Tinnitus, that ringing, buzzing or crackling sound that can occur in one or both ears, is a common complaint. In fact, tinnitus is an issue that 10-25% of the population deals with on a daily basis. And for some, severe tinnitus is more than just an annoyance. It can interrupt sleep, a person’s ability to work and more. To date, there is no known cure for tinnitus and allopathic medicine falls short for most people.
Tinnitus is a ringing, humming or roaring sound in the ears, varying in pitch and intensity. It can last minutes to days, disrupting your overall wellbeing and further instigating other conditions such as anxiety, depression and insomnia. While nobody knows for sure what causes tinnitus, there are certain things that we know can contribute to it becoming an issue.
Treating tinnitus is tricky, because it is often a symptom of another underlying condition. Frequently, tinnitus can be caused by hearing loss, but this is not the only possible cause. Other common causes include head and neck injuries, ear infections, sinus pressure and infections, abnormal growths, and certain medications, such as cancer medicines, antidepressants and anti-inflammatory drugs. Some rarer causes include Meniere’s disease, inner-ear muscle spasms, TMJ disorders, blood vessel disorders, and even some chronic conditions like diabetes, hypothyroidism, anemia or lupus.
According to EAM, tinnitus does not have only one cause. It can be associated with a series of exogenous pathogenic factors or visceral diseases, such as emotional anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating or disturbance in life or work. Here is a breakdown of the possible EAM causes of tinnitus:
1. Excess Continuous Type – This type of tinnitus is characterized by a sudden, constant ringing, often following exposure to loud sounds. It may come with headaches, irritability and insomnia. In EAM, this is typically attributed to overactive liver energy and an accumulation of gallbladder heat.
2. Excess Intermittent Type – This type of tinnitus involves sudden, intermittent ringing or noise in the ears, possibly accompanied by hearing loss, congestion, dizziness and nausea. EAM attributes this to an accumulation of hot phlegm blocking the auditory pathways.
3. Deficiency Continuous Type – This type of tinnitus is characterized by a gradual onset of symptoms, including dizziness, impaired memory and weakness, particularly in the knees, joints and lower back. In EAM, it is linked to kidney deficiency and is often triggered by stress, aging, poor diet and lifestyle.
4. Deficiency Intermittent Type – This type of tinnitus involves symptoms that come and go, often improving with rest and worsening with stress. It is generally attributed to yang deficiency and impacts the spleen organ system in EAM.
East Asian Medicine approaches tinnitus by addressing the root cause of the imbalance while also relieving the symptoms. Once the specific pattern of tinnitus is identified, treatments, mainly acupuncture and tailored herbal formulas, aim to restore balance to the body and mind. For deficiency type tinnitus, treatments focus on tonifying and boosting energy, while treatments for excess type tinnitus focus on calming and soothing the body, helping to restore harmony and homeostasis.
There are also lifestyle choices everyone can make that will help with preventing or addressing tinnitus. The first is to always protect your ears. Wear earplugs and take precautions around loud environments, whether it’s at concerts, using power tools or playing live music. Protecting your ears from excessive noise is key.
Next, eat healthy foods and be mindful of what you ingest on a daily basis. Focus on a balanced, whole food diet, eating regularly throughout the day. Cut back on dairy and greasy foods, which are highly inflammatory and may aggravate symptoms.
Lastly, learn to manage your fatigue and stress. Make time for relaxation every single day. Find what works for you. It could be exercise, meditation, Tai Chi, yoga or simple relaxation techniques like deep breathing or humming. These can help restore energy and calm your mind.
If you or someone you love is experiencing chronic tinnitus, East Asian Medicine may be able to provide some relief. To schedule an appointment or get more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re always here to help.