Is ear cleaning effective for neural tinnitus?

Ear cleaning (cerumen removal) is generally ineffective for treating neural tinnitus. Neural tinnitus may arise when a person suffers from neurological disorders. Typically, ear cleaning not only fails to alleviate the condition but—especially if performed improperly—may cause external auditory canal injury or even tympanic membrane perforation. When neural tinnitus occurs, treatment usually involves medications that nourish and support nerve function.