Tonic water contains a certain percentage of quinine, an extract of the bark of the cinchona tree that has been used for the treatment of malaria. Quinine is an effective muscle relaxant, long used by the Quechua Indians of Peru to stop symptoms like shivering. The Peruvians would mix the ground bark of cinchona trees with sweetened water to offset the bark’s bitter taste, thus producing tonic water

Quinine was the first effective treatment for malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, appearing in therapeutics in the 17th century. It remained the anti-malarial drug of choice until the 1940s, when other drugs replaced it. It is rarely used in medicinal cases as it can be difficult to keep down, thereby making dosing difficult. Quinine is still used in tonic water to maintain the flavour expected by customers.

Research has shown that the use of quinine has been correlated with the loss of hearing, especially at higher frequencies. Many tinnitus sufferers report that their symptoms significantly increase after drinking tonic water or with any other use of quinine. It has not yet been established whether the effects of quinine on hearing function are permanent or not, but it seems that after some time they do wane. Of course every individual may experience the effects of quinine differently so it isn’t necessary that they will either experience any tinnitus or if hearing loss occurs, whether normal hearing will return.

However, in the use of homeopathy quinine is considered viable for the treatment of tinnitus. This is because homeopathy uses miniscule amounts of the aggravator to somewhat force the body into reaction. It is in some way similar to inoculations, where the powerless element is introduced to the body, and anti-bodies form. Homeopathy works on the principal that the body will heal itself if small amount of the aggravator are introduced.

A little fun fact:

Tonic water glows if placed under a blacklight. Quinine is the cause of this glow.

Tinnitus can emerge in any of the four sections of the hearing mechanism: the outer, middle and the inner ear, and the brain. Some tinnitus or head noise is normal for all individuals, so if one is placed in a sound proof booth, or is wearing very effective earplugs, he or she will become aware of these sounds. Tinnitus of course works on a different level of volume, which is the reason why it is so particularly bothersome. It is nearly impossible to drown out and/or ignore and it gets even louder when things quiet down.

The outer ear is not often the culprit in emergent tinnitus but some conditions are associated with this section of the ear and the buzzing symptoms. The two most common causes of the tinnitus symptoms due to outer ear problems are:

1) A build-up of earwax, or cerumen, in the ear canal which may irritate the hearing mechanisms

2) A narrowing or poorly shaped ear canal, which may affect the perception of sound

There are methods to deal with both of these types of causes making outer-ear tinnitus one of the most physically treatable. The middle ear, however, can harbor the roots of a much more complex tinnitus symptomatology, some of which may require the attention of your health care provider and possibly even further steps in terms of treatment, surgery not being entirely out of question. In most cases all of these causes may be resolved with adequate medical attention.

The Middle Ear Tinnitus Causes

1. Serous otitis media with fluid in the middle ear:

Otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear, or middle ear infection , it occurs in the area between the ear drum and the inner ear, including a duct known as the Eustachian tube. Otitis media is very common in childhood, with the average toddler having two to three episodes a year, almost always accompanied by the common cold. The rhinoviruses (nose viruses) that cause the common cold infect the Eustachian tube that goes from the back of the nose to the middle ear, causing swelling and compromise of pressure equalization, which is one of the normal function of the tube. The other main function is the lateral drainage of fluids from tissues on either side of the skull

2. Perforation of the ear drum

Perforated eardrum is a rip or perforation (hole) in the eardrum. It can occur due to an infection, trauma (by trying to clean the ear with sharp instruments), explosion, loud noise or an accidental surgical mistake. Flying with a severe cold can also cause perforation due to changes in air pressure and blocked Eustachian tubes. The perforation may heal in a few weeks, or up to a few months. Some perforations require intervention – this may be a simple procedure which uses a paper patch to promote healing, or surgery. In some cases the damage is unable to heal naturally and may require surgical attention.  

3. Fixation or dissociation of the ossicular chain (the bones in the middle ear)

Ossicular chain dislocation may happen due to a fracture, tympanic membrane perforation, or trauma. The most common presentation of ossicular discontinuity is separation of several joints. Ossicular fixation may occur several months after the temporal bone fracture if exuberant growth of new bone at the fracture line fuses the ossicular chain. Treatment in any case is middle ear exploration and ossicular chain reconstruction.

