Tinnitus is a ringing sound or noise in the ear. Ear ringing is a very troublesome symptom, especially because it is very difficult to cure. Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying condition and usually occurs due to diseases of the outer, middle or inner ear, noise, circulatory disturbances, age-related hearing loss or medications.
Treat the Underlying Cause
If the ear ringing is due to wax buildup, the wax needs to be cleared. If it is due to a middle or inner ear infection it must be treated with antibiotics. If the ringing is due to loud noise, try and get out and stay away from noisy surroundings.
Masking and Desensitization
Maskers are devices that mask the ringing noises generated within the head. The noises temporarily decrease for a few days after the patient removes the masker. For people who have a hearing problem with the ringing ear, a hearing aid is given that has an inbuilt masker. Because tinnitus is more bothersome in quiet environment and usually at night, a ticking clock, fan and FM radio can all act as maskers.
Another treatment used is desensitization, which is exposure to sound first generated at high levels and gradually reduced. Once the person gets habituated, the tinnitus awareness and disturbance becomes less troublesome.
Medications and Vitamins
Antihistamines, sedatives and anti-vertigo drugs have all been used to varying effect against ear ringing. Some anti-anxiety drugs or antidepressants help. Lidocaine, a drug used for abnormal heart rhythm, has also been shown to relieve tinnitus in some people as well. Drugs like aspirin are known to aggravate ear ringing and are best avoided.
Vitamins and minerals like zinc and magnesium stimulate the circulatory system and help with the ear ringing.
Alternate and Natural Remedies
Natural remedies to alleviate ear ringing are to control blood pressure, reduce salt intake from food and avoiding nerve stimulants like coffee and smoking. Yoga, meditation and avoiding concentrating and worrying about the ringing can also help. Other treatments like acupuncture and hypnotic treatment have shown some results.
Herbal treatment like Ginkgo biloba can be effective in the treatment of tinnitus. It acts by increasing the blood supply to the inner ear.
