April 3, 2025 - ADHD
Discover natural, science-backed methods to calm the noise and restore inner peace.
Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external source. It’s often described as:
– Ringing
– Buzzing
– Hissing
– Roaring
– Clicking
– Chirping
It can occur in one or both ears, be constant or intermittent, and vary in loudness and pitch. It is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying issue, often related to the auditory system.
Types of Tinnitus
1. Subjective Tinnitus – Heard only by the individual (most common).
2. Objective Tinnitus—Rare; can be heard by a doctor using a stethoscope. It is usually due to vascular or muscular issues near the ear.
3. Pulsatile Tinnitus – Sounds like a heartbeat, often caused by vascular abnormalities.
4. Somatic Tinnitus – Linked to musculoskeletal issues (TMJ, neck tension, etc.).
Common Causes of Tinnitus
Ear-Related Causes
-Hearing loss (age-related or noise-induced)
– Earwax blockage
– Middle ear infections
– Eustachian tube dysfunction
– Otosclerosis (abnormal bone growth in the middle ear)
Neurological Causes
– Acoustic neuroma (benign tumor on the auditory nerve)
– Multiple sclerosis
– Head or neck trauma
Jaw, Neck, and Muscular Triggers
– TMJ dysfunction
– Cervical spine misalignment
– Bruxism (teeth grinding)
Drug-Induced (Ototoxicity)
– Aspirin, NSAIDs
– Loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide)
– Certain antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin)
– Chemotherapy agents (e.g., cisplatin)
Vascular Causes
– High blood pressure
– Atherosclerosis
– Arteriovenous malformations
– Venous hums
Other Contributing Factors
– Chronic stress or anxiety
– Sleep deprivation
– Nutrient deficiencies (e.g., B12, magnesium)
– Thyroid or hormonal imbalances
– Exposure to loud noise (concerts, gunshots, machinery)
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Mainstream Medical Treatments for Tinnitus
1. Hearing Aids
– For those with hearing loss, hearing aids can improve external sounds and reduce awareness of tinnitus.
– Some devices include masking tones or sound generators.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
– One of the most effective treatments.
– Helps reframe emotional reactions to tinnitus and reduce distress.
– Shown to lower anxiety and improve quality of life.
3. Sound Therapy
– Uses white, pink, or customized noise to mask or desensitize the tinnitus.
– Often delivered through:
– Sound machines
– Phone apps
– Wearable devices
4. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
– Combines sound therapy and counseling.
– Helps the brain habituate and filter out the tinnitus signal.
– Requires a commitment of several months to years.
5. Medications (Off-Label Use)
– Antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline) – for severe tinnitus with anxiety/depression.
– Anti-anxiety meds (e.g., alprazolam) – may reduce tinnitus perception in some.
– Anticonvulsants – have been tried with mixed results.
None of these drugs are FDA-approved for tinnitus and often carry side effects.
6. Treatment of Underlying Conditions
– Removing earwax
– Managing high blood pressure
– Treating TMJ dysfunction
– Stopping ototoxic medications if possible
7. Surgery
– Reserved for rare cases (e.g., acoustic neuroma, vascular malformations).
– Not commonly used for typical tinnitus.
Here are some integrative strategies that might help:
Structured auditory training and customized tones can help desensitize tinnitus and retrain the brain to reduce its perception. The most effective approaches involve neuromodulation techniques, which gradually change how the auditory system processes phantom sounds.
Here are some key methods:
1. Notched Sound Therapy (Tailored Sound Therapy)
– How it Works: This method involves identifying the dominant frequency of the tinnitus and filtering that frequency out of music or white noise. Over time, this helps the brain **ignore** the tinnitus tone.
– DIY Method:
1. Identify the tinnitus frequency using an online tone generator, e.g., audiocheck.net: https://www.audiocheck.net
or myNoise.net:
https://mynoise.net
2. Use a notched sound therapy app (like AUDIO NOTCH, Tinnitracks, or Oto) to remove that frequency from background music or pink noise.
3. Listen to the modified sound for 1-2 hours daily for brain retraining.
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2. Neuromodulation Therapy (TRT & Acoustic Coordinated Reset)
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) uses gentle broadband noise (often mixed with relaxing nature sounds) to help the brain tune out tinnitus over time.
Acoustic Coordinated Reset Neuromodulation (CR-NM) uses randomized pulses of sound at different frequencies to disrupt and reset the hyperactive neural circuits causing tinnitus.
– Example: The Lenire Device plays customized tones through bone conduction to stimulate the vagus nerve and auditory system together.
– At-Home Alternative Using a mix of pink noise and randomized frequency modulation apps like Neuromod Tinnitus Therapy.
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3. Binaural Beats & Isochronic Tones for Tinnitus
– 528 Hz & 432 Hz – Calming frequencies that promote relaxation and can indirectly reduce tinnitus perception.
– Binaural Beats (Delta & Theta Waves)** – These use two slightly different frequencies in each ear, which the brain reconciles, helping **reduce hyperactivity in the auditory cortex.
– Example:
– 3 Hz to 8 Hz for deep relaxation (Theta/Delta Waves)
– 40 Hz for **neuroplasticity enhancement**
– Try YouTube Channels like “Healing Tones 528 H or apps like Brain.fm.
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4. Neuromuscular and Cranial Stimulation Paired with Sound
– Somatic Sound Therapy – Pairing gentle jaw or neck movements while listening to tailored tones (especially for TMJ-related tinnitus).
– Vagus Nerve Stimulation with Sound –
– Humming at a low frequency (around 130-200 Hz).
– Listening to low-frequency vibrations with a bone conduction headset (like Aftershokz or Bose Frames).
– Breathing in sync with a slow rhythmic pulse (HRV training + sound).
5. White, Pink, and Brown Noise Therapy
– Pink Noise – Balanced frequency noise that is smoother than white noise, used for auditory system calming.
– Brown Noise – Deep, low-frequency noise that mimics ocean waves, which some find more soothing for tinnitus.
– Apps to Try:
– myNoise (Custom frequency tuning)
– ReSound Relief App (Customizable soundscapes)
– Oto App (AI-driven tinnitus sound therapy)
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6. Classical & Ambient Music Therapy (Customized)
Some studies have found that low–tone classical music, such as Bach, Mozart, and Debussy, reduces tinnitus distress.
– Sound Masking with Ocean or Rain Sounds – These provide broad-frequency stimulation, gently distracting from the tinnitus tone.
– Best Approach: Listen to instrumental music with no vocals** at a low but audible volume.
7. Bone Conduction & Vibroacoustic Therapy (Advanced)
How it Works: It bypasses the ear and directly stimulates auditory pathways through the skull. This method can help with tinnitus linked to hearing loss or TMJ issues.
– Devices to Try:
– AfterShokz Bone Conduction Headphones
– NeuroTuner (integrates with vagus nerve therapy)
– Sound Oasis VTS-1000 (low-frequency vibration + sound)
In conclusion, while tinnitus can be a profoundly disruptive condition, a holistic approach offers many tools to reduce its impact and restore quality of life. By addressing root causes—such as stress, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and visual and jaw imbalances—and integrating natural therapies like sound retraining, vagus nerve stimulation, and plant-based remedies, individuals can begin desensitizing the auditory system and find lasting relief. Healing is not just about silencing the sound—it’s about restoring harmony to the body, mind, and nervous system.