What Is Tinnitus, and How to Cure Ringing Ears From Home
If you’re trying to cure ringing ears (otherwise known as tinnitus)… you’re probably experiencing hissing, buzzing, roaring, humming, clicking, or whistling.
These noises can be consistent or may come and go… can be in one ear or in both ears…
And can be high pitched, low pitched, loud, or quiet.
If you have these symptoms, they can lead to anxiety, irritability, or depression.
Luckily, treatment options do exist that can give you some relief.
First, You Need to Be Aware of the Causes…
- Damage to the ear from loud music or noise exposure…
- Age-related hearing loss…
- Build-up of ear wax…
- And more. See my full list of possible causes of ringing ears.
Here Are 3 Simple Ways to Cure Ringing Ears From Home:
- Ginkgo biloba extract – This natural supplement can improve blood circulation in the body, protect against cell damage, and can also help with memory and concentration. You can take this supplement in the form of a pill or as a powder. Look here for delicious smoothie recipes with ginkgo biloba powder.
- Vitamins and minerals – The top supplements known to help with ringing ears are zinc, folic acid, melatonin, and vitamin B12.
- Reduce caffeine and salt intake – Sodas, coffee, and tea can be reduced or eliminated from the diet to help reduce ringing in the ears. Decreasing consumption of salt can also help reduce symptoms by reducing your blood pressure. Again, improving blood circulation and blood flow can help. For more, see my comprehensive list of over 10 treatments. Additionally, check out these 6 meditation techniques that are effective in battling the stress and anxiety related to ringing ears.
Your Course of Treatment for Ringing in the Ears…
- Start your treatment course with the easiest, most convenient treatment option for you such as changing your diet or adding a natural supplement. Trial these for a couple of weeks and chart your improvement by taking daily notes in a notebook, calender, or planner.
- Try a sound masking or white noise machine that you can purchase at a nearby store or online. There are a variety of machines that produce different types of sounds that may soothe your symptoms. Take notes on which machines work best for you if at all.
- Consider a more expensive program such as tinnitus retraining, hypnosis, acupuncture, or hearing aids. Continue taking daily notes to track your progress.
- See your doctor if none of the treatment options for ringing ears have worked for you. Also consider seeing a health professional if the severity of your symptoms worsens or your emotional reactions have increased (anxiety, depression, irritability).
What to Consider Before Going to the Doctor…
Letting your symptoms go on too long can eventually lead to extreme psychological distress, so don’t underestimate the seriousness of the problem.
Get professional help if it gets unbearable or starts affecting your quality of life.
But before you go, consider these questions:
- Are the noises in your ear(s) consistent or intermittent?
- What kinds of noises do you hear? (buzzing, roaring, clicking)
- Is it in one ear or both?
- Is it loud or soft?
- Is it high pitch or low pitch?
- Are there different times of day that cause an increase or decrease in symptoms? (day, night)
- Are there other situations that cause an increase or decrease in symptoms? (exercise, caffeine, alcohol, after a nap)
- What kind of impact does it have on your school, work, sleep, family life? How would you rate the emotional impact your ear ringing has on your life?
Some say to reduce your salt and alocohl usage. Although it doesn’t seem to help very much. Some say anti-depressants may help. At night there are CD’s you can buy that have relaxing water sounds which mask the sounds somewhat. There are other therapies but I don’t think you can do them at home. It is important not to focus on it, because anxiety can increase the volume of the tinnitus. Any auditory distraction is good. Ginkgo biloba help reduce it for some people. St. Johns Wart may be helpful as well for some people. Regular exercise helps to sleep.
These are all great suggestions!
I am 66 and I have had ringing in my ears for as long as I can remember. I can’t recall if I had it in my teen years. I do take meds for anxiety, but my ear ringing was before I started taking medication. Noise in general hurts my ears, but when I’m around loud music or a very noisy croud and then find a quiet place, it’s louder than usual. I have it every waking moment, and when I go to bed, it’s there, but I’ve learned to ignore it, but what a blessing it would be not to have it anymore!
Thank you for sharing your experiences with tinnitus! I am sure it has helped somebody else feel that they are not alone suffering with this.
Ime 68 mine arrived when i was aprox 65,,as a constant prob, firstly it was now and then,but it soon turned to constant,ime a very stressy person,and always have been,and think this makes it so much worse,not a big drinker ,but do love my coffee,and tea,if i try very hard to chill ,it does seem easier to deal with ,but its always there,of a night time ,the radio goes straight to radio 4 extra,and is on all night,to act as a distraction ,and that works for me,yes ime married and sleep alone every night and have done for many years now,she is happy with that arrangement,bless her cotton socks.
God bless you that must be a nightmare!
It sounds like you are really knowledgeable about your tinnitus and what can help! It’s good to hear that you are not drinking alcohol as research shows it not only has a negative impact on ringing in the ears but many other negative side effects. Have you tried a white noise machine or do you prefer the radio? Thank you for commenting and sharing your story!
I am 56 and have been a dental assistant for over 30 years. The high pitch sound of the drill and other loud machinery in the office have caused my ringing. It was tolerable up until a few weeks ago when it got so loud in my left ear that it is now driving me to find something to stop it. I’ve tried drops but they only make it go away for a short period of time if at all. I am at my wits end. Thinking of trying the ginkgo biloba.
Those in the dental field should be taught about the potential of noise exposure and hearing loss. You (and your office mates) should see an audiologist. An audiologist is a Master’s or Doctorate level professional who can evaluate your hearing and determine if hearing loss is part of the problem. Also, use hearing protection at work! You can get over the counter hearing protection or custom made protection from an audiologist.
I have had it for almost five months and been putting a drop of helichrysm on a cotton ball in my ear only if it’s ringing. I’ve been listening to my favorite sound therapy music on YouTube and now I’m starting to do the exercises from here. I’m not as stressed as I used to be in a long time. I hope it works because it’s driving me crazy!
Jenny, it has been 8 months since you posted this. I am interested in knowing if this has helped you get some relief?
I have only had the symptoms for the past six months or so, and mentioned them to my physician along with a lightheadedness. He prescribed a medication ( Betahistine ) common to the lightheaded problem to be taken as needed, initially every four hours, then less often . The ringing though has become almost constant, and actually seems more pronounced, but being lightheaded has stopped. I do drink coffee regularly in the morning, no alcohol, and my work history involved exposure regularly to loud noises, but I have been retired for the past two years, which makes me wonder why the ringing had not started sooner. I tend not to suffer from stress but the ringing is beginning to get annoying.
I had ringing in my ears since I was 20 years old now I am 65 almost and the ringing is constant, tried cutting back on coffee and cleaning out my ears only cutting back on coffee seemed to help some so not sure what really works they say it is a age thing that won’t go away but am proud of any one that is determined enough to see it go, I do believe God is able to overcome it, as I am a believer, only haven’t really taken this symptom to Him yet although he if any one can remove
thanks for your posts we , but we have to turn to the one who created everything and then perhaps when we ask him sincerely he will intervene , putting all my trust and confidence in the Great Spirit , God
I am 68, I started with ringing in my ears about 12 yrs. ago. I don’t think there is any help, nothing has worked and it has gotten louder as I have gotten older. I am now going to a ENT, and have had sinus infection that was really bad, and made me feel like I was under water and the pressure was awful, the ringing was the loudest its ever been, and I couldn’t hear out of my left ear. I am now on some new meds for the pressure, and infection. I am hoping when this is all over, and am better,, the Dr. will be able to help me with the ringing ears.
I have been told by many doctors that my nerves are dead an the ringing is my brain and that there is no cure