The A to Z of Tinnitus Remedies
Tinnitus symptoms are continuous ear ringing, buzzing or hissing in the inner ear that only the tinnitus sufferer can hear. Tinnitus sufferers may experience ringing in the ears all day, or it may come and go in phases. Tinnitus noises may also vary in pitch and volume, depending on the amount of inner ear damage to the cochlea, a network inside the ear that is crucial for good hearing. While there is no long-term cure for tinnitus, experts have agreed that certain vitamins can be beneficial for alleviating the effects of hearing loss and tinnitus.
Below is a list of the 4 best vitamins for tinnitus relief:
Vitamin A
The cochlea of the inner ear stores large amounts of vitamin A, and relies on sufficient stores in order to receive and interpret sound efficiently, according to Dr. George E. Shambaugh Jr, author of “Healing with Vitamins.” In his book, Dr. Shambaugh recommends vitamin A, in conjunction with vitamin E, as an effective tinnitus treatment. Good sources of vitamin A are orange fruits and vegetables, such as cantaloupe, yams, carrots and pumpkin. Tuna and spinach are also high in vitamin A.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is essential for a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B12 affects the way we touch, taste, see and hear, so it is not surprising that vitamin B12 deficiency leads to symptoms such as altered taste perception, visual disturbances, numbness or tingling, and chronic tinnitus. One Tel Aviv study, which focused on Israeli servicemen with tinnitus, found a high correlation between symptoms of tinnitus and vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 occurs naturally in lean meats, fish, eggs and dairy products.
Magnesium
Magnesium is another essential vitamin, which is included in many tinnitus remedies. Nutritionists believe that a magnesium deficiency corrupts the ability of the cochlea to function properly by constricting vessels that lead to the inner ear. Magnesium occurs naturally in food sources such as brown rice, bananas, beans and oats.
Zinc
Zinc is another nutrient that is associated with tinnitus and hearing loss. A study featured in Otology and Neurotology determined that low levels of zinc may be a cause of tinnitus. The University of Michigan Health System reported in 1985 that 25% of tinnitus sufferers who had low zinc levels noticed a marked reduction in tinnitus symptoms when they increased their zinc intake. Foods that are highest in zinc include oysters, wheat germ, veal liver and sesame seeds.
Read more about tinnitus treatment and prevention:
5 Mistakes Tinnitus Sufferers Make
Gingko Biloba as a Treatment for Tinnitus
Stop that Ringing in your Ears: Get Tinnitus Treatment Now
Top 5 Noise Cancelling Headphones
Sources:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/261616-vitamins-for-ringing-ears/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8639287
http://www.ehow.com/about_5468633_vitamins-tinnitus-relief.html
http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/zinc.php
A start-up of Ohio University is working on a new treatment for tinnitus symptoms; the device, similar to an iPod, will be a giant leap towards ending the constant ringing in the ears which tinnitus sufferers have to endure, according to many reports.
Sanuthera, Inc. is developing an MP3 device which includes a wireless pair of ear buds. Similar to other tinnitus maskers, this iPod-like device will allow tinnitus patients to program their own playlist of background environmental sounds which effectively block out the irritating buzzing, hissing or ringing noises characteristic of chronic tinnitus. Patients who wish to use this tinnitus retraining therapy will also receive counseling to help them learn how to focus on the white noise emitted from the wireless device and eventually train themselves to ignore the tinnitus ear ringing.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: the Sounds of Silence
How will this Sanuthera device differ from other tinnitus masking devices?
“Unlike many other tinnitus devices on the market, our sounds are not generated by the device, but stored on the device,” explains Sanuthera CEO Jeff DiGiovanni. Also, this device will also double as a hearing aid, making it a good option for people who suffer hearing loss and tinnitus. Sanuthera received $337,000 funding from TechGROWTH Ohio (TGO) towards development of a prototype of this tinnitus miracle cure.
DiGiovanni is hopeful that marketing for the tinnitus device will begin within a year.
What are the symptoms of tinnitus?
