Almost everyone has experienced tinnitus at one point or another. If you have ever had seats located too close to the speakers at a rock concert, or happened to be standing too close to a firecracker when it exploded, you have likely noticed a ringing, whistling, or buzzing noise in your ears. For most people, this effect is short-term. For others, this ringing sensation never stops. Much to the frustration of those who are afflicted with this condition, there is no cure.
Luckily, there are treatments that can help bring tinnitus relief. This is because the problem is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of some undiagnosed problem that has caused damage to the cells of the inner ear. Tinnitus can occur due to injury, illness, prolonged exposure to loud noise, the loss of hearing due to age, an adverse reaction to pharmaceuticals, or myriad other factors. For the afflicted person, the cause is not nearly as important as the goal of receiving tinnitus relief.
The first step a doctor will take in striving to achieve tinnitus relief is earwax removal. For some people, an abundance or hardened, impacted earwax may be the culprit behind the problem. If a person exhibits signs of vascular disease, of which tinnitus is often a symptom, medication or surgery may alleviate the problem. Certain drugs can also lead to the maddening, non-stop ringing, and a doctor may advise altering dosages, switching drugs, or stopping the ingestion of a medication completely.
Tinnitus relief is sometimes sought via masking or covering up the internal ringing. White noise machines might be helpful, as they provide soothing sounds that make sleeping easier. For a percentage of the affected, especially older people, hearing aids or cochlear implants improve hearing to the point that natural noises somewhat override the annoying sounds of tinnitus. Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs are sometimes administered, and while they will not alter the condition itself, their calming effects may assist in relieving tinnitus.
Because a cure for the syndrome is so elusive, a number of sufferers have sought tinnitus relief through the use of herbs and minerals. The most common of these are zinc, magnesium, gingko biloba, and Vitamin B supplements. Some people have also reported tinnitus relief after acupuncture treatments and hypnosis sessions. Medical and homeopathic doctors alike recommend cutting back on, or totally avoiding, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and food with a high sugar content.