Comparison of Efficacy of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy versus Ginkgo bilobain the Management of Tinnitus.

This study was done to compare treatment options for management of tinnitus (Tinnitus Retraining Therapy, Ginkgo biloba),to evaluate the quality of life of individuals who present with tinnitus before and after treatment and to analyse if severity of tinnitus has any implication on its treatment. A randomized prospective study was conducted on patients who presented to ENT outpatient department (OPD) with history of subjective tinnitus in the ear. Complete audiological profile was conducted after thorough clinical examination. Patients were asked to fill Tinnitus Handicap Inventory(THI) on their first visit and then divided into 2 groups for management. One treated with Tinnitus Retraining Therapy(TRT) and the other managed with Ginkgo biloba. Their THIs were filled after 1week, 1month and 2 months interval to assess the change in their THI scores. Of the 78 patients who participated in the study 19 were lost to follow up. Among the 59 who remained in the study 29 were in TRT group and 30 were treated with Ginkgo biloba. Among the 29 in TRT group 2 showed no improvement in THI scores, 1 showed increase in THI scores and 26 showed decline in THI scores. Among the 30 in Ginkgo group 1 showed no improvement in THI scores 4 showed increase in THI scores and 25 showed reduction in THI scores. The results obtained conclude that both simplified Tinnitus Retraining Therapy and Ginkgo biloba extract have beneficiary effects on reduction of tinnitus prevalence. And simplified TRT has better patient acceptance than Ginkgo.