About 50 million Americans have experienced some form of tinnitus. Tinnitus is not a disease, but rather a condition in which sufferers hear an ongoing noise in one or both ears that is not relevant to any existing noise in the environment; only the tinnitus patient can hear the noise, which is usually described as ringing, buzzing, hissing, clicking, roaring, chirping or screaming. Tinnitus symptoms can be restricted to one ear, both ears at the same time, or may alternate between sides. The severity, pitch, volume and frequency of tinnitus symptoms vary according to the level of inner ear damage or In some cases tinnitus symptoms come and go, and in other situations the tinnitus noises are constant, often waking the chronic tinnitus sufferer in the middle of the night. Tinnitus sufferers often go through bouts of depression and anxiety as a result of loss of sleep and desperation at the lack of any long-term cure for tinnitus.
Tinnitus Symptoms Drive Many Sufferers to Suicide
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus correlates with a variety of underlying conditions, the most common being:
- Age-related hearing loss
- Noise-induced inner ear damage
- Puncturing of the eardrum
- Chronic ear infections
- Diseases such as Meniere’s disease
- Temporomandibular joint disorder- Is TMJ Causing Your Tinnitus? 7 Exercises to Release Jaw Tension
- Drug interactions, such as anti-inflammatories, birth control, antibiotics, quinine or antidepressants
- For more information about tinnitus causes, please read The Many Causes of Tinnitus.
Sources:
Organized Wisdom, Med City News, Ohio University, Ohio State University Medical Center
Tinnitus is a condition which causes constant ringing in the ears; while in some cases “phantom” tinnitus symptoms are neurologically based, other tinnitus causes involve tinnitus sounds which can be heard by a tinnitus specialist.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a hearing loss related disorder which affects millions of Americans. Although not a disease, tinnitus symptoms are caused by an underlying medical condition. Tinnitus sufferers hear constant ear ringing that is unrelated to any actual noise outside their bodies. Tinnitus sounds are described as ringing, clicking, roaring, buzzing or chirping sounds. Severity of the tinnitus symptoms determines the frequency, pitch and volume of the tinnitus noises.
What are the causes of tinnitus?
Tinnitus symptoms can arise from a variety of causes. In fact, there are hundreds of medications which are known to contribute to tinnitus.
Tinnitus is caused by:
- Age related hearing loss
- Noise induced damage to the inner ear, usually from long-term exposure to dangerously high noise levels, including loud music through iPod ear buds, manufacturing job shop noises, engines and explosions.
- Excessive ear wax
- Puncturing of the ear drum with a cotton swab or other foreign object
- Drug interactions, such as birth control, antibiotics, quinine, antidepressants and anti-inflammatories
- Medical conditions like Meniere’s disease, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) or chronic ear infections
- Also read: Which Came First- Tinnitus or Hearing Loss?
What is the difference between objective tinnitus and subjective tinnitus?
Subjective tinnitus emanates from the inner ear and is only heard by the tinnitus patient. Most cases of chronic tinnitus are subjective, and are believed to be caused by neurological disorders involving the cochlea of the inner ear and its communication with brain circuits which are responsible for interpreting sounds.
Objective tinnitus involves audible clicking sounds which are caused by bone structure near the inner ear. Tinnitus specialists are usually able to hear small noises caused by objective tinnitus. Objective tinnitus is the less common than subjective tinnitus.
Stop that Ringing in your Ears: Get Tinnitus Treatment Now
What tinnitus treatments are effective for curing tinnitus?
There are no known tinnitus cures which can stop tinnitus symptoms forever, but many promising herbs for tinnitus have been proven helpful for alleviating ear ringing and providing measured relief from chronic tinnitus.
- Ginkgo Biloba has been scientifically proved as an effective natural remedy for tinnitus, and is one of many nutrients which are combined in many tinnitus medications to treat the symptoms which cause tinnitus, such as high blood pressure, inflammation and constricted blood vessels.
