Tinnitus is a condition marked by ringing, buzzing or other chronic noises that persist in the eardrums. It usually isn't a painful condition, but it can be very distracting and become more tedious as time passes. Medical treatment options are available, but most minor cases of tinnitus are dealt with at home first to see if the ringing subsides in short order. Contrary to what you may have heard, though, calcium is not an effective treatment for tinnitus.
Tinnitus Causes
Tinnitus can be caused by a wide range of problems, but some are more common than others. According to the Mayo Clinic, age-related hearing loss is a common cause in people close to and older than 60 years of age. Exposure to loud noises may also cause tinnitus and may weaken your hearing. Changes to your ear bones or an earwax blockage are other common causes. You can also develop tinnitus resulting from stress, depression, Meniere's disease, TMJ, head or neck injuries, neuromas in the ear or blood vessel disorders.
At-home Treatment Options
Most at-home treatments aim to alleviate the cause of tinnitus, thereby eliminating the condition. Avoid loud noises that can irritate the ears -- you may want to cover up or soften noise coming from stereos or other noise sources in the home. Manage stress through relaxation therapy or exercise if this is an underlying cause. Avoid alcohol and nicotine, which can exacerbate tinnitus.
Taking Calcium
Several at-home and medicinal treatments are able to improve your tinnitus condition, but taking calcium is not one of them. Medical experts have not identified any benefit of taking calcium as a supplement to treat tinnitus. Calcium is used to lower high blood pressure, which is a rare but occasional cause of tinnitus, but this benefit is most pronounced in people who do not get enough calcium in their diets. Medical research has had conflicting results regarding the efficacy of using calcium to treat high blood pressure, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Considerations
Do not take calcium as a medical treatment without first talking to your doctor. Calcium can be dangerous if consumed in amounts greater than 2,500 mg daily. You may need to consult your health care provider for prescription medications to relieve your tinnitus depending on the severity and cause of the condition. White noise machines or other background noise can make tinnitus more tolerable while you wait for the ringing sound to subside.
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