GFOUK DrWave

GFOUK DrWave Tinnitus NerveTreat Thermal Pen is a device using Low Level Laser Therapy

Version: 2.0 Last updated: August 2024 To be reviewed: June 2027

Treatment details

Illustration of an ear with a device in it.

Type

Device

2

Safety

Some potential for harm

3

Efficacy

Evidence that it is not effective

Recommended?

No

Claims for treatment

“This cutting-edge device integrates thermal therapy, nerve stimulation, and user-friendly customization, going beyond mere tinnitus management to reclaim your life”. [1]

What is the treatment?

It’s a small device uses Low Level Laser Therapy (red light therapy), heat, electromagnetic stimulation and vibration. It is placed on the skull behind the ear.

What are the downsides of this treatment?

The cost, around $301.

There is risk of burns as reported by some reviewers [2].

Has there been research into this treatment?

Not on this device, but on the component elements of the treatment modes.

What does the research say?

The research mentioned that a Low level laser therapy is no better than placebo (sham treatment) [3 4 5]. Only one study in a systematic review showed a low risk of bias [6].

Medium level laser therapy cannot be regarded as an effective treatment of chronic tinnitus [7].

We have been unable to find any published work on the use of warmth around the ear to benefit tinnitus. Although electromagnetic stimulation has been successfully trialed as a tinnitus treatment, this has been under controlled conditions and with well defined stimulation points, not via a handheld device with one point of contact [8].

There is evidence that this treatment will not work. Some of the cited mechanisms are not plausible.

The manufacturer’s web page seemed confused on what modes the device used.

Tinnitus UK

All online references accessed 24 June 2024 unless noted.

1. G-FOUK. GFOUKTM DrWave Tinnitus NerveTreat Thermal Pen https://www.gfouk.com/products/drwave-tinnitus-nervetreat-thermal-pen

2. Amazon.co.uk Drwave Tinnitus Nervetreat Thermal Pen, Tinnitus Relief for Ringing Ears, Dafeila Prowave Tinnitus Relief Pen, Pro Wave Tinnitus Relief Pen, Ringing in Ears Relief (1pcs) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tinnitus-Nervetreat-Thermal-Ringing-Dafeila/dp/B0CPY89S4T/

3. Dehkordi MA, Einolghozati S, Ghasemi SM, Abolbashari S, Meshkat M, Behzad H. Effect of low-level laser therapy in the treatment of cochlear tinnitus: a double- blind, placebo-controlled study. Ear, Nose and Throat Journal. 2015 Jan;94(1):32-6.

4. Ngao CF, Tan TS, Narayanan P, Raman R. The effectiveness of transmeatal low-power laser stimulation in treating tinnitus. European Archives of Otorhino-laryngology. 2014 May;271(5):975-80. doi: 10.1007/s00405-013-2491-3.

5. Chen CH, Huang CY, Chang CY, Cheng YF. Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Tinnitus: A Systematic Review with Meta- Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis. Brain Sciences. 2020 Dec 2;10(12):931. doi:10.3390/brainsci10120931.

6. Ferreira MC, de Matos IL, de Toledo IP, Honório HM, Mondelli MFCG. Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy as a Therapeutic Strategy for Patients With Tinnitus: A Systematic Review. The Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research. 2021 Jan 14;64(1):279-298. doi:10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00066.