OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of tinnitus frequency on medication and prognosis in patients with chronic subjective tinnitus.

METHODSSeventy-two patients (Ninety-three ears) diagnosed as chronic subjective tinnitus were studied from October 2010 to March 2011. All cases were divided into low frequency(twenty-three ears), medium frequency(fourteen ears) and high frequency (fifty-six ears) according to tinnitus matching test. All cases were treated with microcirculation promotion and steroid therapy (5% glucose 250 ml + ginkgo biloba extract 87.5 mg + dexamethasone 10 mg intravenous drip). Curative effect was evaluated and the factors of prognosis were analyzed after three weeks.

RESULTSAfter medication, results were acquired as follows: recovery in 0 ear (0%), excellent in 0 ear (0%), effective in 18 ears (19.4%), invalid in 75 ear (80.6%). The effective percentage was 39.1%, 35.7% and 7.1%, respectively. There was significant difference between these groups, but no significant difference between low frequency and medium frequency. Logistic regression analysis showed that the difference of frequency was significant prognostic factors for medication.

CONCLUSIONSMicrocirculation promotion and steroid therapy had a poor treatment effect in patients with chronic subjective tinnitus. The prognosis of chronic low-medium frequency tinnitus was better than chronic high frequency tinnitus. The difference of frequency retained significant influence on effects and prognosis of medication.