The ringing in the ear never stops, you can’t sleep, you’re frustrated, your relationship is suffering and you don’t know where to turn. Does this sound familiar? You have tinnitus and have searched for non-surgical ways to end the constant noise that seems to interfere with everything you do. The good news is there are natural treatments you can try.

The cause or causes of Tinnitus are not understood but it is known to be a symptom rather than a disease or illness, usually associated with some form of hearing deficit in the auditory pathways. It can occur at any age, including childhood and easily affect one’s quality of life.

The noises that reflect this condition have been described as ringing in the ear, or sometimes humming, buzzing, clicking or whistling. It is not as simple as just ringing in the ear and it is hard to define exactly where the noise is coming from, one ear, both ears, the middle of the head. The noise may have just one component or more and can be sporadic or continuous and become more pronounced when stressed.

Drugs such as Tricyclic antidepressants can help people cope better, but won’t get rid of any ringing in the ear, and do have some rather unpleasant side effects. Sedatives may help you sleep but they often make you tired the rest of the time and again have side effects. Research is far from conclusive whether psychotherapy, behavioural, relaxation or biofeedback therapies work but again these may help you cope better. You might like to try using a small machine that is worn near the ear and that emits a sound designed to mask the tinnitus noises, but research is again not conclusive and replacing one sound with another doesn’t sound that wonderful!

Some suggest that taking antihistamines, B3 (although it is noted that many sufferers actually have a B12 deficiency), extra zinc, muscle relaxants, ginkgo biloba may help. Still more advocate acupuncture, magnets, lasers or hypnosis. While it is likely some of the above will work for some, published research suggest none really work for all or work all the time.

Only if there is a clear structural reason for any ringing in the ear, should you even consider surgery, but this is obviously drastic and you will need to speak to your doctors for advice. Again though, surgery does not always work and the ringing in your ears will return with vengeance. So what is the answer?

If you have any ringing in the ear, you are probably in the position of trying as many different approaches as possible, in the hope of finding something that will personally work for you. My advice is stick to the natural approaches first before you start messing with what goes in to your body or surgery.

Tags: hearing deficit, relationships, ringing in ear, ringing in the ear, tinnitus treatment