Tinnitus is the extremely annoying symptom of ringing or other noises like buzzing or pulsating sounds in the ears. This can sometimes be so severe and persistent that it drives some sufferers frantic. Unfortunately, many cases of tinnitus are incurable.

What causes tinnitus?

Causes of tinnitus include:

• Exposure to loud noise.
• Various drugs especially prolonged or recurrent.
• An interruption of the cerebral blood supply (stroke).
• Vascular tumors in the head and neck.
• Tumors and acoustic nerve.
• Meniere’s disease (see Meniere’s Disease).
• Temperomandibular joint syndrome.
• Exposure to environmental toxins and heavy metals.
• Sinus and middle ear congestion and infection.

There may be associated hearing loss. It is important to be assessed by an ENT specialist to try to ascertain the cause.

Treatment and general recommendations

• Check with your doctor regarding whether any medications you are taking could be causing the problem.
• If you suspect temperomandibular joint syndrome, see your dentist.
• Relaxation exercises, massage and aromatherapy are beneficial to reduce stress, which often exacerbates the symptoms.
• Background noise such as relaxing music or the radio can mask tinnitus. This can be particularly useful at night to help you off to sleep. ‘Tinnitus maskers’ which look like a hearing aid are available and produce a noise to substitute or mask the ringing noises in your ears. As hearing loss often accompanies tinnitus, a tinnitus masker and hearing aid can be combined in the same device.

Diet

• Reduce dairy products.
• Reduce sugar.
• Eat cold water fish like mackerel, salmon and tuna three or four times per week. These fish are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids which improve the blood flow to the inner ear.
• Eat chia and hemp seeds.

Raw Juicing

A three day raw fruit and vegetable juice fast is beneficial to detoxify your body. Suitable juices include beets, cabbage, wheatgrass, sprouts, lemon, carrot, celery and apple. Try some recipes from the A-Z guide to juicing – see “Raw Juices Can Save Your Life” book.

Orthodox medical treatment

The following medications have limited efficacy in the treatment of tinnitus but are worth a try – betahistine (“Serc”), carbamazepine, sodium valproate and antidepressant medications. Medical cannabis may help, especially at night.

Recommended supplements for tinnitus

• MSM Plus Vitamin C
  Take 1/2 teaspoon daily in juice or water – MSM (an organic sulfur) supports healthy adrenal function.
• Magnesium Powder
  Take 1 teaspoon daily – Magnesium is an important mineral which assists with muscle pain and is known as the ‘great relaxer’.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.