So, you’ve tried all the treatments? Or maybe you’re looking for something alternative? Or a treatment which you can use alongside other treatments to increase the effectiveness. Many people have used supplements to help maintain their health or control symptoms related to illness. Tinnitus is no different. There are lots of supplements on the market which claim to help control ringing in the ears.
Most supplements can be found in your local supermarket or health food shop. They are manufactured to supplement the diet and come in many forms – liquid, tablet or powder.
Here are 5 supplements which can help control tinnitus.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo has been shown to help improve tinnitus and memory. It has been shown to help improve blood flow to the brain and has been used for its medicinal properties in Chinese medicine for centuries. If your tinnitus is caused by circulatory problems, then Ginkgo could really help with your symptoms. Usually, relief should begin to be felt around 6 weeks after you start taking them. But you should also feel like your memory is sharper within 10 days.
Ginkgo is available in a capsule form and comes from the maidenhair tree. It is known as one of the world’s oldest living tree species or a ‘living fossil’ as it was on the earth around 350 million years ago!
Zinc
The inner ear has a huge concentration of zinc – more than any other organ. There are studies which have shown a link between zinc deficiency and tinnitus as well as hearing loss.
One study performed in 2003 found that supplementation of zinc can reduce the loudness of tinnitus by 10 decibels. Overall, 46.4 % of patients given zinc had significant results relating to their tinnitus.
Zinc is an essential trace element needed by humans and plants, without it we are more susceptible to illness and disease. It is generally helpful in age-related tinnitus. Zinc can be bought in capsule or lozenge form.
Vitamin B12
Around half of people living with tinnitus are also deficient in vitamin B12, a vitamin needed to keep our nervous system healthy. The vitamin is also essential for many functions in the body.
For many who have a low B12 level, their tinnitus is resolved when they are given supplements. A form of vitamin B12 called methylcobalamin is normally prescribed by a health professional.
A pilot study carried out in 2016 showed that patients who were deficient in B12 and had tinnitus found their symptoms eased when supplemented with B12. The participants were given intramuscular injections for 6 weeks and suggested that B12 could have a therapeutic role in the management of tinnitus.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is found naturally in some foods and is an antioxidant so helps the body fight the nasty effects of free radicals. People who are given medications to reduce their cholesterol level sometimes have lower Q10 levels.
In the past, it has been shown that coenzyme Q10 can help the recovery of tiny hairs in the ears which are damaged, a possible cause of tinnitus. In one study, participants were given 300mg per day for 16 weeks and found their tinnitus symptoms improved significantly. They also stated that they were able to sleep better and could concentrate more.
Coenzyme Q10 has been shown to be very effective for those whose tinnitus is caused by benign tumours known as acoustic neuromas. The tumours are not life-threatening but they can push on other areas of the ear, affecting hearing and causing tinnitus. Coenzyme Q10 can help to get rid of a tumour and relieve the symptoms associated with tinnitus at the same time.
Manganese
Manganese is often a popular dietary supplement used by tinnitus sufferers. Deficiency in manganese can lead to some ear disorders including tinnitus.
Manganese is found in many food sources. Intake of this trace element is essential for our health and the maintenance of our bodies. However, it is important that we don’t consume too much as this can also have harmful effects.
Manganese has been shown to help us to control the adverse effects of stress as well as helping to maintain our sense of wellbeing. As tinnitus can cause great stress, the intake of manganese may have a stabilising effect. There are many personal accounts form tinnitus sufferers who believe supplementation of manganese has really benefited them and reduced the ringing in their ears.