Want to know how to cure tinnitus with acupressure? It’s not complicated, and you don’t need a Chinese acupuncture degree. Your body contains dozens of pressure points that can cure symptoms like tinnitus ear ringing, head fullness, ear pain, headaches, and respiratory infections. With this handy acupressure point roadmap, even you can access some of the most widely used tinnitus acupressure points for making the ringing in the ears go away for good.
Because Chinese medicine treats the body as a whole organism, rather than treating one symptom at a time, acupressure points that cure tinnitus can be found in all corners of your body- your feet, abdomen, wrist, back, and head all have specific grid points that when triggered will cure whatever ailments are causing your tinnitus.
Acupuncturists use needles to access these powerful pressure points, but you can easily balance your qi (energy) and cure tinnitus in the comfort of your own home by gently massaging the following acupressure zones:
Bai Hui “Hundred Convergences”
GV 20 is one of the most potent acupressure points in Chinese medicine; it is called the “Hundred Convergences” because the ancient Chinese believed it was capable of curing 100 diseases. In addition to treating tinnitus, you may also cure neurological and emotional disorders by stimulating Bai Hui.
Some symptoms that may be treated by accessing your Bai Hui are:
- Tinnitus ear ringing
- Migraine headache
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Fatigue
- “Brain fog”
- Eye pain
- Anxiety
- Hypertension
- Seizures
To locate your Bai Hui, imagine a line running on top of your head, forward to back, between your ears, sort of like a Mohawk. The point that is directly on top of your head in the middle is your Bai Hui.
Feng Chi “Wind Pool”
GB 20 is another powerful point for curing illnesses of the head like tinnitus and headaches.
Some symptoms that may be treated by accessing your Feng Chi are:
- Tinnitus
- Headaches
- Stiff neck
- Twitching
- Ear fullness
- Ear pain
- Paralysis
- Numbness
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
Feng Chi is located at the nape of your neck. To start, place both hands behind your head and use both thumbs to find the soft spot at the base of your skull. Now, gently walk each thumb apart until you find depressions that are adjacent to your large neck muscles. Press each thumb inwards, towards your eyes.
Ting Gong “Auditory Palace”
SI 19 is used in Chinese medicine to calm the spirit and treat ear problems, including tinnitus and deafness.
Some symptoms that may be treated by accessing your Ting Gong are:
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss
- Ear discharge
- Ear pain
- TMJ pain
- Toothache
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Seizures
Ting Gong is located in the hollow directly in front of each ear. To access, open your mouth, and feel the depression where your jaws meet.
Ting Hui “Auditory Convergence”
GB 2 particularly helpful for treating all ailments related to the ear such as tinnitus and hearing loss.
Some symptoms that may be treated by accessing your Ting Hui are:
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss
- Ear itching
- Ear fullness
- Ear pain
- Ear discharge
- Toothache
- TMJ pain
- Headache
Ting Hui is located directly below your Ting Gong acupressure point.
Shuai Gu “Leading Valley”
GB 8 is beneficial for treating damage caused by toxins. This is especially helpful for curing tinnitus caused by long-time use of painkillers, antidepressants, birth control, and quinine.
Some symptoms that may be treated by accessing your Shuai Gu are:
- Tinnitus ear ringing
- Ear fullness
- Head heaviness
- Facial pain
- Vertigo
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Migraines
- One-sided headaches
- Visual distortions
Shuai Gu is located directly above your ear.
Please tell us…
Have you used acupuncture or acupressure for curing tinnitus ear ringing?
Do you believe that using natural supplements can reduce tinnitus triggers, when used in conjunction with acupressure for tinnitus?
As always, we welcome your comments!
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Read more about natural tinnitus cures:
Top 17 Tinnitus Treatments- Have you tried all of these?
Acupuncture as a Remedy for Tinnitus
Sources:
If you have tinnitus, you’ll try almost anything to stop the constant ringing in the ears; have you ever considered weight loss as a tinnitus cure? Scientists who saw a link between intracranial hypertension and morbid obesity wondered if weight loss surgery might be the answer to finding the elusive cure for tinnitus…reduced ear ringing through weight loss.
Who’re you calling idiopathic?
If you’ve been suffering from tinnitus for many years, it is possible that you have what’s called “idiopathic intracranial hypertension,” or pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), which is a buildup of cerebrospinal fluids surrounding the brain, causing immense pressure. It sounds scarier than it is. “Idiopathic” means that they don’t know what causes it, and “pseudotumor” refers to the fact that it causes the same symptoms as a tumor, only without the tumor.
Pseudotumor cerebri is characterized as a neurological disorder because of the effect that the intracranial pressure has on the cerebral nerves.
