Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

Tinnitus is a perception of sound in the absence of an acoustic stimulus. The sound may be a buzzing, ringing, roaring, whistling, or hissing, or it may involve more complex sounds that vary over time. Tinnitus may be intermittent, continuous, or pulsatile (synchronous with the heartbeat). An associated hearing loss with tinnitus is usually present. For more tinnitus information

Causes of Tinnitus
The mechanism causing tinnitus is obscure. Tinnitus may occur as a symptom of nearly all ear disorders, including obstruction of the ear canal by wax or a foreign body, infections (external otitis, myringitis, otitis media, labyrinthitis, meningitis), eustachian tube obstruction, otosclerosis, middle ear tumors, Meniere's disease, ototoxicity (due to aspirin, quinine and its synthetic analogs, aminoglycoside antibiotics, certain diuretics, carbon monoxide, heavy metals, alcohol), cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, arteriosclerosis, aneurysms), anemia, hypothyroidism, hereditary sensorineural or noise-induced hearing loss, acoustic trauma (blast injury), and head trauma all are possible causes of tinnitus.

Tinnitus workup
Evaluation of a patient with chronic tinnitus requires the minimum comprehensive audiologic assessment as well as CT of the temporal bone and MRI of the head. Pulsatile tinnitus requires investigation of the vascular system with carotid and vertebral arteriograms to exclude arterial obstruction, aneurysms, and vascular neoplasms.

Natural options for Tinnitus
 As of 2007, we are not aware of  natural therapies that cure or significantly improve tinnitus. There are a few that are worth trying.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy may be helpful in reducing tinnitus. Several studies have confirmed an association between psychological factors, such as anxiety and depression, and severe tinnitus. Assessment strategies used in CBT for tinnitus include structured interviews, daily diary ratings, and validated self-report questionnaires. The treatment approach includes applied relaxation, imagery and distraction techniques, advice regarding environmental sounds, management of sleep, cognitive restructuring of thoughts and beliefs associated with tinnitus, and relapse prevention.
Ginkgo biloba may be tried for up to four months to see if there is any improvement in tinnitus symptoms.
Since the serotonergic system is involved, 5-HTP may be tried for a couple of weeks. 
Acupuncture has not been demonstrated to be efficacious as a treatment for tinnitus on the evidence of rigorous randomized controlled trials.

Tinnitus Questions
Q. I can find NoFlush Niacin 500 mg but my doctor suggested I try niacin 50 mg daily to help my tinnitus; I don't seem to find it anywhere in that potency.

Q. I have had tinnitus for many years, Tinnitus cause is as always unknown? But tinnitus cure is also unknown as over 80 million people are affected with this disease. Yesterday I saw an ad on Tv here in Michigan, from Rite Aid drug store advertising the use of a very expensive pill Lipoflavonoid? I read through the Lipoflavonoid contents and found most are average vitamins of a normal (One a day Vitamin ). But a couple of ingredients are 1 Choline 334 mg 2 Bioflavonoids with Eridictyol Glycoside 300 mg. and lastly Inositol. I try to use common sense and find the main item that would help stamp out this ringing in my ears. Your web site has a lot of information about Inositol that sounds like this is the key ingredient needed to take and see if this lowers the loud sound and restores the hair in the ear channel and or something .
   A. We have not come across any good research regarding the use of natural supplements for tinnitus. We can't find research on Lipoflavonoid for tinnitus and if the company selling this product is making claims that it treats tinnitus, then they are violating FDA rules.
      Q. This is the Lipoflavonoid pills I saw at the drug store to use for tinnitus as in my e mail to you two days ago
You said you could not find any information on lipoflavnoid I just typed in the name on my computer. http://www.drhoffman.com/page.cfm/441
         A. There is a different between published research in peer reviewed medical journal publication and information on the internet. Information on the infernet on Lipoflavonoid may not necessarily reflect accuracy. We prefer to read published studies on Lipoflavonoid and as such we have not found any scientific studies published on Lipoflavonoid, hence we don't have an opinion on whether it works or not for tinnitus.

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