Severe tinnitus, or "ringing in the ear", is a common but difficult-to-treat problem. Study results suggest that injections of the local anesthetic lidocaine, both into the ear and intravenously, may help the problem in most patients. These injections, repeated on three consecutive days, resulted in partial or complete relief of tinnitus in 70% of patients.
The cause of tinnitus is unknown, but it is thought to be due to disorders affecting tiny "hair" cells in the inner ear, or affecting the nerve pathways between the inner ear and the brain. Tinnitus can be associated with hearing loss. Patients with tinnitus deriving from conditions involving disturbed hair cells such as Meniere's disease, positional vertigo and aspirin intake, as well as those with hearing loss, respond well to the lidocaine treatment regimen.
Meeting of American Otological Society Orlando, Florida
Tinnitus can be a very difficult problem to treat in many individuals and can be quite disrupting to their lifestyle. This treatment is an interesting and useful therapy for this problem. I would not recommend lidocaine as there are some concerns about its carcinogenicity and many people do not tolerate it.
Procaine without any anesthetics seems a far better choice. Dr. Klinghardt teaches neural therapy courses that review these techniques in great detail.