- Tinnitus retraining therapy uses environmental background noise to banish tinnitus sounds. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: the Sounds of Silence
- Hearing aids help with tinnitus symptoms which are caused by hearing loss.
- Tinnitus maskers are wearable devices which provide tinnitus relief by competing with tinnitus ear ringing. Tinnitus Maskers: Relief is on the Way
- For more information on treatment of tinnitus, read The Many Causes of Tinnitus.
Sources:
Tinnitus sufferers know these symptoms all too well: constant buzzing, even in a “quiet” room, recurring crackling or clicking sounds in the head, anxiety, depression and difficulty relaxing and sleeping.
Often tinnitus is caused by ear damage due to exposure to loud sounds, frequent iPod earbud usage and in many cases, old age.
Below are some homeopathic remedies which are used to treat tinnitus:
- Ginkgo Biloba- Researchers have proven that ginkgo biloba leaf is beneficial for the treatment of tinnitus and other hearing-related illnesses. Scientists explain that the extract taken from the leaf of the ancient ginkgo biloba tree enhances blood flow to the ears, thus reducing some of the irritating buzzing sounds and clicks which accompany tinnitus. Ginkgo biloba extract is also used to treat attention deficit, depression, anxiety, dizziness and headaches.
- Lipoic acid- The antioxidant power of lipoic acid is known by medical practitioners who treat patients for cancer; its ability to enhance the free-radical-killing attributes in other antioxidants such as grape seed extract, making it a viable choice for warding off ear infections.
- Zinc- Otology and Neurotology published a report, The Role of Zinc in the Treatment of Tinnitus, which reveals a correlation between tinnitus symptoms and low zinc levels. Of the tinnitus who received zinc tablets, 82% reported a noticeable decrease in their symptoms.
- Black Cohosh- It is believed that tinnitus is sometimes caused by low serotonin; according to a University of Illinois study, chemicals found in this North American herb are beneficial for improving serotonin receptors.
- Ginger- Chinese healers used ginger extract for boosting the immune system; its powerful properties include improving circulation, decreasing nausea and destroying harmful bacteria and viruses which might damage hearing.
- Garlic- The antiseptic qualities in garlic are beneficial for generating circulation, killing harmful bacteria and boosting the immunity. Sufferers of tinnitus who experience frequent respiratory problems have found the severity of their symptoms reduced through supplementation of odorless garlic.
Sources:
Livestrong, National Institute of Health, Healing.About.com, American Cancer Society, Otology and Neurotology
Find your inner sanctum.
Tranquility with Tinnitus? Sounds like an oxymoron if there ever was one, but it’s no joke. Finding peace of mind with a constant ringing in your ear or some of the various other sounds associated with tinnitus might seem like a distant dream. Whooshing, clicks, cricket sounds- it seems like more than you can handle.
There might not be any outright cures for tinnitus in this day and age, but there are coping mechanisms to help you find peace of mind: meditation, homeopathic remedies…and faith.
Part I of Tranquility with Tinnitus will help you find your inner sanctuary from tinnitus using three relaxation techniques recommended by the Mayo Clinic.
Setting the Scenario
Begin by finding a nice warm, quiet room free of disturbances. If there is a telephone, disconnect it. Cover the television or computer with a small throw. Soften the lights, set up some soothing “white noise” like a gentle fan or relaxation CD. Take off your shoes, lay down on a mat or soft rug and begin…
1) Autogenic relaxation
Autogenic relaxation means looking inwards with your “third eye,” as it’s referred to in transcendental meditation.
- Slowly breathe in at the count of three;
- Hold the breathe for the count of three;
- Very slowly release your breathe at the count of six, imagining a balloon gently losing air through a pinhole.
- Concentrate on slowing your heartbeat.
- Make a mental checklist of any sensations, sounds or pains which are going through your body; recognize them, accept them and breathe towards them.
- Repeat a soothing mantra; use that mantra throughout the day anytime you feel stressed and feel and need to return to your “safe place.”