Intracranial hypertension, meet tinnitus
There are many symptoms associated with pseudotumor cerebri, and pulsatile tinnitus (whooshing sounds in the ear that correlate with your heartbeat) is one of them. There are many causes of tinnitus, from ear damage to chemical poisoning, but pulsatile tinnitus is specifically caused by brain blood vessels that become swollen, triggering the cranial nerves into producing ear ringing and pounding sounds in the ear that are in time with your heartbeat.
What are the symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri?
Symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri are often worsened by frequent coughing and sneezing.
Here are the most common symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri (PTC):
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Pulsatile tinnitus
- Numbness in the hands and feet
- Muscular feebleness, including facial muscles
- Altered sense of smell
- Disorientation
- Double vision
- Untreated, may lead to vision loss
Intracranial hypertension, meet obesity
Although scientists are not certain as to the exact cause of pseudotumor cerebri, they have acknowledged some high correlations in people with morbid obesity and tinnitus. Many studies have been conducted linking elevated cerebrospinal fluid with severe headaches, pulsatile tinnitus, and morbid obesity.
Also, it has been proven that losing weight relieves pseudotumor cerebri and the symptoms of pulsatile tinnitus at the same time, as evidenced by this study:
- Sixteen women who suffered from morbid obesity and pulsatile tinnitus underwent weight loss surgery for this study.
- The body mass indexes (BMIs) of the study participants ranged from 33 to 70, with 45 being the median.
- Healthy BMI levels are between 18.5 and 24.9, with 30 and above signifying morbid obesity.
- Following weight loss surgery, the women who participated in this study lost between 55 and 218 pounds, averaging about 100 pounds per person in weight loss.
- The average weight for each tinnitus sufferer following surgery was 165 pounds.
- Before the weight loss surgery, average cerebrospinal fluid pressure measured at 344 mm H2O.
- After receiving weight loss surgery, tinnitus patients saw an average decrease in cerebrospinal fluid pressure by 198 mm H2O.
- Out of the 16 patients, 13 reported a complete cessation of pulsatile tinnitus symptoms.
- Only three patients continued to suffer from pulsatile tinnitus, even though they lost a significant amount of weight.
- Scientists concluded that losing weight is effective at relieving pulsatile tinnitus and pseudotumor cerebri.
What else can I do to relieve cerebrospinal fluid pressure?
If going in for weight loss surgery is not an option, there are other effective and noninvasive ways to reduce or completely alleviate tinnitus symptoms.
- Lose weight naturally. What many people don’t realize when considering weight loss surgery is that you will still have to dedicate yourself to adhering to a strict diet. So why not bypass the gastric bypass, and lose weight the good old-fashioned way? Scientifically speaking, if you expend more energy than you put in, then you will lose weight. Exercise more, and count your calories by following a food diary, many of which are available free online or via iTunes.
- Limit salt. Salt is known to cause swelling, and by limiting your salt intake, you decrease your chances for suffering from stroke, heart attack, and tinnitus.
- Try natural supplements. Many vitamins, herbs, and holistic medicines are helpful for alleviating tinnitus by reducing blood pressure. Some good ones to try are ginkgo biloba, black cohosh, Coffea cruda, and Carbo vegetabilis.
Please tell us…
Would you consider having weight loss surgery, if you thought it would cure you of your tinnitus?
What methods have you tried to cure tinnitus?
What about homeopathic and alternative medicine- have you explored the options of natural remedies for tinnitus?
If you have anything to add, please feel free to comment below. We welcome your suggestions or questions!
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Thank you!
Read more about tinnitus cures:
Top 17 Tinnitus Treatments- Have you tried all of these?
Finding Tranquility with Tinnitus, Part II: Homeopathy
Magnet Therapy a No-Go for Tinnitus Ringing in Ears
Sources:
Gastric surgery for pseudotumor cerebri associated with severe obesity- PubMed, NCBI
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
Loud Music Causes Ringing in the Ears
Most folks don’t know they’re getting tinnitus until it’s too late; tinnitus symptoms such as ear ringing and hearing loss don’t show themselves until the ear damage is done.
Causes of tinnitus vary, but one of the most common culprits is noise. If you’re in the habit of sticking in your earbuds, clicking on your iTunes playlist and turning up the volume to 10, you may pay for it later. Excessively loud music has been known to cause severe inner ear damage, which leads to tinnitus and hearing loss. And while there are some effective treatments for tinnitus, a tinnitus cure is still far off on the horizon. Celebrities Raise Tinnitus Awareness
How do you know if the volume’s too high?
So, what’s considered a healthy volume for listening to your iPod? The median point on the volume knob is usually the safest. Between 1 and 10, you should limit yourself to 5, which, for most MP3 players, equals about 80 decibels. Anything louder than that, and you’re likely to permanently injure the delicate cells of the cochlea, which are located deep inside the inner ear, and is crucial for proper sound perception. Are iPods Ruining Your Ears?
