Tinnitus (ear ringing) and soft laser therapy – What do the studies say?

What is tinnitus and what causes it?

Tinnitus is not a standalone disease but a symptom — a sound perceived in the ear or head that has no external source. The sound is heard only by the affected person and is not detectable by others.

Possible causes of tinnitus

• Noise exposure – long-term exposure to loud noise (concerts, industrial noise, headphones too loud)
• Aging – age-related hearing loss (presbyacusis)
• Inner ear circulatory problems – atherosclerosis, blood circulation issues
• Ear diseases – Menière’s disease, otosclerosis
• Neck and jaw problems – muscle tension, cervical spine issues
• Medications – side effects of some painkillers, antibiotics
• Other – high blood pressure, thyroid problems, stress

Determining the exact cause is important because treatment options depend on it.

How might the soft laser work for tinnitus?

The theoretical basis for soft laser therapy in tinnitus treatment includes the following:

• Improved microcirculation – laser light may increase blood supply to the inner ear
• Support for cellular metabolism – increased ATP production in inner ear cells
• Anti-inflammatory effect – if an inflammatory component is present
• Nerve regeneration – supporting the function of the auditory nerve

The method has been researched since the 1990s at various European centers (Austria, Germany, Denmark), and some clinical experiences showed favorable results — especially in cases where circulatory disturbance underlay the tinnitus.

What do scientific studies say?

It is important to speak plainly about what rigorous scientific trials show. Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been performed on soft laser treatment for tinnitus.

Chen et al. (2020) – Meta-analysis

This is one of the most comprehensive analyses (PMID: 33276501) that evaluated 11 randomized controlled trials (670 patients):

• No significant difference in Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores between soft laser and placebo
• No statistically significant difference in subjective improvement rates
• Authors' conclusion: the effectiveness of LLLT for tinnitus is "uncertain"

Dos Santos et al. (2021) – Systematic review

Analyzing 7 randomized trials (PMID: 33375822):

• Some studies showed various degrees of improvement
• There was no consensus among results
• Conclusion: currently no clear recommendation can be made

Abdali et al. (2025) – Recent systematic review

The most recent review analyzed 9 clinical trials:

• Meta-analysis was not possible due to methodological heterogeneity
• Some studies showed favorable results, others did not
• Further research is needed to clarify effectiveness

What does this mean in practice?

The scientific evidence is currently limited and mixed. This does not mean the method cannot work for some individuals — only that rigorous, controlled trials have not consistently demonstrated an effect superior to placebo.

It is important to note:

• Trials used different parameters (wavelength, dose, treatment time)
• The cause of tinnitus is variable — certain subtypes may respond better
• Clinical experience shows improvement in some patients
• The method is safe; no serious adverse effects are known

Before you start treatment

Important: Only begin soft laser treatment if an ENT specialist has diagnosed your tinnitus and ruled out the following:

• Acoustic neuroma – a benign tumor on the auditory nerve
• Otosclerosis – fixation of the stapes bone
• Other treatable underlying disease

You can read more about contraindications of soft laser in our soft laser contraindications article.

Suitable devices for tinnitus treatment

If you want to try the method, you need a device that can deliver enough energy into the ear canal:

• Personal Laser L400 – 400 mW, 808 nm, design ideal for ear treatment
• Energy Laser L500 Pro – 500 mW, 808 nm, higher power

Both devices are CE-certified, registered as medical devices, and their design allows direct ear canal treatment.

Treatment procedure – Phase 1: Acupuncture points

The first step is treating acupuncture points around the ear. This is based on traditional Chinese medicine and, according to experience, may support the effectiveness of the treatment.

Treatment parameters

Treatment points

Treat the points shown in the figure below in order, delivering 4 Joule on each:

Place the treatment head perpendicular to the skin and hold it there for the required time. The device emits a beep every 10 seconds.

Treatment procedure – Phase 2: Ear canal treatment

The second phase aims to support blood circulation in the inner ear. The laser light is directed directly into the ear canal.

Important preparations

• Thoroughly clean the ear canal (remove earwax)
• DO NOT use a focusing attachment – remove it if present
• Wear the protective goggles provided with the device
• Treat in a comfortable seated position

Treatment parameters

Technique

When directing into the ear canal, move the device slowly and continuously. Tilt it by a few degrees and trace small circles with the tip — this ensures the energy is distributed evenly over the inner ear instead of concentrating on a single point.

