Goodman Shawn S, Bentler Ruth A, Dittberner Andrew, Mertes Ian B
Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
ISRN Otolaryngol. 2013 Apr 23;2013:916370. doi: 10.1155/2013/916370. eCollection 2013.
One purported use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is to promote healing in damaged cells. The effects of LLLT on hearing loss and tinnitus have received some study, but results have been equivocal. The purpose of this study was to determine if LLLT improved hearing, speech understanding, and/or cochlear function in adults with hearing loss. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, subjects were assigned to a treatment, placebo, or control group. The treatment group was given LLLT, which consisted of shining low-level lasers onto the outer ear, head, and neck. Each laser treatment lasted approximately five minutes. Three treatments were applied within the course of one week. A battery of auditory tests was administered immediately before the first treatment and immediately after the third treatment. The battery consisted of pure-tone audiometry, the Connected Speech Test, and transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions. Data were analyzed by comparing pre- and posttest results. No statistically significant differences were found between groups for any of the auditory tests. Additionally, no clinically significant differences were found in any individual subjects. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01820416).
低强度激光疗法（LLLT）的一种据称用途是促进受损细胞的愈合。LLLT对听力损失和耳鸣的影响已得到一些研究，但结果并不明确。本研究的目的是确定LLLT是否能改善听力损失成人的听力、言语理解和/或耳蜗功能。采用随机、双盲、安慰剂对照设计，将受试者分为治疗组、安慰剂组或对照组。治疗组接受LLLT，即向外耳、头部和颈部照射低强度激光。每次激光治疗持续约五分钟。在一周内进行三次治疗。在第一次治疗前和第三次治疗后立即进行一系列听觉测试。该系列测试包括纯音听力测定、连贯言语测试和瞬态诱发耳声发射。通过比较测试前后的结果来分析数据。在任何听觉测试中，各组之间均未发现统计学上的显著差异。此外，在任何个体受试者中均未发现临床上的显著差异。该试验已在ClinicalTrials.gov（NCT01820416）上注册。
