Home Remedies for Tinnitus

Home Remedies for Tinnitus

Description of Tinnitus -Tinnitus, from the Latin word "tinnire," meaning to ring or tinkle like a bell, is a hearing ailment that affects over 35 million Americans. Tinnitus is not itself a disease but a symptom resulting from a range of underlying causes. Noises that can cause tinnitus with long-term exposure occur in the home and workplace environments. Other causes of tinnitus are allergies, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, ear wax buildup, tumors, Meniere's disease, medications (sometimes too much aspirin) and old age (the natural degeneration of hearing).

Causes

Tinnitus is not itself a disease but a symptom resulting from a range of underlying causes. [2] Causes include ear infections, foreign objects or wax in the ear, nose allergies that prevent (or induce) fluid drain and cause wax build-up, and injury from loud noises. One of the most common causes of tinnitus is damage to the microscopic endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear. Benign causes, such as noise from TMJ, openings of the eustachian tubes, or repetitive muscle contractions may be the cause of objective tinnitus. Other causes of tinnitus are possible and an evaluation by a physician is indicated.

Symptoms

Symptoms of tinnitus are frequently found in elderly persons and are often associated with hearing loss related to the aging process (presbycusis). Although there are no specific cures for tinnitus, anything that brings the person out of the "fight or flight" stress response helps symptoms recede over a period of time. Most people find that by taking steps to reduce or mask the noise or by treating its underlying causes, their symptoms improve over time. Few studies document that magnesium relieves tinnitus symptoms, but many patients have experienced relief by using magnesium (Attias et al.

Treatment

Treatments may include hearing aids, sound-masking devices, medicines and ways to learn how to cope with the noise. A number of techniques and treatments may be of help, depending on the cause.

Medications

Medications to deal with the psychological fallout of tinnitus is often useful -- antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can be very helpful. Tinnitus is also a side-effect of some oral medications, such as aspirin, and may also result from an abnormally low level of serotonin activity. It is also important to check medications for potential ototoxicity. If ototoxic medications must be administered, close attention by the physician to prescription details, such as dose and dosage interval, can reduce the damage done.