A good test to see if you’re listening to your music too loud is this: have a friend speak to you in a normal voice while you’re listening to music on your headphones. If you are able to clearly hear and comprehend what your friend is saying, then you’re in the clear. If your friend has to scream in order to be heard (isn’t that usually the case?) then you need to tone it down.
Give your ears a break
According to some research, the amount of time you spend listening to music on headphones is also important. People who listen to MP3 players for over an hour per day usually suffer some form of irreversible hearing loss, over the course of 5 years. So limit the amount of time you spend listening to tunes through headphones, even if the volume is at a healthy limit. Phil Collins Calling it Quits Due to Hearing Loss
Still not convinced?
For a brief demonstration of what hearing loss really sounds like, watch this YouTube video:
More good reads about tinnitus and hearing loss:
Noise ‘n Toys: Can they Cause Hearing Loss in Children?
British Singer Frightened by Tinnitus Symptoms
Coming Soon: iPod Device to Treat Tinnitus
Gear Up to Prevent Hearing Loss: Five Things you Should Buy Now
Sources:
Millions of Americans suffer from tinnitus, a condition which is described as constant ringing in the ears. No tinnitus cure exists, but some remedies and life changes are helpful for coping with tinnitus symptoms.
This year, Tinnitus Awareness Week falls on May 15-21.
About 50 million Americans experience tinnitus hearing loss, but not all of them realize it or are bothered by it. The severity of tinnitus symptoms can range according to the level of ear damage or neurological disorder. Some tinnitus patients may report a mild buzzing in one ear, while chronic tinnitus sufferers may be plagued with loud phantom tinnitus noises in one or both ears. Frequency, volume and pitch differs by patient, as well as the type of sound described by various sufferers.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: the Sounds of Silence
Noises which have been attributed to tinnitus symptoms include:
- ringing
- screeching
- buzzing
- whooshing
- roaring
- chirping
- clicking
- hissing
Another phenomenon associated with tinnitus are auditory hallucinations, or musical ear syndrome, which have been described as familiar singing or speech sounds when none exist. Tinnitus patients have admitted to noticing and sometimes enjoying musical interludes, only to discover later that it was all in their heads. It’s important to note that these phantom sounds are neurologically based, and not in any way a symptom of mental illness.
Objective Tinnitus: It’s Not All in your Head
How is tinnitus caused?
Most people think that tinnitus and other hearing-related disorders are symptoms of old age; this is often the case, but a significant percentage of hearing loss also exists among children and young adults.
Besides hearing loss among the elderly, tinnitus symptoms are also caused by:
- Inner ear damage caused by loud noises and frequent in-ear headphone usage
- Chronic ear infections
- Jaw strain
- Drug interactions
- Eardrum damage caused by cotton swabs or other foreign objects
- Meniere’s disease
- Premature birth
- Excess earwax
- Family history
How can I prevent tinnitus?
Most of the causes of tinnitus are avoidable. Some good preventative measures go a long way towards preventing tinnitus and other forms of hearing loss.
- Always wear ear protection if you work in a noisy environment or attend frequent concerts.
- Wear swimmer’s ear plugs.
- Avoid in-ear style ear buds when listening to music.
- Keep the volume at a moderate level.
- Consult in your doctor before trying any new pain medications.
- Clean ears frequently by wiping with a soft cloth.
- Never stick cotton swabs or other pointy objects in your ears.
- Practice relaxation methods to avoid jaw tension.
5 Mistakes Tinnitus Sufferers Make
Confused about how much noise is considered too loud?
The NIDCD (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders) offers a handy Interactive Sound Ruler on their website to help you understand the difference between healthy volumes and eardrum-splitting noise decibel levels.
For more information on tinnitus, read:
When Children Suffer Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
Coming Soon: iPod Device to Treat Tinnitus
Sources:
http://pain.com/library/2011/05/16-tinnitus-awareness-week/
http://www.hearinglosshelp.com/articles/mes.htm
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/education/decibel/decibel.asp
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:
Scientists have been trying to develop a tinnitus cure for the characteristically annoying ringing in the ears associated with tinnitus practically since the first caveman clubbed himself on top of the head to stop tinnitus buzzing sounds from driving him crazy. Over the years, some promising tinnitus remedies have given tinnitus sufferers relief, but as of yet no actual tinnitus cure exists to permanently stop tinnitus in its tracks.
Enter melatonin.
According to a study, researchers from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis found a correlation between the melatonin hormone and decreased tinnitus symptoms. Melatonin is produced by the brain to regulate our sleeping patterns; doctors often prescribe melatonin pills for patients with sleep disorders such as insomnia. Scientists believe that by guaranteeing a better night’s sleep, melatonin has the potential to significantly help tinnitus patients.
