Tinnitus: evaluation of biofeedback and stomatognathic treatment.

ABSTRACT

Thirty-two patients with disabling tinnitus received stomatognathic treatment and biofeedback therapy according to a cross-over design. The evaluation of treatment outcomes showed some improvements at the group level decrease of tinnitus intensity, mood improvement and reduction of clinical signs of dysfunction in the masticatory system. Qualitative observations indicated numerous positive changes in patients' emotional and cognitive orientation vis à vis tinnitus. Some possible predictors of positive treatment outcome were observed comparatively low severity of tinnitus, normal hearing or compensated hearing loss, occlusal interferences, jaw fatigue, diurnal bruxism and fluctuations in tinnitus intensity. Left-sided tinnitus seemed to be a negative predictor of stomatognathic and biofeedback treatment outcome. Consequently, stomatognathic and biofeedback treatment seem to have some positive effects on subgroups of tinnitus patients.