What is tinnitus, and what causes it?
Ringing in the ears is a subjective auditory sensation—such as a whistling, humming, buzzing, or ticking sound—perceived without an external sound source. It is also known as tinnitus. For comprehensive management, see the tinnitus page. Natural ear care products are available in the store.
- Hearing loss and noise trauma: the most common causes—cochlear aging (presbycusis) and exposure to loud noises (concerts, headphones, machinery) destroy the hair cells in the cochlea—these cells do not regenerate—the brain compensates by generating spontaneous activity perceived as a buzzing sound—hearing aids reduce this perception by restimulating the auditory pathways
- Earwax plug: obstruction of the ear canal by a buildup of earwax—a simple, reversible cause—ceruminolytic agents (sprays or drops) followed by professional ear irrigation are sufficient to eliminate the ringing in these cases
- Vascular and circulatory disorders: pulsatile tinnitus (synchronized with the pulse)—high blood pressure, vascular malformations, atherosclerosis—the ringing follows the heartbeat—a cardiovascular evaluation should be performed
- Other causes: ototoxic medications (high-dose aspirin, aminoglycosides, quinine, certain diuretics, cisplatin)—temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction (ringing worsened by chewing) — ear infection or ear pain — acoustic nerve tumor (acoustic neuroma — unilateral ringing + progressive hearing loss)
What natural remedies and treatments are available to relieve tinnitus?
Tinnitus with no identifiable, treatable cause (idiopathic) has no proven curative treatment. Management aims to reduce the perception of the tinnitus and its impact on quality of life. Several natural supplements have shown promise in studies, with varying effectiveness depending on the individual.
- Ginkgo biloba: the most extensively studied for vascular tinnitus—improves cochlear microcirculation (acts on blood flow in the capillaries of the inner ear) — antioxidant flavonoids and terpenoids — standardized EGb 761 extract (240 mg/day in 2 doses) — variable results: more effective for vascular tinnitus, less conclusive for post-traumatic forms — Contraindications: anticoagulants (potentiates the effect)
- Zinc: an enzymatic cofactor involved in protecting cochlear hair cells from oxidative stress — zinc deficiency is common in people with tinnitus — supplementation (50–66 mg/day for 2 months) may reduce perceived intensity in deficient individuals — maximum dose must be observed (toxic at high doses over prolonged periods)
- Vitamin B12: plays a role in the myelination of auditory nerve fibers—deficiency is associated with an increased incidence of tinnitus—supplementation is beneficial in cases of documented deficiency (serum testing recommended beforehand)
- Magnesium: protects hair cells against glutamatergic excitotoxicity (a mechanism involved in noise-induced hearing loss) — when taken before intense noise exposure, it reduces the risk of temporary cochlear damage — useful for prevention in musicians and workers exposed to noise
Stress, Diet, and Managing Tinnitus in Daily Life
Stress is the main factor that amplifies the perception of tinnitus—it does not cause it but makes it significantly more difficult to tolerate. Cortisol increases alertness and hyperreactivity in the central auditory system, making the tinnitus more pronounced. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) tailored for tinnitus and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) are the most well-documented non-pharmacological approaches.
- Diet and tinnitus: caffeine (may increase auditory sensitivity and worsen perception in some people) — alcohol (cochlear vasodilation followed by a vasoconstrictive rebound) — excess salt (may worsen forms associated with Meniere’s disease) — refined sugars (unstable blood sugar levels associated with fluctuations in perception) — an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant diet (omega-3s, colorful fruits, vegetables) beneficial for cochlear health
- Sound management and environment: do not seek total silence (this worsens the perception of ringing) — use neutral background noise (fan, soft music, white noise generators) — sound masking therapy — hearing protection (earplugs or noise-canceling headphones) during exposure to loud noise — avoid using cotton swabs (trauma and compacted earwax)
- Relaxation Techniques: cardiac coherence, mindfulness meditation, sophrology, yoga — reduce auditory hypervigilance and emotional impact — when practiced regularly, they significantly reduce the distress associated with tinnitus without eliminating it
