Page 69 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: EYE AND EAR PROBLEMS 67

Tinnitus

If you suffer from tinnitus, you experience ringing, buzzing, or hissing noises that seem to be generated
inside your ears or head with no external source for the sound. The noises, which may be continuous or
may come and go, can affect sleep and concentration, and may make you depressed and anxious over time.
Tinnitus is often linked to hearing loss, particularly in later life, or to repeated exposure to loud noise. Stress
may make the problem worse. Air travel, high blood pressure, earwax buildup, certain inner ear problems,
and some medications can all contribute to tinnitus. Sometimes, however, there is no apparent cause.
See also Earwax, p.63; Popping ears, opposite page.

See your doctor first
NATURAL REMEDIES
Make an appointment to see your doctor to
confirm tinnitus and to find out whether a Ginkgo preparations (see p.183) are
medicine you are taking, such as aspirin, made from the leaves of the maidenhair tree and
is causing the problem or making it worse. have been shown to help some people with tinnitus.
They are available in pharmacies and health stores,
but you need to consult your doctor before using
them. Follow the dosage instructions carefully.
What you can do yourself
Taking ginkgo
There isn’t always a cure for tinnitus, but there are You will probably have to take
various things you can do that minimize its effects a ginkgo supplement for 4–6
and make it easier to live with. weeks to find out if it is
going to be helpful.
● Try using other sounds to distract you and mask
the tinnitus. When you are trying to sleep, put on
a fan, play soft music, listen to a ticking clock, or
tune a radio so you can hear the interference hiss.
● Protect your ears with earplugs or earmuffs in
noisy places or when you are using power tools such
as a drill, since loud noise may make tinnitus worse.

● Cut down on caffeinated drinks such as coffee
and cola. You should also avoid tonic water (which
contains quinine), alcohol, and tobacco smoke.
All of these substances make tinnitus worse. Seek further medical advice
● A low-salt diet may be helpful. Add less salt Arrange to see your doctor again if:
when cooking and use herbs and spices instead.
● Your tinnitus gets worse, or does not respond
● Using ginkgo may help reduce tinnitus (see to the treatment advised by your doctor or to
NATURAL REMEDIES, right). the self-help measures described above
● You also feel dizzy or sick
● If stress makes your tinnitus worse, get
● You develop hearing loss
regular exercise and try using measures to reduce
stress in your life (see STRESS, pp.20–21).
● If you have persistent tinnitus, joining a support
group for sufferers can be a good way to share
problems and discuss solutions.