2) Progressive muscle relaxation
Progressive relaxation is a great way to give your muscles a massage from the inside. In times of acute anxiety a mini-PMR can be done inconspicuously at your desk or even while dining at a restaurant.
- Lie flat, getting yourself into a relaxed position.
- Will your muscles to let go, release tension.
- Direct your inner eye to your right foot; clench it tightly. Now, let go and feel the warmth as your muscles relax. Repeat with the left foot.
- Slowly and systematically work your way upwards, tightening and releasing your legs, abdominal muscles, chest, back, shoulders and arms.
- Much stress is stored in the head, so don’t neglect this vital area. Focus on your neck, jaws, cheeks, ears, eyes and forehead.
- Many find that PMR, with practice, brings on a deep sensation of euphoria and inner quietude.
3) Visualization
Another common practice is to use your imagination as a tool for relaxation; many meditation CD’s are available which will guide you through various exercises.
- Imagine yourself in your comfort zone; this could be anyplace that makes you feel happy and safe, such as the beach or a rustic woods. See the deep blue ocean, a purplish sunrise or emerald green pastures.
- Focus on all the sounds of your comfort zone; crashing waves, birds winging, etc.
- Now imagine tactile sensations, like the gentle breeze, woolly pine needles, or the warm sun on your face.
- Smell the salty ocean air or the deep incense of the forest.
Many tinnitus sufferers have found their symptoms lessened through practiced meditation. If you have a hectic schedule, try waking up a half-hour early and setting aside that time to meditate. Not only will it get your day off to a good start, it will also give you a sort of mental “home page” to go back to when things seem to be spiraling out of control.
Recommended reading: The Calm Technique: Meditation without Magic or Mysticism, by Paul Wilson
Sources:
Birmingham and District Tinnitus Group
The Journal of Noise & Health (February 2008) lists several causes of ear tinnitus and hearing loss among college students. Some of these are not well known.
One cause of ear tinnitus is occupational noise exposure. In the USA, the most common summer job among males under age 18 is construction. Many are not aware of the dangers of loud noise from electric drills and saws, and do not wear hearing protective devices (HPDs).
A second method of exposure to loud noise is from personal listening devices, such as iPods and car sound systems. Of course, music concerts and nightclubs are also responsible for causing ear tinnitus among this population.
Decibel levels (dBA) are measures of sound intensity. Personal stereo systems can generate noise levels 90 to 120 dBA. Sound levels from cars can be as high as 154 dBA. Sound levels in nightclubs can exceed 106 dBA, which unquestionably would cause tinnitus of the ear.
Rock concerts are able to boast sound levels of 110 to 115 dBA. Heavy metal concerts may reach as high as 125 dBA.
Ironically, health clubs are no safe haven for people trying to avoid ear tinnitus. The noise levels of music at American health clubs can reach as much as 106 dBA. Who would have ever thought that health clubs could be dangerous to your health?
We are the manufacturers of Tinnitus DX, a homeopathic supplement for tinnitus.
Second to noise, head and neck trauma is the next leading cause of tinnitus. Roadside bombs, commonly known as IED’s (improvised explosive devices), can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) accompanied by hearing loss and tinnitus. Consequently, many victims of traumatic brain injuries are soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
According to the Congressional Research Service, The Military Health System recorded 43,779 patients who were diagnosed with TBIs from 2003 to 2007.
The Brain:
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an object suddenly hits the head, and the force of the impact causes trauma to the brain. The degree of damage can be mild, moderate or severe. Symptoms of a TBI can include temporary or prolonged loss of consciousness, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing of the ears, loss of balance, impaired memory and concentration. Someone with a severe TBI may experience convulsions, seizures or death.
Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death for people younger than 45 years old.
Treatment for a TBI can involve surgery to remove hematomas (blood clots), surgery to repair broken bones, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and possibly treatment by a psychologist and/or psychiatrist.
There is ongoing research about the mechanism of TBIs, and how to help speed up recovery among its victims.
What is the connection between traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and tinnitus?