Important: Treat both ears, even if only one is ringing!

What might you feel during treatment?

Some patients report the following sensations during treatment:

• Mild warming
• Crackling sounds
• A "conch shell"-like sound

In clinical practice these are generally interpreted as positive signs, possibly indicating increased blood circulation.

Treatment protocol and expectations

Recommended frequency

• 2–3 times per week
• Start with the minimal dose. On acupuncture points 4 J (i.e. 10 seconds/point), in the ear canal 20 J (i.e. 50 seconds)
• If there is no response after 1–4 treatments, gradually increase the ear canal illumination

When to expect results?

If the method is effective for you, effects typically start to appear after 5–10 treatments. Full improvement takes longer and varies between individuals:

• Some cases: 15–20 treatments
• Others: 30–50 treatments
• According to some experiences, changes may even occur after 1–3 years

Realistic expectations

Be realistic:

• It does not work for everyone — the scientific evidence is mixed
• Tinnitus is cause-specific; circulatory-origin cases may be the most promising
• Complete disappearance is rare — symptom reduction is the more likely outcome
• The method is safe, so it may be worth trying alongside other options

Special case: Cervical (neck) origin tinnitus

If tinnitus is caused by neck problems (e.g. whiplash injury, muscle tension, jaw issues), it is worth combining treatments:

• Treatment of the mastoid (bone behind the ear): 4–8 Joule
• Treatment of the neck musculature
• Massage in the neck-shoulder region

Adjunct methods

Soft laser therapy can be used alone or combined with other methods. Consider the following:

Ginkgo biloba

Some experts recommend combining soft laser with Ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo may support circulation. Recommended dose: 200 mg extract daily.

Vitamin B12

Israeli studies have found low B12 levels in many tinnitus patients. If you are deficient, supplementation may be useful.

White noise

Tinnitus often causes sleep problems. White noise (e.g. a radio tuned between stations at low volume) can distract from the ringing and help with falling asleep. This is a simple, testable method.

Other applications of soft laser

Soft laser therapy can support the treatment of many other conditions and complaints. For an overview of all home-use applications read our Soft Laser Therapy at Home – Treatment of Diseases article.

If you are not familiar with the basics of soft laser therapy, start with the Comprehensive Guide to Soft Laser Therapy.

Summary – Quick overview

What is this article? A comprehensive guide to soft laser treatment of tinnitus (ear ringing), together with the scientific evidence.

Who is it for? Anyone with tinnitus interested in alternative treatment options.

Main message: Soft laser therapy is a safe method that has been investigated for tinnitus for a long time. The scientific evidence is currently mixed — some trials showed improvement, others did not. The method may be most promising for circulation-related tinnitus. It may be worth trying alongside other options, but with realistic expectations.

Key points:

• Medical diagnosis is required before treatment
• Two phases: acupuncture points + ear canal
• 2–3 times weekly, changes expected after 5–10 treatments
• Treat both ears
• Consider combining with Ginkgo biloba and vitamin B12

Recommended soft laser devices

Devices suitable for tinnitus treatment:

• Personal Laser L400 – 400 mW, ideal for ear treatment
• Energy Laser L500 Pro – 500 mW, higher power

Our full soft laser range →

Sources

1. Chen CH, et al. (2020). Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Tinnitus: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis. Brain Sci. PMID: 33276501
2. Dos Santos GM, et al. (2021). Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy as a Therapeutic Strategy for Patients With Tinnitus: A Systematic Review. J Speech Lang Hear Res. PMID: 33375822
3. Abdali H, et al. (2025). Low-Level Laser Therapy and Photobiomodulation for Tinnitus and Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review. Cureus. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.96234
4. Cheng YF (2022). Efficacy of low-level light therapy for tinnitus: a narrative review. Medical Lasers. Link
5. Son Y, et al. (2025). Effects of photobiomodulation on multiple health outcomes: an umbrella review. Systematic Reviews. PMC12326686

The information in this article is for guidance only. Soft laser therapy for tinnitus is experimental in nature; the scientific evidence is currently not clear. Home use may complement medical care but does not replace it. In case of tinnitus, a medical workup is required first to clarify the cause. Consult an ENT specialist before starting treatment.