THE ROLE OF PLASMA M ELATONIN AND VITAMINS C AND B12 IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF I DIOPATHIC TINNITUS INTHE E LDERLY

those without. Plasma levels of melatonin, vitamin C and vitamin B12 were determined using high performance liquid chromatography and correlation determined by comparing subjects with and without tinnitus. Result: There were 139 elderly subjects (78 fema les and 61males), themean(SD) range of the age was 66.9years(0.77)60-98years. Of these 58.3% had tinnitus.Themean (SD) range of the plasma levels of melatoninnwas 11.2 pg/mL(4.2)5.1 pg/mL-30.2 pg/mL while that of Vitamin C was 0.7