In an article by Marsha Johnson, M.S., CCC-A, Marsha cites Dr. Dennis Fitzgerald, who states that head trauma causes bleeding on the surface of the brain and brain stem. This bleeding, in turn, causes damage to the cochlea, the inner ear. The cochlea is a delicate maze that contains membranes and sacs filled with different fluids. It is theorized that a leakage of fluids in any of these sacs can cause hearing loss and tinnitus.
The Ear:
It is also possible that the force of the impact from the trauma can cause leakage of fluids from different sacs in the cochlea.
In his article (The Washington Post; 3/10/2009), Tom Wilkinson tells the story of Captain Nathan Green, who was the victim of a roadside bomb/IED. Captain Green suffered a traumatic brain injury, and as a result, “hears the high-pitched whine and static buzz of an AM radio. All the time.”
The sound that Nathan Green does not exist outside of his head. It is generated by his brain. This is tinnitus.
Other sounds created by the brain are ringing, hissing, chirping or buzzing.
Tinnitus can interrupt a person’s sleep, ability to concentrate and participate in social situations.
The connection between traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and tinnitus is still not completely clear. It has been recommended by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that more research be conducted in this area, in light of the fact that the nature of the current war and the high incidence of IEDs translates into an increasing number of soldiers experiencing TBIs. Of these, a substantial number will subsequently suffer from tinnitus.
For those servicemen suffering from tinnitus, there is Tinnitus Dx, a homeopathic remedy for tinnitus.
Tinnitus Causes
The exact physiological cause or causes of tinnitus are not known. There are, however, several likely sources, all of which are known to trigger or worsen tinnitus.
- Noise-induced hearing loss – Exposure to loud noises can damage and even destroy hair cells, called cilia, in the inner ear. Once damaged, these hair cells cannot be renewed or replaced. Hearing loss can also be caused by excessive noise exposure. Coincidentally, up to 90 percent of all tinnitus patients have some level of hearing loss.
- Wax build-up in the ear canal – The amount of wax ears produce varies by individual. Sometimes, people produce enough wax that their hearing can be compromised or their tinnitus can seem louder. If you produce a lot of earwax, speak to your physician about having excess wax removed manually-not with a cotton swab, but by an otolaryngologist (also called an ear, nose, and throat doctor).
- Certain medications – Some medications are ototoxic-that is, the medications are toxic to the ear. Other medications will produce tinnitus as a side effect without damaging the inner ear. Effects, which can depend on the dosage of the medication, can be temporary or permanent. Before taking any medication, make sure that your prescribing physician is aware of your tinnitus, and discuss alternative medications that may be available.
- Ear or sinus infections – Many people, including children, experience tinnitus along with an ear or sinus infection. Generally, the tinnitus will lessen and gradually go away once the infection is healed.
- Jaw misalignment – Some people have misaligned jaw joints or jaw muscles, which can not only induce tinnitus, but also affect cranial muscles and nerves and shock absorbers in the jaw joint. Many dentists specialize in this temporomandibular jaw misalignment and can provide assistance with treatment.
- Cardiovascular disease – Approximately 3 percent of tinnitus patients experience pulsatile tinnitus; people with pulsatile tinnitus typically hear a rhythmic pulsing, often in time with a heartbeat. Pulsatile tinnitus can indicate the presence of a vascular condition-where the blood flow through veins and arteries is compromised-like a heart murmur, hypertension, or hardening of the arteries.
- Certain types of tumors – Very rarely, people have a benign and slow-growing tumor on their auditory, vestibular, or facial nerves. These tumors can cause tinnitus, deafness, facial paralysis, and loss of balance.
- Head and neck trauma – Physical trauma to the head and neck can induce tinnitus. Other symptoms include headaches, vertigo, and memory loss.
- Certain disorders, such as hypo- or hyperthroidism, lyme disease, fibromyalgia, and throacic outlet syndrome, can have tinnitus as a symptom. When tinnitus is a symptom of another disorder, treating the disorder can help alleviate the tinnitus.