4. Cholesteatoma (a pocket of the eardrum growing in the middle ear as a result of chronic ear infections)

Cholesteatoma is a destructive and expanding keratinizing squamous epithelium in the middle ear and there are two types: congenital and acquired. Acquired cholesteatomas is the more common and can be caused by a tear or retraction of the ear drum. Sometimes the disease may be congenital, when it grows from birth behind the eardrum.

5. Glomus tumor (a vascular tumor arising in the middle ear space)

A glomus tumor is a rare benign neoplasm, is a specialized arteriovenous anastomosis usually found in the skin of the extremities, arising from the glomus body. Research has indicated that there are at least four genetic mutations that lead to a glomus tumor. If there is no underlying inherited condition, then the tumor is considered “sporadic” or random. They are usually solitary and small, and can be found under the fingernail, but they can also be found on the tympanic membrane, which in turn causes middle ear damage and tinnitus. These lumps are often painful and tend to have a bluish discoloration, although sometimes they can present as white.

Tinnitus and diet do go hand in hand, as we have already noted. Some foods aggravate your tinnitus symptoms while others help them to calm down. In the world of nuts it is hard for a tinnitus sufferer to go wrong, as nearly all species are very beneficial for ear and general health (note: Peanuts are NOT actual nuts. We will explain why you should avoid them in a future post).  Almonds are at the top of the list of nuts which are useful for the ringing and buzzing symptoms, as they poses an impressive arsenal of tinnitus-specific health benefits.

Sugars and Fats:

Sugar and fat ingestion and digestion result in specific enzymes being released by the body so absorption of these materials can take place. These particular food components are one of the greatest culprits in tinnitus symptoms which emerge due to dietary intake. The breakdown of sugars, fats, cholesterol and carbs in the body can cause an impressive leap in the intensity of the symptoms.

The sweet almond itself contains practically no carbohydrates, and is gluten-free, and thus may be made into flour for low-carbohydrate diets, for patients suffering from diabetes mellitus or any other form of glycosuria and individuals with coeliac allergies. A standard serving of almond flour, 1 cup, contains 20 grams of carbs, of which 10 g is dietary fibre for a net of 10 g of carbohydrate. This makes almond flour very desirable for use in cake and bread recipes by people on carbohydrate-restricted diets. They are also rich in monounsaturated fat, one of the two “good” fats responsible for lowering LDL cholesterol.

 A controlled trial showed that 73g of almonds in the daily diet reduced LDL cholesterol by as much as 9.4%, reduced the LDL:HDL ratio by 12.0%, and increased HDL-cholesterol by 4.6%.

Antioxidants:

Almonds are a rich source of Vitamin E, containing 24 mg per 100 g or 20% of the daily value in each serving. Vitamin E is actually 20 times stronger, as an antioxidant, than vitamin C. The antioxidants in the nut scavenge the toxic free radicals in the body which cause an increase in the tinnitus symptoms. As the body is cleansed the buzzing sounds should calm itself.

Stimulating the GI tract:

One of the health benefits of almonds is improved movement of food through the colon, as well as helping with the absorption of mineral and vitamin content of the food.

Supplementation of Vitamin/Mineral Deficiencies: 

  Calcium is greatly important to the strength of the bones, including the small bones of the ear. 

  Magnesium is necessary for the proper absorption of calcium and vitamin D

  Zinc is leached from the system when magnesium is used, so to keep a balance the two should be eaten together. Zinc is also found in the highest concentration in the cochlea of the ear and studies have shown that individuals with tinnitus have less zinc in the system and in the structures of the inner ear.

   Niacin pumps oxygen and nitric oxide throughout the system, clearing out the free radicals and delivering oxygen to areas of the body which may usually be starved for it.

   Vitamin Bs deficiencies of any of the B vitamins can cause the symptoms of tinnitus to emerge

This nut can also be used externally to help with causes of objective tinnitus, such as build up of wax in the ear canal. Almond Oil is extracted by cold process and is considered a nutritive treatment both for external use and internal consumption. It can help with the safe removal of ear wax if a little is dripped inside the ear daily. Recent studies have shown that almond oil has anti-inflammatory, immunity boosting, and anti-hepatotoxicity effects.

