Home remedies for treating tinnitus include consumption of a multi-nutrient rich diet with low sodium content, relaxation techniques such as yoga, acupuncture, and usage of ear plugs or ear muffs. Herbs such as cornel dogwood, bayberry bark, burdock root, black cohosh, privet, hawthorn leaf, and ginkgo may prove helpful in relieving tinnitus, attributing to their special qualities that may heal the underlying conditions disguised within.
Avoiding drug triggers, alcohol, smoking, caffeine, and loud music may also prove beneficial in tinnitus. Furthermore, music therapy, foot baths, usage of garlic, turpentine, warm salt pillow, mustard seed powder, walnuts, and ginger may also bring holistic relief against tinnitus.
Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears which affects about 15 to 20 percent of people. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Tinnitus is a condition characterized by the perception of noise or ringing in the ears when no external sound is present. This sound may be heard as a humming, buzzing, whistling or hissing. It may be periodical or persistent, low-pitched or high-pitched. Tinnitus is a sign of an underlying condition that needs attention and not a disease in itself. While the condition looks like it is associated with the ear its real reason is in the brain cells. [1]
Home Remedies and Treatments for Tinnitus
Home remedies that may bring therapeutic relief from tinnitus are as follows:
Vitamin and Mineral-Rich Diet
Consumption of a balanced diet rich in nutrients particularly vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, copper, and selenium may contribute towards the betterment of tinnitus. [2]
- Vitamin A is important for the health of ear membranes. [3]
- Vitamin C and vitamin E have tremendous anti-oxidative qualities which help in protecting the cell membrane from oxidative stress which is implicated in the condition of tinnitus.
- Vitamin C enhances and restores the blood flow and is a well-established remedy for preventing and treating inflammation and infections. These micronutrients seek out for the oxygen free radical and work towards neutralizing their effects.
- A deficit of vitamin B12 may elevate the levels of homocysteine in the body which can be toxic to the nerves and may lead to a range of nervous system disorders including tinnitus and hearing loss.
- Adequate magnesium in the body may prevent the constriction of blood vessels including the arteries connecting to the inner ear and lessen the risk of tinnitus.
Limit Sodium Intake
Consumption of lesser amount of sodium may help improve the condition of tinnitus especially in the individuals suffering from Meniere’s disease which is characterized by the retention of extreme amounts of fluid in the ear leading to dizziness, hearing loss, and a filled feeling in the ear. People with such a condition should opt for a low-sodium variety of salt and generally control their daily dietary sodium intake. In case you experience a feeling of fullness in the ear associated with tinnitus, medical professionals generally recommend consuming adequate calcium and potassium rich diet. [4] [5]
Earplugs and Earmuffs
Using earplugs may prove helpful during the condition of tinnitus. Wearing earplugs in noise prone areas like construction sites, noisy industries, roads or any other regions with disturbing ear-splitting sounds may reduce the volume to a great extent and yet allow you to hear the voice clearly. Earplugs are readily available at audiology clinics, music stores, and pharmacies. Foam-filled earmuffs that firmly seal the ear are another comforting option for defending the disturbing sounds in case you don’t buy the idea of earplugs. [6]
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient approach which comes as a rescue to a number of ailments such as tinnitus and is in fact advocated for its efficacy by various scientific researchers as well. Sticking acupuncture needles in the body areas that are most liable to alleviate tinnitus may help provide relief from tinnitus to a great extent. Once learned and trained from a professional, acupuncture may prove an effective home remedy for curing tinnitus. [7]
Avoid Loud Noise
Restrictive exposure to the distressingly loud noises such as power motors, carpentering jobs, and very loud volume music may prove helpful in averting the condition of tinnitus. Such sounds may injure the microscopic hair on the auditory cells present in the inner ear and worsen the condition of tinnitus.
Avoid Trigger Drugs
Medications such as aspirin may lead to the ringing in the ear associated with tinnitus. Excessive intentional or inadvertent ingestion of such medicines may affect the auditory cells in the inner ear and lead to the sound sensation. In fact, some people who take such medication on a regular basis should talk to the doctor and be aware of its side effects. Just in case you are already experiencing ringing in the ear sensation, inform your doctor before changing or starting any new medications. [8] [9]
Music Therapy
Interestingly, music in itself may prove as a healer in tinnitus. Listening to calming soft music especially the melody of nature, such as sounds of running water, and other nature generated jingling may help relieve tinnitus. Other than that, self-humming for a few seconds, especially when you are in the vicinity of loud noise, is also considered effective in tinnitus, attributing to the ability of this technique to activate a particular muscle in the inner ear which constricts the little bones jointly and avert some of the noisy waves to get through and aids in shielding the ears from continuous exposure to the loud noise. [10]
Garlic
Another home remedy for tinnitus which comes handy in the kitchen is garlic. Antioxidant properties of garlic help in relieving the ringing sensation associated with tinnitus. Blend about six cloves of garlic with a cup of almond or olive oil till it is nicely mixed and minced. Let the mixture steep and keep it for about a week. Sieve the liquid and apply a few drops in the ear. This may soothe the ringing feeling in the ear and promote the hearing. [11]
Turpentine
Blend a spoon of clean turpentine with an equal amount of almond or olive oil and place a cotton ball squeezed in that mixture in your ear overnight. This would help alleviate the noisy sensation in the ear. [12]
Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation technique like yoga and deep breathing may help the body in combating tinnitus. Regular exercise and relaxation regime help in improving the blood circulation and also decreases the stress factor that may accentuate the problem of tinnitus. [13]
Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol, and Smoking
Excessive intake of caffeine, alcohol, and smoking habits may worsen the problem of tinnitus. Nicotine present in such items obstructs the blood flow to the ear structures. So, gradually cutting down on such triggers may prove useful in tinnitus.
