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
Have researchers discovered a tinnitus cure which will put an end to chronic ear ringing? Scientists from the University of Western Australia (UWA) believe they hit upon a promising link to the symptoms of tinnitus.
Tinnitus is a hearing loss related condition which causes sufferers to hear constant ringing in the ears; sounds described as buzzing, sirens, clicking, whooshing and chirping have no relevance to any real existing noise. Severity of the tinnitus symptoms vary by pitch, volume and frequency. A tinnitus specialist must administer a hearing test in order to properly diagnose tinnitus. In certain situations, hearing aids equipped with background white noise are prescribed to alleviate some of the tinnitus symptoms, if not actually curing the tinnitus for life.
Also read: Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: the Sounds of Silence
Tinnitus is caused by age-related hearing loss, inner ear damage to the cochlea, excessive noise exposure, chronic ear infections and drug interactions. While scientists understand many of the basic causes of tinnitus, experts are still at a loss to understand exactly how tinnitus symptoms are produced.
There is now ample scientific research pointing to a particular set of nerve cells which controls how we perceive sound; scientists from UWA believe they are closer to understanding which part of the brain correlates with abnormal nerve cell activity responsible for causing hearing loss and tinnitus; a section of the brain previously ignored as a possible clue to finding a long-term cure for tinnitus.
Relying on an animal model which can be used to replicate tinnitus symptoms and monitor brain activity, researchers hope to link increased electrical behavior in a specific point of the brain’s circuitry with a direct cause for tinnitus and other ear problems. If successful, this discovery could open the door to developing a more effective tinnitus remedy.
Also read: Stop that Ringing in your Ears: Get Tinnitus Treatment Now
Associate Professor Wilhelmina Mulders, co-author of the study said, “If we can establish a direct link between this increased brain cell activity and tinnitus we may be able to move a step closer to finding a way to treat tinnitus.”
Their research is published in a paper, entitled Hyperactivity in the Ventral Cochlear Nucleus after Cochlear Trauma, was published in the Journal of Neuroscience.
Also read:
Objective Tinnitus: It’s Not All in your Head
Anxiety and the Brain: Stanford Study Discovers Off Switch
Sources:
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.
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Do you suffer from tinnitus ringing in the ears? Before you can get tinnitus treatment, you must visit the doctor for a hearing test, as a common cause of tinnitus symptoms is hearing loss.
What are the symptoms of tinnitus?
Tinnitus symptoms are characterized by incessant noises in one or both ears that are not caused by any actual noise around you, nor are heard by anybody else. Sufferers of tinnitus usually describe the sounds they hear as ringing in the ears, but tinnitus symptoms can vary. Other tinnitus patients complain of constant roaring, whooshing, clicking, whistling, chirping or buzzing sounds in their ears. Other factors can vary according to the severity of the tinnitus symptoms, including noise frequency, volume or pitch of tinnitus sounds. Also, the condition can occur in one ear only, or both ears at once, or it can fluctuate between ears. It is not uncommon for a tinnitus sufferer to go through phases when the tinnitus symptoms are inactive, only to resurface later. Occasionally a person will experience the symptoms of tinnitus only once in his entire lifetime.
What causes tinnitus?
About 50 million people in the US have experienced or currently suffer from tinnitus symptoms. Tinnitus is not a disease, but rather a hearing loss-related condition which happens as a result of contributing factors or causes. Tinnitus can occur in old age, and frequently is accompanied or followed by hearing loss. However, tinnitus symptoms can also be caused by inner ear damage. The cochlea of the inner ear is responsible for translating sound signals, so any significant damage to the inner ear canal can result in tinnitus symptoms and hearing loss.
Examples of inner ear damage which can cause tinnitus ear ringing are:
- Puncturing of the eardrum with cotton swabs or other hard, pointy objects
- Noise-related ear damage caused by in-ear iPod ear buds, exposure to loud special effects, engines, machinery or concert music
- Chronic ear infections
- Meniere’s disease
Sometimes tinnitus is caused by drug interactions, such as anti-inflammatories, birth control, antibiotics or quinine medication. Always tell you doctor if you think a new medication might be giving you tinnitus symptoms.
How do you get treatment for tinnitus?
