Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is a common condition that’s more bothersome than anything else. In fact, it’s not a disease itself, but rather a symptom – it’s a sign that something’s wrong with your auditory system. It can be caused by anything from the constant exposure to loud noises, to medical conditions such as age-related hearing loss, and neck and head injuries. Sometimes tinnitus can be cured by the treatment of the underlying causes, but if you’re wondering how to get relief from tinnitus, we’ve rounded up 6 natural tinnitus remedies that actually work!
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is often described as “ringing in the ears” where you experience hearing ringing, buzzing, hissing, chirping, whistling or other sounds. The noise can be intermittent or continuous and varies in loudness. The most common form is a steady, high-pitched ringing, which can be irritating, but doesn’t signal a serious condition. In fewer than 1 percent of cases, people around you can’t hear the noise, which means it may be caused by cardiovascular or musculoskeletal movement in the person’s body. This is called objective tinnitus and can be a sign of a medical emergency.
What Are the Symptoms of Tinnitus?
Tinnitus involves hearing sounds when no external sound is present. It may include the follow phantom noises in your ears including:
- Ringing
- Buzzing
- Roaring
- Clicking
- Hissing
- Humming
The noise may vary in pitch from low to high and you may hear it in one or both ears. Sometimes the sounds you hear can interfere with hearing the sounds that are actually around you.
What Causes Tinnitus?
A common cause of tinnitus is damage to the middle or inner ear. Damage to your eardrums can also interfere with the proper conduction of sound, and tumors in the ear or on the auditory nerve may also cause ringing in the ear. Exposure to very loud sounds on a regular basis can cause tinnitus, as can medication such as very large doses of aspirin (more than 12 doses daily for a long period), loop diuretic medications like bumetanide, and certain antibiotics, including erythromycin and gentamicin.
There are also certain medical conditions that can cause ringing in your ears. These include age-related hearing loss; muscle spasms in your middle ear; high blood pressure; high cholesterol; ear, nose or throat infections; low blood circulation in the brain; head and neck injuries; temporomandibular joint disorders; and a surplus of earwax.
Tinnitus can also be aggravated by stress, depression, anxiety, lack of sleep and illness. Some people have also cited that certain food and drinks trigger tinnitus. These include drinks with caffeine such as coffee, tea and energy drinks; alcohol; and salt.
6 Natural Tinnitus Remedies for Fast Relief
1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a popular therapy for tinnitus as it helps manage its symptoms. While research remains mixed on whether it’s a suitable treatment, most studies have found that acupuncture can decrease the intensity of tinnitus, making the sounds quieter and less severe. Make sure you book an appointment with a trained and experienced acupuncturist for your treatment.
2. Exercise
Exercise is so important for your overall health and well being. Since tinnitus can get worse due to things like stress, anxiety and illness, regular exercise ensures your body is at its optimal state. It helps relieve stress and puts you in a better head space overall. It will help you manage any mental health issues you’re experiencing and push you towards a healthier lifestyle.
3. Meditation
Another way to manage stress and anxiety is by doing mindful meditation. Through apps, programs and youtube videos, you can learn how to meditate and practice mindfulness in your everyday life. Meditation and breathing techniques can help draw your focus away from tinnitus and help you feel better on a daily basis.
4. Yoga
Yoga is another amazing mindfulness practice that can help you manage tinnitus. It helps boost the circulation of blood throughout your body and reduces stress and anxiety. It stimulates the organs and protects the body against infections, leading to a higher quality of life. It also helps lower your cholesterol and helps keep your body in shape. Yoga helps your entire body to relax, especially the muscles in your head and neck. This can help reduce the noise caused by tinnitus.
5. Change Up Your Diet
For some people, what they eat and drink can trigger the symptoms of tinnitus. Salt seems to be a major contributing factor for tinnitus, so lowering the salt you consume can be a big help. Eating a healthy diet can lead to less health issues and diseases that can result in ringing in the ears. For people who have Meniere’s disease (which causes tinnitus and hearing loss), lowering salt can be very helpful.
6. Limit Alcohol, Caffeine and Tobacco
All of these things negatively affect your overall health, and specifically your blood flow. Consuming coffee or alcohol on a regular basis can increase your blood pressure and aggravate your tinnitus. Smoking harms the blood flow to the sensitive nerve cells that control your hearing, and acts as a stimulant in your body, which can make the ringing sound louder.
If you’ve been struggling with tinnitus and it’s affecting your everyday life, try these natural remedies to feel better each day!