In the inner ear, there are thousands of auditory cells that are electrically charged. There are tiny hairs or cilia on these cells that move with the pressure of sound waves. When these cilia move, energy is released through the auditory nerve to the brain where they are interpreted a sound.

If these hairs are damaged, bent or broken by loud noise or a blow to the head, they move randomly, no longer dependent on pressure and therefore the electrical impulses are also sent out randomly and the brain interprets these signals as noise or what we know as tinnitus. These noises can vary in severity and depending on the initial cause, can be experienced in one ear or both, intermittently or continuously. Most tinnitus is reversible and can be treated holistically with positive results.

There are a number of risk factors that leave individuals more susceptible to Tinnitus. Wax build-up is one of the more common risk factors, and again, is highly treatable. If you are someone who produces a lot of ear wax – your MD of Naturopath can take one quick look in your ears and be able tot tell you if you have heavy wax build-up in the ears - you can consider some of the options below. Some medications will cause tinnitus as a side effect, including aspirin and most anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), furosemide diuretics, and some BP and cholesterol lowering medications.

Quinine, Aminoglycoside antibiotics and cisplatin can all cause damamge to the ear and therefore also cause tinnitus. Diabetics, or individuals with high insulin or blood sugar may also be more prone to tinnitus. Jaw misalignment, head or neck trauma and ear or sinus infection can all be a cause of temporary tinnitus, as well. Have your doctor or Naturopath check your homocysteine levels, as high homocysteine has been associated with tinnitus, as well as heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Individuals who suffer from tinnitus may find that eating certain foods will worsen their symptoms. An elimination diet or anti-allergenic diet may be one way to determine what foods are triggering tinnitus symptoms.

Warm water ear lavage is one method used to get rid of excess ear wax (cerumen) or impaction in the ear. Ear candling is another method of removing excess cerumen from the ear. Be sure to ask a qualified and experienced professional if you are considering ear candling as it involves a small flame close to the head and can be dangerous. Care also needs to be made when using cotton swabs in the ear, as it can push the wax into the ear further, making it more difficult to remove and possibly causing damage.

If you work in a noisy environment or during times you may be exposed to loud noise, wear earplugs or earmuffs to protect the delicate hairs of the inner ear from damage. Stress can worsen symptoms of tinnitus, avoid chronically high stress by getting regular exercise, regular massages, practising yoga or meditation and getting an adequate amount of sleep. Acupuncture has also been found effective for reducing tinnitus, as well as relieving or decreasing stress. White noise, can often mask the irritating sounds caused by tinnitus. Fans, soft music, or specialized white noise machines can all help to distract the brain. If you have hearing loss, try a hearing aid, as it will emphasize outside sounds and minimize symptoms of tinnitus.

The following list of supplements can be used for treating and preventing Tinnitus.  Adult doses are given.  (CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS).