding those results, tinnitus-laser offers an innovative ans
secure way of effective tinnitus treatment in patients with chronic
tinnitus. Tinnitus-laser are a new therapeutic system for chronic
cochlear tinnitus without risk of side-effects.
Comprehensive therapy of patients suffering from Tinnitus
M. Prochazka, R. Tejnska
37 patients suffering from tinnitus (age 18-86 years) were treated
in three ways: 1. Rehabilitation: mobilisation, physical training,
physiotherapy. 2. Same as 1 but with placebo laser added. 3. Same as
1 but with functional laser added. Laser used was 830 nm 300 mW. 2-3
treatments per week were given, total 10 treatments. Treatment
protocol: 90 J/cm2 CW on mastoideus, 45 J/cm2 5 Hz on mastoideus, 50
J/cm2 CW on acoustic duct, 25 J/cm2 5 Hz on acoustic duct. Tebokan
Egb 761 ginko medication was added to treatment. Results were
classified as no effect/less than 50% relief/more than 50% relief/no
more tinnitus. The percent wise outcome for the three groups was:
1.29.4/44.1/17.6/8.9 2. 25.8/48.4/25.8/0 3. 19.4/19.4/35.5/25.8
Auris Nasus Larynx. 1997; 24 (1): 39-42.
In an extended study over 3 years Prochazka [1263] evaluated the
effect of laser in a group of 200 patients. These patients were
taking gingko biloba preparations (73%) or Betahistadine (39%) and
also had physical therapy, mainly directed at the neck vertebrae.
Laser therapy was performed with a 300 mW GaAlAs laser, 75 J/cm2
into the ear and 135 J/cm2 behind the ear. The outcome was: no more
tinnitus 26%, more than 50% relief 43%, less than 50% relief 15%, no
effect 16%. In addition a group of 31 patients were selected for a
double blind study where the same therapy as above was performed,
but one group received placebo laser. At 6 months the outcome was as
follows, with laser/no laser: no more tinnitus 25.8%/0.0%, more than
50% relief 35.5%/25.8%, less than 50% relief 19.4%/48.4%, no effect
19.4%/25.8%.
Tinnitus and vertigo
Jan Tunér, DDS Laser-Medical Society Grängesberg, Sweden
A new and promising indication for laser therapy is tinnitus. This
inner ear disease is a growing problem in noisy modern society and
the number of persons suffering from tinnitus is increasing.
Traditional treatment for tinnitus is psychological support or
various masking procedures. Acupuncture and ginko extracts have been
tried with limited success. Laser therapy alone offers a new and
promising treatment modality.
The correlation between tinnitus/vertigo and cranomandibular
disorders (CMD) has been known for quite some time, yet few dentists
seem to be aware of this. It is not natural for the dentist to ask,
nor for the patient to inform the dentist about such a situation
since it does not appear to be a dental indication. However, quite a
number of tinnitus/vertigo patients will be relieved of their
symptoms if a proper CMD treatment is performed. Low level lasers
have been used to treat tinnitus patients with reasonable success,
if sufficient energy and suitable treatment technique is used. These
lasers have also proved themselves successful in the treatment of
CMD. It is obvious, therefore, that low level laser therapy is an
appropriate treatment modality for the yet undefined subgroup of
tinnitus/vertigo patients with a CMD background. Laser therapy will
reduce pain levels, ease muscular spasms and revert the vicious
circle.
Transmeatal cochlear laser (TCL) treatment of cochlear dysfunction: a
feasibility study for chronic tinnitus.
Tauber S, Schorn K, Beyer W, Baumgartner R., Department of
Otolaryngology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich
Low-level-laser-therapy (LLLT) targeting the inner ear has been
discussed as a therapeutic procedure for cochlear dysfunction such
as chronic cochlear tinnitus or sensorineural hearing loss. Former
studies demonstrate dose-dependent biological and physiological
effects of LLLT such as enhanced recovery of peripheral nerve
injuries, which could be of therapeutic interest in cochlear
dysfunction. To date, in patients with chronic tinnitus mastoidal
and transmeatal irradiation has been performed without systematic
dosimetric assessment. However, light-dosimetric studies on human
temporal bones demonstrated that controlled application of laser
light to the human cochlea depends on defined radiator position
within the external auditory meatus. This feasibility study first
presents a laser application system enabling dose-controlled
transmeatal cochlear laser-irradiation (TCL), as well as preliminary
clinical results in patients with chronic cochlear tinnitus. The
novel laser TCL-system, consisting of four diode lasers (lambda=635
nm-830 nm) and a new specific head-set applicator, was developed on
the basis of dosimetric data from a former light-dosimetric study.
