Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

Here we look at the claims for Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

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

Treatment details

Illustration of an ear with a device in it.

Type

Device

1

Safety

Regarded as safe

3

Efficacy

Evidence that it is not effective

Recommended?

No

Claims for treatment

Manufacturer claims that laser therapy “works as curative bio-stimulation directly on the metabolism in the connective tissue.” [1]

Low level laser therapy (LLLT) acts by increasing blood microcirculation, prompting an increase in cell proliferation, speeds up the repair and decreases the damage of cells and tissue [2].

What is the treatment?

The treatment is a low level laser, targeted at the ear/cochlear either behind the ear or through the ear canal.

What are the downsides of this treatment?

The cost, this can be around £640 [1].

Has there been research into this treatment?

Yes, there have been research made.

What does the research say?

To his date, the research says that Low level laser therapy is no better than placebo (sham treatment) [2 3 4]. Only one study in a systematic review showed a low risk of bias [5].

Medium level laser therapy cannot be regarded as an effective treatment of chronic tinnitus [6].

How high quality is the research?

A/B

There is evidence that this treatment does not work.

There is no plausible mechanism for this treatment to work.

Tinnitus UK

Comment

This treatment may also be called low level laser therapy (LLLT); soft laser or medium level laser therapy.

All online references accessed 15 May 2024 unless noted.

1. DisMark Tinnitus HiLife. Therapy possibilities: Self-treatment with soft laser tinnitool.com/en/therapy-possibilities/soft-laser-treatment/

2. 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.

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. 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.

6. Dejakum K, Piegger J, Plewka C, et al. Medium-level laser in chronic tinnitus treatment. Biomed Research International. 2013;2013:324234.
doi:10.1155/2013/324234