A Comparative Analysis of the Efficacy of Ginkgo Biloba and Caroverine in the Management of Idiopathic Tinnitus

• Published in: Indian journal of otolaryngology, and head, and neck surgery Vol. 76; no. 5; pp. 4386 - 4392
• Main Authors: Basista, Hitender, Saxena, Rohit, Pathak, Vivek Kumar, Awasthi, Sanjeev
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi Springer India 01-10-2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Head and Neck Surgery; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Article; Otorhinolaryngology; Tinnitus; Caroverine; Efficacy; Tinnitus; Ginkgo Biloba; Hearing loss
• ISSN: 2231-3796; 0973-7707
• DOI: 10.1007/s12070-024-04868-5

Aim
The sound sensation that is experienced in the ears or brain and is unrelated to any external sources of stimulus is known as tinnitus. Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) is used to establish the presence of the condition and determine symptom severity, its impact on the patient’s quality of life, thus in this study, we aim to compare the efficacy of caroverine and Ginkgo Biloba in the management of idiopathic tinnitus using TFI.
Methods
This clinical study was conducted in at a tertiary care hospital in North India, for a duration of one year, among patients with chronic tinnitus. The sample size for this study consisted of 60 patients in each of three groups (caroverine, gingko biloba, and multivitamin). Assessments of TFI and pure-tone audiometry were performed to evaluate the efficacy of the two medications. The information pertaining to the subjects was kept anonymous and confidential. During data analysis, an association was significant for p value < 0.05.
Results
The patients in three groups were matched for the age, gender and duration of tinnitus. At 6 months of medication with Ginkgo Biloba, patients experienced a significant (
p
 < 0.0001) decrease of 50.0% in tinnitus of moderate severity, and a complete resolution of severe tinnitus symptoms with a percentage change of -100.0%.
Conclusion
In our study, Ginkgo Biloba Group has significantly improved the severity of idiopathic tinnitus. Tinnitus has diverse underlying mechanisms, can be a symptom of various underlying diseases, and is challenging to measure. Further research is warranted to validate and explore these treatment options further.