How to Cure Tinnitus
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Tinnitus is a symptom of several possible underlying conditions. It is commonly experienced as a ringing in the ear, but it can also sound like roaring, clicking, swishing, or buzzing. It can be difficult to cure, but the following steps can help you understand and treat your tinnitus. It is important to note that there is no one, bona fide cure for tinnitus or hearing loss that it may include.
Diagnosing and Treating Tinnitus
Find the underlying cause of the tinnitus.
Tinnitus is a not a disease itself, but rather a symptom of other problems in the ear, brain, heart, or blood vessels. So if you can eliminate the underlying cause of the problem, the tinnitus may go away by itself. Therefore the first thing to do if you're suffering from tinnitus is to call a doctor.
Your doctor might run specialized tests, such as an X-ray, audiogram, residual inhibition, and evoked response audiometry.
Make sure to keep a detailed list of foods or situations that trigger or worsen your tinnitus, and tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, supplements, etc. you are taking.
Some common underlying conditions that can cause tinnitus include earwax blockages, fluid pressure in the inner ear, infection/inflammation, abnormal bone growth in the ear, blood vessel disorders, jaw misalignment, aneurysm (blood vessel ballooning), certain types of tumors, and nerve or inner ear disorders such as Meniere's disease.
2
Take certain medications.
Certain drugs have been found somewhat effective at reducing the symptoms of tinnitus, although the results vary from patient to patient, depending on the origins of the condition. Talk to your doctor to see if any medications are the right match for you.
Some people find relief from severe tinnitus by taking tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline. However these medications can cause some undesirable side effects, such as blurred visions, dry mouth and heart problems.[1]
Anticonvulsant medications such as clonazepam and gabapentin have been shown to reduce the loudness and annoyance of tinnitus in some people.
In Brazil a drug for treating alcoholism, called acamprosate, has been tested for treating tinnitus symptoms with significant success. The drug is currently undergoing studies in the U.S.[2]
Other medications which have been found to quiet symptoms of tinnitus in some people include anti-anxiety medications, antihistamines and even anesthetics. [3]
3
Avoid unnecessary medications.
Some common medications have been found to worsen the symptoms of tinnitus. If you or your doctor believe that your medication regimen is affecting your tinnitus, it may worth reducing the dosage or cutting out certain drugs altogether. Some more common medications that can cause or worsen tinnitus are:
Certain antibiotics, such as polymyxin B, erythromycin, vancomycin and neomycin.
Some cancer medications, such as mechlorethamine and vincristine.
Diuretic drugs, such as bu****nide, ethacrynic acid or furosemide.
Antimalarial drugs and certain antidepressants.
Aspirin - when taken in large doses.[1]
4
Remove earwax.
Built-up earwax can harden and block the ear canal - leading to hearing loss, irritation and tinnitus. If this is the cause of your tinnitus, the symptoms can be greatly relieved and even cured once the blockage has been removed.
Clear excess earwax at home using baby oil, mineral oil or glycerin oil. These oils will soften the earwax, allowing it to clear by itself. You can also use hydrogen peroxide drops and over-the-counter ear drops to the same effect.
If these methods fail, you can have your earwax cleared by a doctor/nurse practitioner using one of several methods. The earwax can be removed using lavage (washing out the eardrum) or extracted using special medical instruments or suctioning. Alternatively, the doctor can prescribe stronger ear drops to soften the wax, and then for you to return for final clearing out.
Attempting to remove earwax using q-tips, can simply push earwax deeper into the ear canal and worsen the blockages.[4]
5 Consider hearing aids.
If your tinnitus is accompanied by hearing loss, getting fitted with a hearing aid can work wonders to get louder sound from outside to then by contrast lessen the annoying effects of rushing or ringing sounds.
Hearing aids may bring back the ability to hear ambient background noises, which may help to mask the tinnitus.
If you believe your tinnitus is related to hearing loss, see an audiologist who can help to select and fit a hearing aid that is right for you (to amplify the tones that you need to hear more clearly).
If your hearing is good/unaffected but the tinnitus is a problem, you can also get implants which stimulate the auditory nerve using an electrical impulse. This may temporarily stop the tinnitus.
