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What Treatments are Available for Tinnitus Relief?

Ron Marr
Ron Marr

Almost everyone has experienced tinnitus at one point or another. If you have ever had seats located too close to the speakers at a rock concert, or happened to be standing too close to a firecracker when it exploded, you have likely noticed a ringing, whistling, or buzzing noise in your ears. For most people, this effect is short-term. For others, this ringing sensation never stops. Much to the frustration of those who are afflicted with this condition, there is no cure.

Luckily, there are treatments that can help bring tinnitus relief. This is because the problem is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of some undiagnosed problem that has caused damage to the cells of the inner ear. Tinnitus can occur due to injury, illness, prolonged exposure to loud noise, the loss of hearing due to age, an adverse reaction to pharmaceuticals, or myriad other factors. For the afflicted person, the cause is not nearly as important as the goal of receiving tinnitus relief.

Ringing in the ears is referred to as tinnitus.
Ringing in the ears is referred to as tinnitus.

The first step a doctor will take in striving to achieve tinnitus relief is earwax removal. For some people, an abundance or hardened, impacted earwax may be the culprit behind the problem. If a person exhibits signs of vascular disease, of which tinnitus is often a symptom, medication or surgery may alleviate the problem. Certain drugs can also lead to the maddening, non-stop ringing, and a doctor may advise altering dosages, switching drugs, or stopping the ingestion of a medication completely.

Some have reported relief from tinnitus as a result of acupuncture therapy.
Some have reported relief from tinnitus as a result of acupuncture therapy.

Tinnitus relief is sometimes sought via masking or covering up the internal ringing. White noise machines might be helpful, as they provide soothing sounds that make sleeping easier. For a percentage of the affected, especially older people, hearing aids or cochlear implants improve hearing to the point that natural noises somewhat override the annoying sounds of tinnitus. Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs are sometimes administered, and while they will not alter the condition itself, their calming effects may assist in relieving tinnitus.

Ringing in the ears can be a symptom of a ruptured eardrum.
Ringing in the ears can be a symptom of a ruptured eardrum.

Because a cure for the syndrome is so elusive, a number of sufferers have sought tinnitus relief through the use of herbs and minerals. The most common of these are zinc, magnesium, gingko biloba, and Vitamin B supplements. Some people have also reported tinnitus relief after acupuncture treatments and hypnosis sessions. Medical and homeopathic doctors alike recommend cutting back on, or totally avoiding, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and food with a high sugar content.

Discussion Comments

anon140662

I have had the ringing in my ears for about two years now. During this period I have entered the last phases of menopause and have seen an incredible increase in ear wax production. Never had an issue before.

So, I recently purchased ear wax removal candles from my local health food/supplement store. It works great, it's painless, and the gunk coming out of my ears is shocking. The medical professionals will always make a mountain out of a molehill, so keep it simple and do it yourself! It has not stopped the ringing. Not yet anyway. I've only done it once and plan another round next week.

anon109280

I agree with you. I was complaining of clogged ears and the doctor advised me to have an ear lavage. On the third night that I was using debrox, my ears started ringing. The ringing has continued to this day. I dread that day I decided to have the wax removed. It was, in fact, protecting me from this ringing.

anon87477

Hardened (black) earwax removal I feel caused my tinnitus. I understand the hairs in the bottom of the ear situation, and was told that wax doesn't get that far down.

But when my wax was removed, my ears were treated with hot water injections to soften, then a very very painful removal. I asked to see what came out of my ears- (at the time) muffled hearing loss was my issue.

What I saw in the container was the black marble sized ear wax, but the wax looked like they were fuzzy. As if crucial hairs were removed as well as the hardened wax. Two weeks later I had a ring as if I had been to the loudest concert ever. It's still in my ears and to this day does not stop.

And it's been four years since that procedure. I don't know for sure if that was the cause. What I do know is that the removal of that wax was super painful, and while the muffled sound is gone, the 15k high pitch ringing is still going on.

No matter what, my advice is be super careful with anyone trying to remove hardened wax build up. I can only say what happened to me and try to let people know the story. -Gary (Little Rock. AR)

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    • Ringing in the ears is referred to as tinnitus.
      By: dimedrol68
      Ringing in the ears is referred to as tinnitus.
    • Some have reported relief from tinnitus as a result of acupuncture therapy.
      By: Yanik Chauvin
      Some have reported relief from tinnitus as a result of acupuncture therapy.
    • Ringing in the ears can be a symptom of a ruptured eardrum.
      By: Von Schonertagen
      Ringing in the ears can be a symptom of a ruptured eardrum.
    • Tinnitus caused by a middle ear infection may be treated using antibiotics.
      By: Monkey Business
      Tinnitus caused by a middle ear infection may be treated using antibiotics.
    • Some people have reported tinnitus relief after hypnosis sessions.
      By: Ambrophoto
      Some people have reported tinnitus relief after hypnosis sessions.
    • Anti-depressants may also provide tinnitus relief.
      By: Alliance
      Anti-depressants may also provide tinnitus relief.
    • Hearing aids may be an effective treatment for someone with tinnitus, especially older patients.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Hearing aids may be an effective treatment for someone with tinnitus, especially older patients.