Action of Intra-auricular Topical Lidocaine on Tinnitus

Adult patients who have had continuous, uni or bilateral tinnitus, for at least 6 months are being evaluated. Exclusion criteria are: otological infection, tympanic membrane perforation, anatomical alteration of the external ear, pulsatile tinnitus, objective tinnitus, known allergy to lidocaine or other topical anesthetic and pregnancy All patients receive both lidocaine and placebo at an interval of 15 days and the order of application of the substances is randomized. Only one ear receives the medications and side is defined by the higher intensity of tinnitus, or through draw in the case of symmetrical tinnitus. The patient is instructed to lie in lateral decubitus, with the ear under study facing upwards and the substances are applied by filling the external auditory canal with lidocaine or distilled water for 5 min. Tinnitus intensity is measured (acuphenometry and VAS) before and after substance application and the variation is compared between lidocaine and placebo.