The Role of Clonazepam on the Control and Management of Tinnitus: A Cross-over randomized study.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Tinnitus is considered one of the most prevalent complaints among patients viewed at the E.N.T and neurological clinics. It’s defined as the perception of phantom sound, originated in the head. It’s estimated that 20% of population suffer tinnitus, 1% of which have severe symptoms affecting their quality of life, and may lead to suicide. In spite of that there is no “golden stander” test for tinnitus nor an agreed upon treatment or cure. Leaving practitioner trying with different protocols and medications for each patient. The paper search in the use of clonazepam as an effective treatment for tinnitus or at least as a tamer for the affects it has on patient’s quality of life. Methods: This is a cross-over study, conducted on 80 patients who completed the inclusion criterion and signed the informed consent paper. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. The 1st group had clonazepam for 1 month as the 1st stage then they were followed using the attached survey for 3 months, for the 2nd stage they had gingko biloba “herbal medication usually used on tinnitus cases” for 1 month then were followed for 2 weeks with the same survey. The 2nd group were reversed for the medications “ginkgo biloba for the 1st stage- clonazepam for the 2nd”. This study was designed for each patient to serve as their own case-control. Results: A significant improvement was found during the use of clonazepam “p value < 0.05” compared to their basic status on both scales THI+VAS. No improvement was seen during the use of gingko biloba. “p value >0.05” Conclusion: Clonazepam can be considered one of the effective medication for the treatment of subjective tinnitus, no matter how severe or chronic was it. It’s also advised to start to rely less on gingko biloba for the treatment of tinnitus.