In a preliminary clinical study, the TCL-system was applied to 35
patients with chronic tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss. The
chronic symptoms persisted after standard therapeutic procedures for
at least six months, while retrocochlear or middle-ear pathologies
have been ruled out. The patients were randomised and received five
single diode laser treatments (lambda=635 nm, 7.8 mW cw, n=17 and
lambda=830 nm, 20 mW cw, n=18) with a space irradiation of 4 J/cm2
site of maximal cochlear injury. For evaluation of laser-induced
effects complete otolaryngologic examinations with audiometry,
tinnitus masking and matching, and a tinnitus-self-assessment were
performed before, during and after the laser-irradiation. The first
clinical use of the TCL-system has been well tolerated without
side-effects and produced no observable damage to the external,
middle or inner ear. Changes of tinnitus loudness and tinnitus
matching have been described. After a follow-up period of six months
tinnitus loudness was attenuated in 13 of 35 irradiated patients,
while two of 35 patients reported their tinnitus as totally absent.
Hearing threshold levels and middle ear function remained unchanged.
Further investigations by large double-blind placebo controlled
studies are mandatory for clinical evaluation of the presented
TCL-system and its therapeutic effectiveness in acute and chronic
cochlear dysfunction. Used by permission of the Czech Society for
the Use of Laser in Medicine.
Low-energy laser radiation in the combined Treatment of sensorineural
hearing loss and Meniere's disease
Pal'chun VT, Lapchenko AS, Kadymova MI, Kucherov AG.
59 patients with neurosensory hypoacusis and 45 with Meniere's
disease underwent helium-neon laser intra- or supravascular
radiation of blood. The treatment proved effective in acute
neurosensory hypoacusis and Meniere's disease.
Light dosimetry and preliminary clinical results for low level laser
therapy in cochlear dysfunction.
Dr. Beyer W et al.
The light distribution inside the cochlear windings produced by
irradiation of the tympanic membrane was quantitatively measured ex
vivo for wavelengths of 593, 612, 635, 690, 780 and 805 nm by means
of video dosimetry. The transmission of light across the tympanic
cavity and the promontory depends strongly on the wavelength.
Spatial intensity variations of a factor of 10 and more inside the
cochlear windings have been measured. The clinical study was
performed with 30 patients suffering from chronic permanent tinnitus.
5 irradiations within 2 weeks each with a space irradiation of
4J/cm2 were applied at the cochlear position to be treated. Diode
lasers of 635 or 830 nm, 15 patients each, were used. During and
after irradiation there was no significant change of hearing.
However, 40% of the patients reported a slight to significant
attenuation of the tinnitus loudness of the treated ear. There was
no difference between the two wavelength groups.
Infrared laser applied into the meatus acousticus
Prof. Dr. Shiomi [686]
has investigated the effect of infrared laser applied directly into
the meatus acousticus, 21 J, once a week for 10 weeks. The result of
this non-controlled study is as follows: 26% of the patients
reported improved duration, 58% reduced loudness and 55% reported a
general reduction in annoyance.
The same author [687] has also examined the effect of light on the
cochlea using guinea pigs. Direct laser irradiation was administered
to the cochlea through the round window. The amplitude of CAP was
reduced to 53-83% immediately after the onset of irradiation. The
amplitude then returned to the original level. The results of this
investigation suggest that laser therapy might lessen tinnitus by
suppressing the abnormal excitation of the eighth nerve of the organ
of Corti.
Ex-vivo laser penetration study
Dr. Tauber, Dr. Beyer [1091]
has performed an ex-vivo laser penetration study. Based on these
findings it was possible to calculate the energy needed to obtain a
dose of 4 J/cm2 in the cochlea itself. Irradiation via the mastoid
showed values 103 to 105 times smaller (depending on wavelength)
than irradiation through the tympanic membrane. 30 patients were
treated five times within 2 weeks. One group was irradiated with 635
nm diode laser, the other with 830 nm diode laser. By
self-assessment around 40% of the patients reported a slight to
significant attenuation of the tinnitus loudness of the irradiated
ear.
Average duration of tinnitus of 10 years
Dr. Hahn [1310]
examined 120 patients with an average duration of tinnitus of 10
years. The patients underwent pure-tone audiometry, speech
audiometry and objective audiometry tests. The intensity and
frequency of tinnitus was also determined. EGb 761 was administered
3 weeks before the start of laser therapy. The patients underwent 10
sessions of laser therapy, each lasting 10 minutes. An improvement
in tinnitus was audiometrically confirmed in 50.8% of the patients;
10 dB in 18, 20 dB in 22, 30 dB in 10, 40 dB in 6 and 50 dB in 5
patients