Tinnitus refers to a ringing of the ears not caused by external stimuli. For some people, tinnitus can be a persistent and disruptive part of daily life. Her, we take a look at tinnitus and discuss four supplements that have the potential to mitigate it.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus refers to the condition when you experience a ringing sound in the ear, or ears, which is not caused by external sounds. It is a ringing which can only be heard by the person experiencing it. In a minority of cases, tinnitus manifests as a buzzing, roaring, clicking, or humming noise.
Roughly 15-20% of people experience tinnitus at some point in their lives, and it is more common in the elderly.
Oftentimes, the ringing of tinnitus is only mild. However, some people experience it to such a degree that it impairs their hearing, and it is disruptive to daily life. Tinnitus can come and go, or it can be constant.
Causes include hearing loss, ear infection, ear canal blockage, head or neck injury, and certain medications (e.g., NSAIDs).
The course of tinnitus varies, depending on the underlying cause. Those with an ear infection might experience tinnitus symptoms for a week or so. In other cases, it can last for months. Permanent tinnitus occurs in a minority of cases, usually resulting from chronic exposure to loud noise, hearing loss, or head injury. Persistent tinnitus merits medical attention, and treatment often means treating the underlying cause. There is no sure cure for the condition.
Supplements Which Could Mitigate Tinnitus
Some supplements have properties that work in the body such that they can potentially mitigate the symptoms of tinnitus. Here are some minerals and herbs which could help tinnitus:
Magnesium: Supplementing with magnesium is one of the most recommended over-the-counter means to address tinnitus. Those with tinnitus tend to be deficient in magnesium.
Taking magnesium can improve nerve signaling, and this is likely the reason that magnesium can help remedy tinnitus. This benefit of magnesium makes sense, considering that magnesium has been shown to help improve ear function in a general sense.
Ginkgo biloba is the most commonly used herbal supplement for tinnitus. It has the potential to mitigate tinnitus, and this potential is corroborated by scientific studies. This benefit of ginkgo biloba is likely due to its potential ability to improve blood circulation in the brain and in the inner ear.
Zinc deficiency is linked to tinnitus. As a result, those who experience tinnitus and are deficient in zinc could benefit from supplementing with it. Zinc supplementation is helpful in these cases because zinc is crucial for the functioning of the nerves in the cochlear part of the ear.
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin for neurological functioning, and deficiency in B12 could lead to both tinnitus and hearing loss. This is because the vascular and nervous systems of the ear could be impaired from this deficiency. Those with tinnitus who are B12 deficient should supplement with this vitamin, as it could improve tinnitus symptoms.
If you or a family member experience tinnitus, consider these two minerals and two herbs for their potential to help. Some of these could have interactions with certain medications, so discuss use of any of them with your healthcare provider before taking one of these.