Biofeedback therapy in the treatment of tinnitus.

Seven patients were treated with electromyographic biofeedback therapy for intractable tinnitus which was supposed to be reinforced by mental distress and muscle tension. Three patients, who succeeded in decreasing electromyographic levels of the frontal muscle, were able to reduce tinnitus and relieve anxiety. One patient could eliminate tinnitus only during biofeedback sessions, but the efficacy was not continuous in daily life. The other three patients, who failed to decrease electromyographic levels, did not obtain favorable results. It is suggested that biofeedback therapy appears to be of greatest benefit when muscle tension and mental distress are the cause of magnification of the tinnitus symptoms.