The Effect of Instant Stimulation to Kidney 3 Acupuncture Point on DPOAE Responses in Patients With Tinnitus

Introduction Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ear or brain in the absence of any external stimulation. Theories regarding tinnitus pathology often involve both cochlear involvement and central regions. Different and alternative medical treatment options have been widely used to help individuals suffering from tinnitus. Objective This study aims to investigate the effect of instant stimulation to the Kidney 3 (KI3) acupuncture point on distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) in patients with tinnitus. Material and Method Thirty patients (21 male, 9 female) with subjective tinnitus and normal hearing were included in the study. A total of 39 ears (22 left ears, 17 right ears) were evaluated. After audiological evaluations, the effects of instantaneous stimulation of the bilateral KI3 acupuncture point on DPOAE at frequencies ranging from 1,000 to 6,000 Hz were measured. Results There was a significant difference between amplitudes before and during acupuncture application at all tested frequencies, except at 4,000 Hz in patients with tinnitus in the right ear. There was also a significant difference between amplitudes of before and after acupuncture application at 3,000 and 4,000 Hz in patients with tinnitus in the left ear. Lower amplitude was observed at these frequencies compared with before the application. In patients with bilateral tinnitus, there was a significant amplitude difference between before and during application at 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 Hz frequencies for the left ear. Conclusion Instant stimulation to the KI3 acupuncture point changed DPOAE amplitude values in patients with tinnitus.