     The TinnitusDX formula provides a highly effective and fully comprehensive synergistic blend of vitamin and mineral supplements, combined with carefully matched homeopathic medicines to create a one-of-a-kind type treatment for any and all symptoms of tinnitus. What makes this tinnitus formula so extraordinary is that it is designed to address nearly all the possible causes of the tinnitus symptoms while also being mindful of what type of treatment any individual’s body could respond to best. The makers of this tinnitus formula believe, due to a substantial amount of peer-reviewed research, that the tinnitus symptoms are multi-causal – in other words, they rarely stem from just one root cause. Any combination of physical trauma, lifestyle choices and certain disorders can be the true cause of your tinnitus symptoms. The TinnitusDX formula is literally able to treat nearly every single cause, without competing with itself, or damaging your body. And as a bonus as the symptoms begin to wane, it is very likely that your general well-being will be increasing along. After all, this unique tinnitus therapy is designed to treat vitamin deficiencies, metabolic disorders, toxicity of the body, some traumas and even the effects of aging, and all of this is done without the use of dangerous and potentially addictive drugs.

   On a weekly basis we will discuss an ingredient of this tinnitus relief formula, where you will be able to see what laboratory research has been saying not only about the effects of the element on tinnitus symptoms but also find out exactly why it may be so helpful.

   We will begin with the vitamin A, a necessary component of a healthy diet which can be found in most green vegetables like kale and broccoli and some yellow/orange fruit like apricots and mango. Vitamin A is extremely important for the health of one’s vision, skin, bones, heart, the immune system and the body’s antioxidant activity to name a few.

  It’s importance in tinnitus is multileveled, vitamin A is firstly involved in the growth and repair of epithelial cells, which form the stomach lining, the glands and various bodily tissues as well as the production of membranes of the myelin sheath, which coat the nerves and allow for correct conduction of message. Without healthy epithelial cells tinnitus can be caused either by malabsorption in the stomach, poor gland secretion and a number of other causes which will be discussed in a separate article. The healthy myelin coating is necessary for the correct conduction of neural signals and messages, including those involved in hearing. A vitamin A deficiency can easily be a reason for emerging tinnitus symptoms.

    Dr. Shambaugh, the son of  the founder of the American Board of Otolaryngology had said  “all special sensory receptor cells, including the retina of the eye and the hair cells of the inner ear, depend upon vitamin A … to function properly. He also noted that Vitamin A is found in high concentrations in the cochlea. Certain studies showed that people who are exposed to a lot of noise and have symptoms of tinnitus show much lower levels of vitamin A than individuals with no hearing concerns. This means that tinnitus can be caused by a vitamin A deficiency but also that this deficiency could be caused by high levels of noise in one’s environment.

Studies about vitamin A and tinnitus symptoms say that  

     A dose of vitamin A was administered to 30 patients with progressive hearing loss, twice a week for a period of six weeks. The patients who responded positively received further treatment during 22 more weeks, or as long as it took to achieve the maximum gain in hearing ability. In the first six weeks 83% of the patients responded positively to the Vitamin A treatments. Participants reported that both conductive and perceptive hearing loss improved. Individuals with dysfunctions in the conductive system including otosclerosis responded more swiftly when compared to individuals without such disorders. Of the 30 participants 23 also suffered from tinnitus, and 17 (74%) reported an improvement of their tinnitus. Dramatic improvement of tinnitus was noted in 15 patients.

Lobel M. J. Clinical studies with parenteral vitamin A therapy in deafness: preliminary report Eye Ear Nose Throat Mon.  1949 May;28(5):213-9

Vitamin A was used in a study of endogenous inner ear hearing loss, presbyacusis, Meniere’s disease and in acoustic neuroma. The group consisted of 103 participants. Results showed some improvement in pure-tone hearing. An improvement of 38% was noted in pure-tone hearing and 39% improvement was noted in speech perception. Accompanying tinnitus also benefited from the Vitamin A therapy. Tinnitus perception was reduced by an average of 39%, and 27% of the participants reported a total disappearance of all tinnitus symptoms. Thus vitamin A may be recommended as a treatment for the treatment of inner ear hearing loss and tinnitus. 

Nager G. Results of vitamin A (Arovit-Roche) therapy of inner ear hearing disorders and tinnitus.  Pract Otorhinolaryngol (Basel). 1952;14(3):129-57.

    Aspirin is made from the compound known as acetylsalicylic acid, a derivative of salicylic acid which is found naturally in the bark of the willow tree. If you have heard the stories of Native Americans using willow bark brew to treat their ailing comrades, this was the reason. Salicylic acid possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulate properties, and is very effective at fairly low doses. This makes aspirin one of the most widely used medicines, as it can relieve anything from a minor ache to a migraine, fever, and even diabetic cataracts and blood clots.

