Tinnitus is a medical condition in which a person experiences ringing in the ears or hears other noises, such as hissing or roaring, that are not caused by external sources. Tinnitus can be a symptom of other medical conditions such as allergies or blood pressure problems, a side-effect of medication, or the result of hearing loss. In some cases, tinnitus doesn't seem to have a specific cause. Regardless of its origin, sufferers often seek relief from one or more tinnitus remedies such as treatment for neck and jaw conditions, anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications, herbs, and hypnosis.
Doctors who work with tinnitus patients will often first try to uncover a cause for the condition. This may include a battery of hearing tests, as well as allergy testing and a thorough physical examination. If the patient is currently using medications, the doctor may try substituting one medication for another to see if the tinnitus symptoms go away.
A doctor may also ask the patient to eliminate certain foods from his diet in hopes of discovering whether a food allergy is causing tinnitus. If the doctor is unable to determine the cause of the tinnitus, or determines that the tinnitus is the result of hearing loss or a chronic condition, he or she may suggest one or more tinnitus remedies.
If the tinnitus seems to have a physical cause, such as temporomandibular joint dysfunctions or high blood pressure, a physician may refer the patient to a dentist or other specialist for treatment. If the tinnitus is the result of hearing loss, hearing aids may help. If the cause is unclear, other mechanical tinnitus remedies may be prescribed such as cochlear implants or a sound device that is worn in the ear to help mask the sounds of tinnitus. Some people with tinnitus will use an external white noise machine to help block the tinnitus sounds.
When mechanical tinnitus remedies do not alleviate the patient's symptoms, doctors may prescribe antidepressant drugs, suggest biofeedback or refer the patient to a psychotherapist to help the patient manage his or her emotional reactions to his symptoms. Some patients may seek out tinnitus remedies offered by practitioners of alternative medicine. Some people with tinnitus swear by using nutritional therapy that includes supplementation with minerals such as zinc, or by taking herbs such as ginkgo biloba. Other alternative tinnitus remedies include acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, homeopathy and cranial-sacral therapy.