See a physician if you are experiencing any consistent ringing in the ears. An ENT or audiologist can give you a proper diagnosis. According to most scientists, there is no actual cure for tinnitus, but some treatment options are available. Tinnitus maskers are helpful for reducing some of the tinnitus noises; tinnitus retraining therapy involves wearing a noise generator which produces a competing sound, such as environmental noise, thereby “shushing” the tinnitus ringing noises. Tinnitus sufferers have also found relief by practicing meditation, yoga and visualization.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: the Sounds of Silence
Much research has been done on the health benefits of gingko biloba for tinnitus and hearing loss symptoms. Gingko biloba has been used for hundreds of years to treat depression, fatigue and dementia. Because it increases blood flow, gingko biloba is also effective for treating hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches and other conditions which are caused when constricted blood vessels restrict blood flow through the head.
A list of other popular tinnitus treatments are available on the American Tinnitus Association website.
Also read:
Thrill Rides and Scuba Diving: Summertime Activities that Cause Tinnitus
When Children Suffer Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
Sources:
American Tinnitus Association, MedicineNet, Mayo Clinic
Many tinnitus sufferers find comfort in playing some pleasing background music or sound effects in their homes; nature CD’s, indoor water fountains and white noise generating machines mask much of the pervasive crackling or rushing sounds which remain with them throughout their days and nights, making it difficult to rest or concentrate on work.
Some expensive hearing aid “masking” systems are available which produce a steady stream of white noise. Not sure if you’re ready for hearing aids or cochlear implants? Here are some popular and inexpensive alternatives:
- The soothing, nondescript sound produced by white noise generators reduces the buzzing, ringing and chirping noises which are typical tinnitus symptoms. Some models to look out for: Simply Noise, which is available as an iPhone or Android app, or Brookstone’s Tranquil Moments Sleep Sound Therapy System. She’ll love the ultra-feminine HoMedics SoundSpa Mini Pink Sound Machine, available at Walmart.
HoMedics SoundSpa Mini Pink Sound Machine
- Animated dolphins leap through lush waterfalls in this animated 3D wall decor; both captivating and calming to watch, features realistic sound and light effects, and volume and lighting control.
- Set your screensaver to an idyllic scene with melodic sound effects; the 3D Fantasy River Screensaver creates the illusion of splashing in a rippling creek with the forest as your backdrop, including realistic water movements and enchanting melody.
- Nothing is more relaxing than the sedate sound of water running over smooth stones. Set up an indoor water fountain in your bedroom for a lulling atmosphere conducive to restful sleep.
- Who says wind chimes are only for the outdoors? Hang one of these exotic bamboo wind chimes by an open window; the soft jingly effects will set a tranquil mood throughout your home. Made from non-endangered wood, hand-crafted in Bali. Choose one of many whimsical designs, such as the Asian bobbing-head crane, cowboy hat mobile or tubes painted with colorful butterflies.
Cohasset Blue Butterfly 13 Inch Wind Chime
- Do you enjoy falling asleep to the sound of rain tapping overhead? No need to wait for the next thunderstorm; download your own custom sound effects onto your iPod or smart phone. Partners in Rhyme lets you choose from a vast library of royalty-free, cost-free ambient sound effects, such as Rain & Thunder, City Sounds and more.
- Unwind while listening to one of these Soothing Sounds of Nature CD’s; listen to tropical waves or the sounds of the forest while driving or relaxing at home.
- Wake up to the Nature Sound 7 Color Changing Light Alarm Clock, featuring 6 different nature sounds, 7 vibrant color-changing lights and snooze control.
Nature Sound 7 Color Changing Light Alarm Clock
- The BBC Planet Earth Collection takes you through mountain forests, bubbling rivers, arid deserts, polar ice floes and balmy jungles- all to the hauntingly dramatic soundtrack composed by George Fenton and the BBC Orchestra.
- Various You Tube videos are available to set the mood for tranquility; this Gentle Rain video features rushing waterfalls and soft narration:
Image Credits:
HoMedics SoundSpa Mini Pink Sound Machine
Music legend Phil Collins, renowned former lead singer of Genesis and accomplished musical choreographer, is stepping off the stage of his career. The 60-year-old performer has announced that health problems, including hearing loss, have made it impossible for him to continue as a musician.
Phil Collins on the cover of Rolling Stone
Did chronic noise exposure make the music die?
Your ears can only handle so much stimulation; hearing loss and tinnitus, a condition where sufferers hear a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears, are common ailments of musicians, as exposure to unhealthy levels of decibels is one of their occupational hazards. Jam sessions, never-ending concert line-ups and frequent iPod ear bud usage all account for irreversible damage to the cochlea in the inner ear.
Celebrities raise tinnitus awareness
How much is too much?