    However, aspirin’s makeup is mildly toxic, and the overuse of it can cause a variety of symptoms and problems including stomach ulcers. But most importantly for individuals who suffer with tinnitus this painkiller and blood thinner can aggravate and even cause the buzzing/ringing symptoms. It is ototoxic – it causes destructive damage to the structure of the ear, specifically to the cochlea, while other ototoxic drugs also affect the auditory nerve and sometimes the vestibulum.

 Although aspirin is a free-radical scavenger, its ototoxic properties have more effect on the body and will aggravate the symptoms of an existing tinnitus condition. Often accidental, non-lethal overdoses of aspirin result in the original emergence of underlying tinnitus, especially for those individuals susceptible to it. There appears to be a hereditary predisposition to ototoxic reactions and other underlying conditions which cause tinnitus.

   If you are a tinnitus sufferer it is suggested that you avoid the use of aspirin as an analgesic for mild pain and instead go for non-salicylate non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen.

Tinnitus, like many conditions, can be prevented or held at bay by making sure you take an extra moment or two to protect yourself.

     The most common cause of tinnitus is believed to be exposure to high noise levels. For some this may mean being in a loud environment for many years before symptoms begin, but for others a one time high-decibel blast may irreversibly damage the hearing function.

  Thus, limit or avoid exposure to loud noises, such as music, power tools, gunshots, and industrial machinery and be sure to wear protective earplugs or earmuffs if you cannot avoid loud noises. Also be careful when using stereo headphones. If music is so loud that others can hear it clearly or you can’t hear other sounds around you, the volume is too high. Do not use wadded-up tissue or cotton balls. These do not protect adequately against loud noises, especially the more dangerous high frequencies, and they may become lodged in the ear canal.

   It is suggested that regular exercise may prevent tinnitus because it improves blood flow to the structures of the ear, flushing away the free radicals and oxygenates the area, making it function in a healthier manner. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important for prevention of tinnitus as studies show it occurs more frequently in obese adults.

   In cases of mild ringing of the ears cutting back on drinking alcohol and beverages containing caffeine as well as using tobacco products may be beneficial to stopping the symptoms. Nicotine and alcohol use may cause tinnitus by reducing blood flow to the structures of the ear, whereas caffeine may over-excite the nerves, causing the buzzing sound. A more in depth discussion concerning these sorts of lifestyle changes for the reduction of the buzzing/ringing symptoms will be posted in the future.

   When it comes to nerves and nerve conduction vitamin B-12 plays a special role. The body needs this nutrient to manufacture myelin, the fatty sheath that wraps around nerve fibers, insulating them and allowing them to conduct their electrical impulses at a better pace. A vitamin B12 deficiency can raise blood levels of homo-cysteine, an amino acid that is thought to be toxic to nerves, and cause subsequent ringing in the ears.  Vitamin B₁₂ sheathes ear nerves and may help prevent tinnitus.

    Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with chronic tinnitus,” says Dr. Attias. “Long-term exposure to noise depletes the body’s levels of B12 and so makes the ears more vulnerable to noise-induced damage.” If you have tinnitus, and especially if you also have memory problems, ask your doctor to check your blood level of vitamin B₁₂.

Research from the Institute for Noise Hazards Research and Evoked Potentials Laboratory at Chaim-Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan and from Tel Aviv University, both in Israel, looked at a group of 385 people with tinnitus and found that 36 to 47 percent suffered from vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. All of the people low in B₁₂ received injections of 1,000 micrograms weekly for four to six months. At the end of that time, their hearing and tinnitus were evaluated. Fifty-four percent reported improvement in their tinnitus, and approximately one-fourth reported reductions in the measured loudness of their tinnitus.

    Most people get enough vitamin B₁₂ from foods but often an individual is unable to absorb the B12 in their GI tract, which will eventually cause a deficiency. Strict vegetarians, who eat no meats, dairy products or eggs, are also at risk for deficiency, since B12 comes only from animal products. If your doctor determines that you have issues with absorbing B12 the vitamin you will need to supplement it. Those with an absorption problem will need to opt for either injections of B12 by your doctor, sublingual B12 pills from your pharmacist (studies show this method can also be poor in terms of absorption)  or a transdermal B12 patch available online.