Tinnitus Causes and Treatments

Tinnitus is a persistent phantom noise that is perceived but not present in the environment. Some people refer to it as “ringing in the ears,” but the actual sound that is perceived has been described as whirring, clicking, ringing and pulsing. It is annoying and is more common than you may think. 

Tinnitus causes

Tinnitus is a symptom of another condition. It is not a condition on its own. It can be caused by temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ) that cause an actual clicking noise. 

It can be caused by damage to the vestibulocochlear nerve that is responsible for sending sound signals from the ear to the brain. Ototoxic drugs, tumors or trauma can cause this damage.

Meniere’s disease is a condition of the ears and is associated with tinnitus and vertigo.

Otosclerosis is a condition that causes abnormal bone growth in the tiny bones in the ears. These abnormal growths can result in tinnitus.

Hearing loss is one of the most common causes of tinnitus. Many people with tinnitus aren’t even aware they have experienced hearing loss until they seek treatment for the tinnitus.

Herbal treatments for tinnitus

There are many herbal treatments and supplements sold as natural treatments for tinnitus. The most common ingredients in these formulas are melatonin, zinc and ginkgo biloba. There is no credible evidence that any of these products are effective in doing more than relieving you of your money. Most studies that prove the efficacy of this herb are not double blind. 

Acupuncture for tinnitus

Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine. It involves the insertion of needles into the skin in various parts of the body. Some acupuncture advocates promote their practice as a cure for tinnitus. While many have used acupuncture to some degree of success for many medical conditions, there are no controlled studies that show long term, positive effects on tinnitus can be achieved through acupuncture.

Effective treatments for tinnitus

The most effective treatments for tinnitus involve managing the symptoms. Unless the underlying cause is reversible and treatable (TMJ), the focus is on improving the quality of life while learning to live with tinnitus. These treatments include:

• Sound therapy: Sound therapy involves using external noise to mask the internal noise of tinnitus. This can involve using masking noises such as white noise or nature noises, to cover the noise of the tinnitus. Sound therapy can also involve habituation where the brain is trained to ignore the tinnitus sound.

• Hearing aids: Many people with tinnitus have undiagnosed hearing loss. When the hearing loss is identified and assistive hearing devices are used the tinnitus is decreased. By returning background noise to its normal levels, the tinnitus is addressed.

Where to find tinnitus relief

If you are experiencing tinnitus, contact an audiologist for an exam and evaluation. An audiologist is a highly trained medical professional that can identify the causes of your tinnitus and help you find relief.