What are the symptoms of tinnitus?
Tinnitus is not a disease, but rather a hearing-related condition which affects millions of Americans. Tinnitus symptoms are constant noises in the ears, unrelated to any actual noises in the environment, and not heard by anybody else. These tinnitus “phantom” sounds are described as ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, chirping or screaming noises. Volume and frequency can vary in relation to the severity of the condition. Some tinnitus causes are old age, noise-induced inner ear damage, drug interactions and chronic ear infections.
Research points to melatonin for tinnitus treatment
- The study, which was published in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, focused on 18 elderly individuals who suffered from chronic tinnitus symptoms.
- Participants were questioned about the severity of their tinnitus symptoms and their regular sleep patterns.
- Scientists prescribed 3mg. of melatonin every day over the course of 4 weeks.
- Tinnitus patients were monitored during the 4 week course of melatonin, and for an additional 4 weeks following treatment.
- All of the elderly tinnitus patients reported that they slept better while taking the melatonin pills and also experienced fewer and less severe tinnitus ringing in the ears.
- Even 4 weeks after stopping the melatonin medication, participants said they continued to enjoy significant tinnitus relief, leading researchers to conclude that prescribing melatonin as a tinnitus medication could have some long-lasting benefits as a remedy for tinnitus caused by poor sleep.
5 Mistakes Tinnitus Sufferers Make
Stop the tinnitus circle
Constant ringing in the ears, clicking and buzzing sounds, and ear discomfort can make it difficult to get to sleep. Tinnitus patients often report become woken up in the middle of the night by loud roaring sounds; by morning they are fatigued and restless. Chronic tinnitus sufferers go through stages of deep depression, resulting from lack of sleep and desperation at not being able to find a cure for the tinnitus symptoms that torment them. Poor sleep leads to nervousness and anxiety, which in turn heighten the severity of the tinnitus symptoms, and the circle continues.
6 Anxiety Busting Tricks- Try Them Now!
While melatonin pills are helpful for providing more restful sleep to tinnitus patients, only a reduction of the symptoms which cause the tinnitus can effectively alleviate tinnitus for good. Exercise, meditation, and tinnitus retraining therapy have been proven beneficial for providing tinnitus relief. Also, increasing blood flow to the brain and flushing toxins are essential steps towards alleviating tinnitus. Dietary supplements containing vinpocetine, Alpha Lipoic Acid, niacin and folic acid have been tested by scientists and proven to be effective tinnitus remedies.
Also read:
Stop that Ringing in your Ears: Get Tinnitus Treatment Now
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: the Sounds of Silence
Sources:
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
While there is no cure for tinnitus or hearing loss, there are a number of tinnitus treatment options which can provide some relief to chronic tinnitus sufferers from the constant ringing in the ears, nagging internal noises and some of the hearing loss symptoms associated with tinnitus. Popular tinnitus treatments include homeopathic medicines such as the natural remedies formulated by tinnitusdx, sound therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, laser treatment and tinnitus masking devices.
Gear Up to Prevent Hearing Loss: Five Things you Should Buy Now
Some chronic tinnitus sufferers have so much difficulty tuning out continuous ear ringing or buzzing that they find that they are unable to tolerate any extraneous noise of any kind, regardless of the extent of its loudness; chronic tinnitus sufferers have difficulty concentrating on work or studies, and everyday situations like shopping for groceries in a bustling supermarket become torturous, stressful tasks. Many sink into depression or contemplate suicide. For tinnitus patients who find that their symptoms are interfering with their everyday life, audiologists often recommend a tinnitus masker.
What are tinnitus maskers?
A tinnitus masker is a device which one wears, similar to a hearing aid, and which delivers a steady stream of broadband white environmental noise; tinnitus sufferers have found that listening to certain sounds like running water, raindrops, or ocean waves as background noise help them tune out the annoying ringing, buzzing, clicking or whooshing sounds typical of chronic tinnitus; the sound of rushing water masks humming sounds, or even high pitch ringing. Tinnitus maskers effectively hush the constant internal ear sounds; masking devices can be worn on the ear or played through a CD player.
Tinnitus symptoms come in varying ranges of loudness, pitch, sound type and frequency; tinnitus masking devices can be programmed, in order to better treat the different needs of tinnitus suffers and effectively mask competing tinnitus noise.
10 Ways to Mask Tinnitus inside your Home Without Hearing Aids
A hearing test and diagnosis of tinnitus or other hearing loss from an ASHA-certified audiologist is required in order to purchase a tinnitus masker; a trained audiologist can go over your treatment options with you and help you choose a remedy which best meets your needs.
More information on tinnitus treatments can be found by visiting the American Tinnitus Association website.
Sources:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Better Hearing Institute, eHealthMD, American Tinnitus Association
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
