There are almost as many remedies for tinnitus as there are causes of this debilitating condition. Tinnitus is very common and while it may be a temporary condition associated with ear infections or other problems that can easily be cured, it is sometimes more serious.
While it is often called ‘ringing in the ears’ it is not always experienced as a ringing sound. It may be a hissing or buzzing sound. It may be in both ears or just one. It may be more noticeable at certain times of day. Sometimes there is pain in the ear and sometimes there is not.
What Causes Tinnitus?
The first thing to understand is that having tinnitus does not usually mean that you are going deaf. While it is sometimes associated with hearing loss, there are many other causes too. These include:
- ear infections
- high blood pressure
- low blood pressure
- allergies
- ear wax buildup
- thyroid problems
- stress
As you can imagine, many of these conditions are easy to treat and the tinnitus will usually go away as soon as the problem is solved. Some of them, like high blood pressure, can have serious consequences if untreated, so you should see a doctor to establish the cause and remedies for tinnitus and any underlying problems in your case.
Remedies For Tinnitus
Occasionally the tinnitus will be linked to something that is harder to treat, such as a head injury or Menieres disease, which is an inner ear disorder that affects balance and hearing. People with Menieres disease will have dizzy spells, sometimes falling over. There can also be periods of uncontrollable eye movement, nausea and excessive sweating.
Because there are so many different causes, clearly there will be many different remedies for tinnitus too. Here are some of the natural remedies that have worked for some people.
Massage And Manipulation as a Tinnitus Remedy
Head and neck massage has helped some people. Cranio-sacral therapy and acupuncture are other forms of treatment that may relieve the pressure in and around the ear.
Vitamins And Minerals as a Tinnitus Remedy
Mineral deficiencies can cause tinnitus, especially deficiencies in magnesium, potassium or zinc. Vitamin deficiencies may affect the circulatory system and contribute to the problem too. However, overdose of some of these nutrients can cause problems too, so do not take high doses without being tested for deficiency. Taking a good daily multi vitamin and mineral supplement should be enough, along with a healthy diet containing plenty of vegetables.
Herbal Remedies For Tinnitus
Gingko Biloba extract is often used by herbal medicine practitioners to treat tinnitus and other conditions that may be associated with it, including headaches, dizziness, depression and concentration problems. Black cohosh may be recommended where the tinnitus is associated with the nerves in the ear. Hawthorn may be helpful where there are circulation problems or blood pressure issues. However, do not be tempted to self prescribe.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy
This is a form of counseling which teaches sufferers to stop paying so much attention to the noise in the ears. This has been tested on war veterans and found to be very helpful in cases where other treatments have not solved the problem. Hypnosis is another therapy that can stop tinnitus from bothering us so much. Although these treatments that work with the mind are not exactly remedies for tinnitus, they can make a huge difference to someone whose life is being made miserable by this annoying and sometimes disabling condition.