Often poorly understood, tinnitus nevertheless affects a large part of the population. Perceptible continuously, hearing problems can quickly turn into a nightmare. Today, there is no treatment to permanently remove tinnitus. However, there are natural tips and solutions to reduce unpleasant noises in the ear. We tell you everything about this disabling disease on a daily basis: definition, causes, symptoms and natural treatments.
Summary
Tinnitus: What is that ?
Tinnitus is noise that a person can hear temporarily or continuously inside the ear. These noises can take various forms and sound like hissing, buzzing, crackling, hissing, etc.
Little known, tinnitus can be anecdotal when it occurs transiently. On the other hand, they become intolerable and disabling on a daily basis when they are permanent. 150,000 people in France suffer from tinnitus in a severe form.
The causes
We must first distinguish the two types of tinnitus existing:
- the objective tinnitus are very rare (about 5% of cases). They are related to real noise and therefore measurable. This type of tinnitus is produced by an anomaly present in the region of the inner ear. In this case, it may be a vascular malformation, muscle contractions or damage to the cochlea (the organ of hearing). To eliminate objective tinnitus, recourse to surgical correction is possible;
- the subjective tinnitus account for 95% of cases. These are then phantom sounds that have no reality in the auditory system of people who suffer from it. Generally, this kind of tinnitus appears in seniors and seems associated with repeated sound exposure or deafness related to aging. In the latter case, we speak of presbycusis. Note that subjective tinnitus can also occur after sudden sound trauma or head trauma.
On the other hand, hyperacusis can also explain the occurrence of tinnitus. This is an increase in sensitivity to moderate sounds (eg clinking of cutlery on a plate). This disorder usually occurs after a sound trauma, which evolves into tinnitus.
Then, taking medication is also one of the possible causes of the onset of tinnitus. The main incriminated drugs are anti-inflammatories (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.), cancer treatments, diuretics, antibiotics, antimalarials, as well as certain antidepressants such as Prozac.
Finally, note that some diseases also manifest as tinnitus. Among them, Ménière’s syndrome, cardiovascular disease, cancerous tumors, and possibly thyroid disease, high blood pressure and cervical osteoarthritis.
Symptoms
Among the symptoms of tinnitus, there is first the noise which can be similar to various sounds such as pulsations, clicking, ringing, rustling, etc. Typically, people who suffer from tinnitus report ringing.
Then, depending on its cause, tinnitus can be accompanied by other symptoms such as hearing loss, nausea, drowsiness or dizziness, or a feeling of having plugs in the ears.
On the other hand, subjects with tinnitus generally suffer from an intolerance to loud noises. We are talking about hyperacusis.
Note: tinnitus is more bearable during the day when it is masked by other noises (those from home or work, for example). But in the evening, when the environment is quieter, tinnitus becomes more noticeable. This can then lead to sleep disturbances in the subject.
Natural treatments to relieve tinnitus
There is no treatment to suppress tinnitus, whether objective or subjective. On the other hand, the challenge is to get used to the disorder to make it disappear, to “live with it”. And natural tips exist to better live with tinnitus.
A hearing aid
In case of hearing loss, the Wearing a hearing aid is recommended. This equipment is sometimes enough to improve or even overcome tinnitus. Indeed, this restores good hearing, which will mask the parasitic noises.
And even in the absence of hearing loss, wearing a hearing aid can reduce the perception of tinnitus. However, the improvement is slow to occur, and requires several months of daily wearing of the equipment.
To note : wearing a hearing aid will be combined with psychological support to optimize the results.
Focus on other noises
To forget your tinnitus, it is essential to don’t focus on it. Therefore, forget the earplugs and focus on other noises. For example, you can listen to music with a moderate sound, or you play recordings of white noise or water noise. Today there are many background music with this kind of sound.
eat garlic
Garlic has many health benefits. They can even reduce tinnitus when it is caused by too high blood pressure. Then combine garlic with rosemary to restore blood circulation.
Essential oils
Some essential oils are recommended for tinnitus. Among them, Italian helichrysum essential oil, marjoram or bitter orange petit grain. These products will help you deal with your tinnitus.
Seek advice from a specialist to prevent any contraindications.
Sophrology
Anxiety and stress do not mix well with hearing problems. To relax and ward off tinnitus, practice sophrology sessions.
homeopathy
This natural solution can be considered. It is advisable to take granules of Arnica, Chinimum Sulfuricum and Natrum Salicylicum in case of recent tinnitus. And if the ear troubles have been there for a long time, use Arscencium album and Ignatia Amara granules instead.
chinese medicine
Acupressure or acupuncture is effective against tinnitus. Depending on your profile, the specialist will suggest a suitable remedy.
Indeed, traditional Chinese medicine considers that tinnitus can be caused by the kidney, liver or spleen. According to these three different axes, the therapist will distinguish a different sound in the ear.
Osteopathy
This discipline is indicated to relieve muscular tension in the cervical or jaw areas. In addition, osteopathy releases mechanical, muscular or emotional dysfunctions.
It is recommended to practice three sessions per month to reduce or even eliminate unpleasant noises in the ears.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
This therapy often used to combat phobias can also relieve tinnitus. Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches breathing and relaxation techniques, which helps overcome anxiety.
