Current Therapeutic Trends for Tinnitus Cure and Control: A Scoping Review

The present scoping review assessed knowledge updates in tinnitus management. We included randomized trials, non-randomized studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and observational studies in last 5 years on patients with tinnitus using Population, Concept, and Context mnemonic. We excluded studies on tinnitus epidemiology, technique-specific comparative studies for tinnitus assessment, review articles, or case reports. We used an artificial intelligence-powered tool MaiA for overall workflow management. Data charting elements included study identifiers, study design, population, interventions used, their outcomes on tinnitus scales, and treatment recommendations if any. Charted data from selected sources of evidence was presented using tables and a concept map. We also identified five evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) [from the United States, Europe, and Japan regions] in our review of total 506 results, 205 underwent screening based on eligibility criteria and 38 were included for the final charting. We found three major categories of interventions in our review: Medical technology therapies; Behavioural/habituation therapies; and Pharmacological, herbal/complementary, and alternative medicine therapies. Although evidence-based guidelines on tinnitus therapy did not recommend stimulation therapies, majority of the tinnitus research to date is focused on stimulation. It is highly recommended that clinicians consider CPGs when making treatment recommendations and make the distinction between established management approaches with good evidence and emerging treatment approaches for tinnitus management.