The National Institutes of Health define noise induced hearing loss as damage done to the ears as a result of constant exposure to loud noises greater than 75 decibels. Comparatively, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets a safety standard of no more than 110 decibels. Musicians, stunt men and individuals who have served in the army or the air force are constantly exposed to decibels much greater than the amount advised by health experts; as a result they are most likely to suffer from irreversible hearing loss and tinnitus.
How can we protect our hearing and avoid the symptoms of tinnitus?
- If you work in an setting which requires constant exposure to loud noises, be vigilant about wearing protective earplugs.
- Avoid wearing iPod ear buds; opt instead for volume-controlled safe headphones which can be purchased on the internet.
- Listen to music on a moderate setting.
- Turn off the television or radio when not engaged; don’t be tempted to keep them on as “background noise.”
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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
Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from tinnitus, a constant buzzing, roaring or chirping sound in the inner or outer ear. While some head noise is normal, individuals with severe tinnitus are plagued with incessant babble throughout their day. Routine activities such as checking one’s email and driving to the market become unbearably difficult and full of distractions. Many patients of this incurable disease fall into bouts of anxiety and depression.
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus is often caused by exposure to loud noises; musicians and army soldiers make up for a large percentage of its patients. Health experts predict an increase in tinnitus and other hearing-related diseases as a result of the popularity of noise-cancelling iPod earbuds which produce unhealthy levels of noise waves and may cause permanent ear damage.
Musicians warn teens to lower the volume
Most people are unaware of this affliction; many probably have it and didn’t realize they were not alone. Celebrities such as Wil.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and William Shatner are trying to change all that.
Wil.i.am told the Sun that music is his only escape from the constant ringing of tinnitus; much of his success can be attributed to his inability to slow down.
Music is his only escape
“I don’t know what silence sounds like any more. Music is the only thing which eases my pain,” says the singer for the Black Eyed Peas.
Jack Black, famous for his rowdy rocker persona, also warns teens to protect their hearing in this YouTube video:
Heavy metal drummer Lars Ulrich of Metallica, who also suffers from tinnitus, delivers his speech on hearing loss in this video funded by H.E.A.R:
The Tinnitus Foundation released this montage of famous people with tinnitus, including Pete Townshend, David Letterman, Barbra Streisand and Ronald Reagan.
William Shatner and co-star Leonard Nimoy were often exposed to loud eruptions on the sets of the Star Trek films. In his video for the American Tinnitus Association, William Shatner describes an explosion during filming which forever altered his hearing ability.
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
More people are sticking things into their ears than ever before.
Specifically, I’m referring to canal-filling ear buds, Bluetooth devices and noise-cancelling headphones. Yes, even 75-year-old grandmothers can be seen chatting away on their cell phones while picking up a latte on the way to their bingo tournaments. And no strangers to technology are your average kindergarteners. Witness the latest Monkey Preschool Lunchbox app on iTunes:
It’s the auditory equivalent of jabbing a q-tip in your ears.
Experts are warning people to throw away the ear bud devices which come with every iPod. According to hear-it.org, more people are suffering from hearing loss and tinnitus than ever before, and at an earlier age than previously recorded; you don’t need to look much further than your own handheld smartphone to see why. Technology produces headsets that are louder, longer-lasting and more powerful, promising consumers a completely sound-proof vacuum of telephonic paradise.
Hearing damage is irreversible.
Hurting your ears isn’t like breaking a bone that can be repaired. Once you’ve damaged the tiny “hair cells” in the ear’s cochlea the damage is permanent, as your body is not able to regenerate new cells. Many people who are exposed loud noises in the workplace experience lifelong hearing loss and tinnitus.
How cool is that?
Not too cool.
Take it from pop/rock stars such as will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and Lars Ulrich of Metallica, who have been reaching out to teens and warning them to prevent hearing loss and tinnitus. Says will.i.am regarding the constant ringing he has in his ears as a result of tinnitus,”I don’t know what silence sounds like any more. Music is the only thing which eases my pain.”
Ginkgo biloba is often used to treat tinnitus.
How loud is too loud?
One hour of iPod music in the range of 110-120 decibels causes the same amount of damage as a rock concert. Comparatively, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets a safety standard of no more than 110 dBA, 30 minutes per day, while the typical preteen listens mp3 music for several hours every day.
What are your alternatives?
Safe headphones may be purchased online. IHearSafe uses Safe Volume technology and guarantees their headphones will never go over 85 decibels, regardless of setting.
What are some good treatments for tinnitus?
Sufferers of tinnitus have found some relief through breathing exercises, stress management, acupuncture and supplements such as Tinnitus DX.
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