Warm Salt Pillow
Using a pillow filled with warm salt helps alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus. Fill a cotton fabric bag with fairly warm stir-fried salt. Lie down on the pillow resting both the ears on the salt bag alternately. Doing this and reheating the salt when cooled several times may bring relief in improving the condition of tinnitus. [14]
Mustard Seed Powder
Using powdered mustard may also bring relief in soothing the sensation of tinnitus. Finely powdered mustard wrapped in a cotton ball can be inserted in the ear before sleeping and should be removed in the morning. Repeat this for three days and it may help relieve the sound sensation associated with tinnitus. Make sure the cotton does not have any leakage point and avoid this remedy for young children. [15]
Walnuts
Take some walnuts and soak them in salt water for 30 minutes and let them dry. Stir-fry them on low heat till they are crispy and crunchy. Eat about half an ounce of walnuts every morning and this may prove beneficial against tinnitus. [16]
Ginger
Ginger is a wonder food that aids in healing a range of ailments including tinnitus. Healing qualities of the ginger attribute to its ability in stimulating the circulation of blood, fight pathogens and exert antioxidative defense towards oxygen free radicals. It also aids in relieving nausea associated with tinnitus. [17]
Foot Baths
Alternating hot and cold foot baths may help alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus attributing to the dilation of blood vessels that may result from such exercise. This stimulates the blood flow towards the head and helps treat tinnitus. [18]
Herbs for Treating Tinnitus
The usage of herbs such as cornel, bayberry bark, burdock root, black cohosh, privet, hawthorn leaf, and ginkgo has been trusted for their efficacy in curing tinnitus. [19] [20]
- Japanese cornel dogwood (Cornus officinalis): Cornus is a traditional remedy which is quite popular among the Chinese experts for treating inner ear diseases such as tinnitus and hearing loss. Recent studies have also advocated the efficacy of this fruit, whose active ingredients such as ursolic acid possess astringent qualities, which help prevent the damage caused to the auditory cells. The protective effect of this remedy owes to its ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation and stimulate antioxidant action to counteract the activity of free radicals. [21]
- Bayberry (Myrica cerifera): Bayberry bark purifies the blood, fights infections and eliminates toxins from the blood.
- Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.): Hawthorn leaf and flower are effective in curing and controlling the problem of high blood pressure and other circulatory problems which can cause tinnitus.
- Gingko (Ginkgo biloba): Ginkgo herb may help in reducing the symptoms of Meniere’s disease such as hearing loss and dizziness implicated in tinnitus. It has beneficiary effects on the memory, helps stimulate the circulatory system, and promotes the supply of blood towards the inner ear. [22]
- Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa): Black cohosh also helps in relieving anxiety and nervousness associated with tinnitus. It helps bind serotonin in the brain and has inhibitory effects on vasomotor center linked with inner ear balance. One should definitely watch out for the intake of black cohosh as its overdose may result in nausea, liver damage, and dizziness. [23]
- Glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum): This herb is traditionally used to counter tinnitus. [24]
Other Remedies
- Acupressure: Use a toothpick to gently arouse the points at the outer edge of the little toe near the toenail. Continue till you feel a tingling sensation at the top of the head. Doing this technique once a day may help in tinnitus.
- Clenching the teeth: Clenching your teeth on the side of the infected ear may sooth the noisy sensation.
- Drumming the ear: Gently drumming on your ears for about 2-3 minutes or 100 times twice a day may assist in relieving the ringing. Using fingers to dig into the ear to remove the accumulation of water should be avoided.
- Massage: Gently massaging the hollows and top areas of jawbone right behind the earlobes with sesame oil or application of hot compress on the neck area may assist in relieving tinnitus ringing. [25] [26]
- Low fat and low sugar diet: Consumption of a diet low in fat and sugar content may also help in curing tinnitus to a great extent. High-fat foods exert stress on the body and contract the blood vessel and arteries. Sugar has the ability to constrict the blood vessels in the inner ear and worsen the problem of tinnitus.
Note: Depending on the severity, some instances of tinnitus may create an annoying experience and significantly influence the quality of life of an individual attributing to the added burden of internal sounds cropping up in the head and may also be the cause of psychological distress in some people.
Word of Caution: Natural caution and a piece of advice from a medical professional with a detailed expression of existing symptoms are always recommended before considering any home treatment or self-help approach to tinnitus.
