Ringing in the ears, with no external cause, is referred to in the medical community as tinnitus. Tinnitus can be intermittent or chronic. This means it may occur occasionally, or it may be persistent and occur all the time. There are a number of different potential treatments for tinnitus that are available to patients experiencing these symptoms.
Hearing Therapies
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are both recommended by the American Tinnitus Association as potential cures for tinnitus. Hearing aids may help tinnitus that is associated with hearing loss at a specific frequency, by restoring hearing at that frequency so ambient sounds are able to block out the tinnitus. Cochlear implants may be also be able to reduce tinnitus symptoms by restoring hearing. However, cochlear implants may also reduce tinnitus or ringing in the ears because the electrodes implanted in the cochlea interrupt the signals that produce tinnitus.
Alternative Remedies
Alternative remedies may also be able to relieve symptoms of tinnitus. Acupuncture, which involves the use of pressure points, is recommended by the American Tinnitus Association. Magnet therapy, which involves wearing magnets on the body to change the body's electromagnetic energy, is also a recommended alternative therapy. Oxygen and hypnosis have proven effective for some patients experiencing ringing in their ears. Vitamin supplements including vitamin B, magnesium zinc and gingko biloba are recommended. Finally, biofeedbackm, which involves manipulating the body's reaction to stress by controlling the pulse and skin temperature, has helped to relieve ringing in the ears.
Drug Therapy
There are currently no drugs on the market specifically designed to relieve ringing in the ears. However, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications including Xanax and notriptyline have been used in some patients with limited success. The American Tinnitus Association also recommends trying anticoagulants and antihistamines to treat persistent and chronic ringing in the ears.
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