How to Treat Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a phenomenon caused by dysfunction of the auditory system and may also arise as a response to external stimuli. It commonly manifests as non-specific noises—intermittent or persistent in nature. So, how is tinnitus treated?

How Is Tinnitus Treated?

Tinnitus is generally classified into three types: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed. For sensorineural tinnitus, treatment typically focuses on improving microcirculation in the inner ear and nourishing the auditory nerve. For conductive tinnitus, prompt management of the underlying condition is essential—for example, treating otitis media with effusion, addressing abnormally low middle-ear pressure, or improving eustachian tube ventilation. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated notable efficacy in treating hearing loss and associated tinnitus.

Tinnitus refers to the subjective perception of sound in the ear—such as ringing, buzzing, or hissing—in the absence of an external acoustic or electrical stimulus. Its etiology is multifactorial, encompassing both disorders of the auditory system and systemic diseases. Auditory system disorders include cerumen impaction, foreign bodies in the external auditory canal, otitis media, otosclerosis, Ménière’s disease, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss, presbycusis, and acoustic neuroma.

Moreover, systemic conditions—including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, psychological stress, depression, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, cervical spondylosis, and temporomandibular joint disorders—can also contribute to tinnitus. Clinically, tinnitus may present unilaterally or bilaterally, sometimes accompanied by cranial (intracranial) sounds. Its duration may be continuous or intermittent, and its pitch may range from high-frequency sounds (e.g., chirping or whistling) to low-frequency humming or droning. We hope this information proves helpful. Wishing you good health and happiness!