Home Remedies for Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a condition characterized by buzzing, ringing or other sounds heard in the ears. Several supplements and techniques are available to help reduce ear noises, lessening tinnitus. One technique in particular may reduce the noises to such an extent as to eliminate them in some people.

Loud Noise

Loud noises may irritate the nerves in the ear and damage the middle ear, according to physicians in the Department of Otolaryngology at University of California, Irvine. Loud noises are especially painful to those with tinnitus and in some cases, may actually cause the condition.

Caffeine

Eliminating caffeine from the diet will help increase blood flow to the nerves of the ear. The Loyola Medicine website adds that consumption of caffeine is responsible for reducing blood flow and worsening existing cases of tinnitus.

Salt Intake

Salt consumption affects fluid levels in the ear as well as blood pressure levels and kidney metabolism. Too much salt in the blood stream may raise the blood pressure, stimulating the flow of blood to the ears and head, thus causing tinnitus, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 2.

Gingko Biloba

Gingko biloba helps the blood flow to the head to increase, stimulating nerves in the ears and helping to prevent tinnitus, according to Sylvia Anderson, editor of the Insiders Health website. The recommended dose is two tablets of gingko, twice daily. Because gingko is an herb and may produce side effects, consult with a health practitioner for individual dosage and directions for use.

Tapping Remedy for Tinnitus

Dr. Jan Strydom of A2Z of Health, Beauty and Fitness.org recommends an unconventional technique for treating tinnitus that involves tapping on the back of the head in a particular manner 1.

The afflicted person places the palms of the hands to cover the ears with the fingers resting on the back of his head. The fingers should point to the area at the base of the skull where it meets the neck.

The next step is to place the index fingers on top of the middle fingers and firmly snap the index finger off the middle finger and onto the back of the head making a drumming sound. The palms of the hands should remain covering the ears. The tapping should be repeated about 50 times, and this should be done several times a day. Based on the severity of the tinnitus, some people have achieved lasting relief using this method.