subject: Help For Tinnitus Frequently Asked Questions [print this page] What is tinnitus? What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus, commonly referred to as "ringing ears", is the medical term for the perception of sound in one or both ears or in the head when no external sound is present. Not every one hears just ringing. Other types of sounds heard by tinnitus sufferers include hissing, roaring, whistling, chirping or clicking. It can be constant, frequent, or just occasional. And the volume level can range from just audible to unbearable.
I have tinnitus and I feel so alone. Do many people have tinnitus?
It is estimated that over 50 million Americans have some degree of tinnitus. In most people it is just an annoyance but almost two million patients have tinnitus so bad they can't functional normally. When you can't hear what is going on around you, it does tend to make you feel isolated. But you are definitely now alone in your struggle.
I've heard there is no tinnitus cure. That's depressing. Can it be true?
The medical establishment and American Tinnitus Association states that there is no actual tinnitus cure. But don't be discouraged as thousands of tinnitus sufferers have gotten partial or total tinnitus relief using a variety of tinnitus remedies.
What are the best tinnitus remedies?
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to that question. It depends who you talk to. If you ask your doctor he might tell you there is nothing you can do except learn to live with it or he might recommend drugs or surgery. If you go to a homeopath, he'll tell you which tinnitus homeopathic remedies he thinks are best. An acupuncturist will tell you acupuncture plus some tinnitus herbal treatments will be the tinnitus cure. And of course if you ask anyone who has gotten tinnitus relief from, let's say, standing on their head, they will say that is the tinnitus cure! So ultimately, the best tinnitus remedy is the one that works for you.
Are there any lifestyle changes I should make to help stop tinnitus?
Poor lifestyle choices definitely can contribute to tinnitus. These include smoking, high salt intake, high sugar intake, all artificial sweeteners, MSG, and caffeine.
Some drugs, whether they are over-the-counter or prescription can cause tinnitus. The families of drugs that can cause tinnitus are the "anti" families - antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants. If you noticed a correlation between your tinnitus and taking any medication, you might want to talk to your doctor about trying something new. Ironically some of these same drugs are used to treat tinnitus!
Are there any natural tinnitus treatments?
Yes! There are many natural tinnitus treatments that have brought thousands of people relief. They include acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal remedies, vitamin supplements, and tinnitus homeopathic remedies.
Are certain personality types more likely to get tinnitus?
Yes. Type A personalities are more prone to having tinnitus. Regardless of your basic personality, it is helpful to get your stress level under control. Consider meditation, yoga, biofeedback or other forms of relaxation. If being still and quiet is too foreign to you, be sure you burn off energy by getting plenty of exercise.
