Most tinnitus can be treated & is often reversible.
Tinnitus
Updated Apr. 08th, 2024
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 damage 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.
I had no idea Tinnitus could be treated naturally. I have pretty severe ringing/buzzing in my ears all day everyday. I do take Melatonin when needed along with b12 and Magnesium. I would like to find out more, how many supplements can I take at one time? These articles are super helpful. I will definitely read up about this more, it is so annoying to have tinnitus. Thank you for another great article! I love these
Hi Kari,
We are glad you enjoy our articles. We love to keep our customers informed, after all, knowledge is health! Have a great day and thank you for your kind comments.
I have had tinnitus for years, actually since I was 10. Constantly ringing and buzzing. I take magnesium, calcium but aside from making it less louder, nothing seems to help. I am going to read this article to see what I might add to my regime to give me relief.
Hello Roger,
We hope some of these tips were able to help you!
Have a healthy day.
I have had Tinnitus for 18 years, since I was in a auto accident. I was told there was nothing that could be done by an ENT Doctor. I have to go to sleep with fan or TV on for sound. Lately the buzzing has gotten louder, however I have found that if my pain is worse then so is the buzzing. Wonder if that might be the stress from the pain? Reading info here has opened my eyes to some possibilities for improving this!
Hello, Sandra,
Thank you for sharing, we're sorry you're experiencing this, but are happy that our article has provided some more insight. If you need any support in finding supplements that may help with the pain, our knowledgeable customer care team is always happy to help.
Have a healthy day!
I have had this for years now and quite often it is the pulsatile type which initially was scary. Since I stared Qi Gong and Tai Chi breathing it appears to be better.
Hello,
Thank you for sharing, we're happy you found supplements and lifestyle techniques that have helped you. If you'd like to learn more about Qi Gong, check out our video on Traditional Chinese Medicine to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxJ8mVkC7Os
Have a healthy day.