What Can I Do about Tinnitus?

If you've suddenly developed a ringing or buzzing in your ears and you're not at a Phillip Glass concert, you most likely have tinnitus.
This can be an entirely new and unique source of irritation that you have no idea what to do about, knowing that only you can hear it and it's your own private harmonic performance. Fortunately, the sources of tinnitus are usually benign, and the buzzing/ringing/hissing that you hear will be intermittent and not a constant accompaniment as you go about your day. Find out some ways to deal with your personal symphony and some herbal supplements to keep the noise down.

Tinnitus generally occurs in older individuals around age 60 and is called presbycusis. In younger people, it arises due to exposure to loud noise, whether from amplified instruments at a rock concert or heavy equipment, such as chainsaws or jackhammers. No matter the source, if the condition persists non-stop for more than two weeks, it's best to seek the advice of your family physician. Your doctor may note an excess built-up of ear wax and perform a lavage to clean out your ear canal. If your mother ever told you that the only thing you should put in your ear is your elbow, she was right: don't use a cotton swab to clean out your ear; it will only jam the wax further into your ear canal. 

Infrequently, tinnitus is due to abnormal inner ear fluid, TMJ or an acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor. These conditions can be diagnosed by an ear, nose and throat specialist. High blood pressure and atherosclerosis are two other reasons you may hear a ringing in your ears, and these conditions should be discussed with your physician. If there is no organic cause diagnosed by your doctor, consider medications that you're currently taking: high doses of aspirin, antibiotics or diuretics have been known to cause ringing in the ears.

If your tinnitus is age-related or a result of exposure to high levels of noise, there are treatment options available. The first thing to do is avoid any triggers, such as high levels of stress or noise. Use ear plugs to prevent further damage to your eardrums. If you're older, it may be time to see an audiologist and get a hearing aid. Consider the homeopathic principle, "Like cures like," and invest in a white noise machine to mask the sound. This is especially effective if the ringing keeps you up at night. Be aware that nicotine and alcohol can also increase the likelihood of tinnitus. And stress plays a role as well so incorporate some relaxation techniques into your daily life, such as meditation or exercise.

Some nutritional supplements can also reduce the symptoms of tinnitus. Consider a high-quality supplement that contains gingko biloba, shown to increase blood flow while decreasing the constant buzzing noise. Progressive Labs markets their Visio Plex supplement to treat age-related eye disorders; this supplement has 100 milligrams of gingko biloba, along with taurine, to increase concentration and energy levels while decreasing the buzzing sound. 
Bioflavonoids have been shown to increase blood circulation in the inner ear, which may reduce the ringing. The Allergy Research Group offers their GastroCort II with bioflavonoids that promote epithelial development in connective tissue throughout the body, including the inner ear. Use this product to reduce the annoying ringing sounds from tinnitus naturally and enjoy the benefits of increased intestinal support as well. For a totally vegan option, consider NOW's C-1000 Buffered C tablets, with the antioxidant rutin made from acerola, a tropical fruit.