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
Tinnitus been keeping you up nights? The constant ringing, whispering, or buzzing is enough to drive anybody mad. While it is not a disease (medically speaking, tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying condition), and there is no actual “cure” for tinnitus, there are remedies and strategies which are available to help you cope or reduce your tinnitus symptoms.
Before you visit an audiologist, determine that the cause of your tinnitus is not a result of actual ear damage; the following checklist will help you decide if a trip to the doctor’s office is necessary:
- Cut out caffeinated products.
- Remove earwax with hydrogen peroxide or over-the-counter earwax removal systems.
- Quit smoking, at least long enough to see if tinnitus symptoms disappear. (You might even decide to stay smoke-free!)
- If noise exposure is a part of your work environment, remember to wear ear plugs.
- Try relaxing; sometimes tinnitus is caused by excess stress.
- Various homeopathic remedies are available to help reduce and alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus.
If tinnitus symptoms persist even after following these tips, you might need to visit an audiologist.
Here are some questions your audiologist will ask about your symptoms of tinnitus:
- Which ear is troubling you most, or is it prominent in both ears?
- Is the ringing constant, or are there moments of silence?
- Do the sounds vary by day, noon or evening, or do you experience the symptoms of tinnitus regardless of the time of day?
- Does the sound you hear have a high or low pitch?
- Is the noise loud, soft, or does the volume vary?
- Do certain medications or caffeinated beverages exacerbate your symptoms of tinnitus?
- Is your tinnitus making it excessively difficult for you to work, sleep and concentrate?
- On a scale of 1 to10, how bothered are you by your tinnitus?
Answering these questions accurately will bring you one step closer to naming the cause of your tinnitus and finding relief through proper tinnitus treatment.
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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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The extract of Ginkgo Biloba is effective in the treatment of tinnitus. The extract of the Ginkgo Biloba tree has been used in Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years. This tree can grow to be 100 feet tall and live 1,000 years. The Ginkgo Biloba Tree – also known as the Maidenhair tree – has seeds that are edible. However, health benefits are derived from the extract of its fan-shaped leaves.
The leaves turn from green to yellow in the Fall. At this point in time, the leaves are harvested and dried. After they are dried, the leaves are separated from the twigs and the stalks. The leaves are ground in a special facility, then mixed with organic solvents. The purpose of these additives is to enhance the inherent medicinal qualities.
The magical components of Ginkgo Biloba extract include flavonoids, glycosides and ginkoglides. There are numerous studies that demonstrate the beneficial effects of these ingredients.
Researchers have conducted studies on geriatric patients. They concluded that Gingko Biloba is highly beneficial for the elderly population. Ginko Biloba extract alleviates headaches, senility, tinnitus, fatigue, poor circulation depression. Scientists proposed the theory that the beneficial qualities are due to increased blood flow, which also reverses the effects of aging. Additional studies on patients with Alzheimer’s disease demonstrated that their minds did not deteriorate further.
As mentioned above, one of the ingredients of Ginkgo Biloba are flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. They serve to protect the membranes of red blood cells, lengthening their lifespans in the process. Furthermore, since Gingko Biloba has the ability to increase blood flow to the extremities and the brain, it also relieves the symptoms of tinnitus.
If you suffer from tinnitus, look for products that contain Gingko Biloba.
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.
- DO NOT panic. Tinnitus is usually not a sign of a serious, ongoing medical condition.
- CHECK things out. The sounds you hear may actually be normal sounds created by the human body at work.
- SEE an audiologist or ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) interested and experienced in tinnitus treatment.
- REVIEW your current medications (prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins and other supplements) with your medical professional to find possible causes of your tinnitus.
- BE WARY of a hopeless diagnosis or physician advice like, “There’s nothing you can do about your tinnitus. Go home and live with it.”
- BE a detective. Keep track of what triggers your tinnitus.
- KEEP UP TO DATE about tinnitus. More and more research by the best and the brightest is bringing us closer to successful treatments and cures for tinnitus.
