The effect of dietary supplements-based alpha-lipoic acid, acetyl l-carnitine and vitamin B complex in patients with tinnitus

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus affects more than 10% of the population, with a high social and economic burden. Although several hypotheses have been proposed to explain tinnitus development, the aetiology remains unclear, hindering the development of effective therapies. However, recent evidence has shown that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in tinnitus pathogenesis, sparking a growing interest in nutraceuticals as potentially effective treatment approaches. METHODS: We conducted a national survey to analyse the tinnitus management strategies and evaluate their efficacy. RESULTS: Our results showed that tinnitus is still not considered a full-fledged pathology and is not adequately treated. Among the treatments, dietary supplements based on alpha-lipoic acid, acetyl L-carnitine and vitamin B complex (Tioneural Retard (R)) have proven effective in reducing the discomfort induced by tinnitus. CONCLUSIONS: The growing attention paid to oxidative stress as a cause of tinnitus and a possible therapeutic target seems to represent a promising treatment direction.