Tinnitus, often known as ‘ringing in the ears’, affects around 30% of the global population.
With a wide range of possible causes and severity, tinnitus can significantly disrupt daily life, making it difficult to sleep, concentrate, and go about your usual activities.
If you’re struggling with tinnitus, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider to identify the cause and explore effective treatments. While there’s no cure for it, tinnitus is manageable. Both Western and Eastern approaches offer solutions to ease symptoms and help you reclaim your quality of life.
Curious about how Chinese Medicine can help? Discover more in this article by Peter Popham in The Independent. For personalised advice, visit us or get free online health advice from our expert physicians.
How can we help?
Chinese Medicine has a long history of addressing common hearing ailments, including hearing loss and deafness, and may offer a valuable approach to managing tinnitus. While research is still ongoing, several studies have shown significant positive outcomes in using Chinese Medicine for tinnitus, especially when combined with Western approaches.
Research suggests that Chinese Medicine may help reduce the intensity of tinnitus symptoms by stimulating the nervous system, improving circulation, and supporting the body’s natural healing processes. Additionally, the calming effects of Acupuncture can help alleviate stress and anxiety—common triggers that often worsen tinnitus.
The goal of Chinese Medicine is always twofold: addressing the underlying imbalance while also alleviating symptoms, and strengthening both the mind and body to help patients better cope with the physical and emotional aspects of the condition.
How quickly will you see results?
We usually recommend at least 4 weeks to see significant results, though the timeline can vary depending on your unique needs and the severity of the condition. That said, many people start noticing improvements after just a couple of sessions.
Our physicians will track your progress, adjusting the approach as needed to ensure the best possible outcome for you.
About Tinnitus
The term “Tinnitus,” borrowed from the Latin tinnīre meaning “to ring,” describes a persistent ringing sound in the ears when no external noise is present. It can be either temporary or permanent, and while it’s more common in those over 60, it can affect people of all ages.
Rather than being a standalone disorder, tinnitus is often a symptom of an underlying condition affecting the inner ear or auditory system. The sound is usually described as ringing, buzzing, roaring, or whistling, and can be heard in one or both ears. It may come and go, or be constant, and can vary in pitch from low to high—high-pitched sounds are the most common.
The most common risk factors for tinnitus include exposure to sudden loud noises, such as music or explosions, ear infections, and ear wax buildup. Less common factors include heart and blood vessel diseases, injuries or disorders affecting the head, neck, or jaw, brain tumours, tumours on the auditory nerve, and Meniere’s disease. Tinnitus has also been linked to certain medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, sedatives, antibiotics, and antidepressants, where it may appear as a side effect.
Tinnitus comes in four main types:
- Subjective tinnitus: The most common type, where only the person affected can hear the sound. It’s often linked to exposure to loud noise and can appear suddenly, lasting anywhere from 3–12 months.
- Neurological tinnitus: Less common, this type is caused by brain disorders affecting the auditory system, such as Meniere’s disease, which impacts hearing and balance.
- Somatic tinnitus: Connected to the sensory system and nerve sensitivity, symptoms may be triggered or worsened by actions like clenching the jaw or pressing on the neck.
- Objective tinnitus: A rare form that can be heard by an outside observer, usually caused by involuntary muscle contractions or abnormal blood vessels. In some cases, treating the underlying cause can permanently resolve the tinnitus.
In severe cases, tinnitus can significantly impact mental health, leading to insomnia, difficulty concentrating, and a decline in quality of life. This can, in turn, contribute to anxiety and depression. For lasting relief, a comprehensive approach that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of tinnitus is key to achieving effective, long-term results.
Western Medicine View
In Western medicine, tinnitus doesn’t have a single cause—it’s often a symptom of various underlying health conditions, and in many cases, the exact cause remains elusive.
While there’s no cure for tinnitus at the moment, addressing any underlying conditions can often improve symptoms, and in some cases, resolve the issue entirely. When no clear cause is found, the focus shifts to managing symptoms and improving the patient’s quality of life. However, treatment options are still limited, and there are no proven prescription drugs available yet. Many of the available medications have side effects, and their safety and effectiveness are still being evaluated.
To manage tinnitus, hearing aids and sound-masking devices are often recommended, as well as vasodilator drugs to improve blood flow to the cochlea and inner ear tissue. Counselling and antidepressant therapy are also commonly prescribed, as many patients experience anxiety and depression due to the ongoing effects of tinnitus.
Chinese Medicine View
In Chinese Medicine, tinnitus is seen as a circulation issue, often affecting the ear, neck, or shoulder areas. It is believed to be caused by one or more imbalances in the body, either from ‘Excess’ or ‘Deficiency’, primarily affecting the Kidney-Bladder network, which is thought to govern the auditory system and sense of hearing.
According to Chinese Medicine, tinnitus is classified into four primary types, with two stemming from excess imbalances and two from deficiency imbalances. Excess-type tinnitus tends to appear suddenly, while deficiency-type tinnitus develops more gradually. In many cases, a combination of both can be found in patients with tinnitus.
Excess-type tinnitus – Continuous
This type is characterised by a sudden, constant ringing, often following exposure to loud sounds. It may come with headaches, irritability, and insomnia. In Chinese Medicine, this is typically attributed to an overactive Liver Qi and an accumulation of Gallbladder Fire.
Excess-type tinnitus – Intermittent
This type involves sudden, intermittent ringing or noise in the ears, possibly accompanied by hearing loss, congestion, dizziness, and nausea. TCM attributes this to an accumulation of hot phlegm blocking the auditory pathways.
Deficiency-type tinnitus – Continuous
This type is characterised by a gradual onset of symptoms, including dizziness, impaired memory, and weakness, particularly in the knees, joints, and lower back. In Chinese Medicine, it is linked to Kidney deficiency and is often triggered by stress, ageing, poor diet, and lifestyle.
Deficiency-type tinnitus – Intermittent
This type 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 Chinese Medicine.
Chinese 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 for excess-type tinnitus, they focus on calming and soothing the body, helping to restore natural harmony.
Lifestyle Advice
While there may not be a cure for tinnitus, there are plenty of strategies, lifestyle changes, and tips that can help reduce the intensity and frequency of symptoms, as well as boost the effectiveness of your treatments.
Here’s how you can take control:
- 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. - Manage stress and fatigue
Make time for relaxation every day. Find what works for you—whether it’s exercise, meditation, Tai Chi, yoga, or simple relaxation techniques. These can help restore energy and calm your mind. - Eat mindfully
Focus on a balanced, whole-food diet, eating regularly throughout the day. Cut back on dairy and greasy foods, which may aggravate symptoms.
Incorporating these simple habits into your daily routine can help bring your body back into balance. For more tailored advice, reach out to our fully qualified CMIR-registered physicians, combining Western medical expertise with Chinese Medicine for the best results.
BOOK APPOINTMENT