Many people are bothered by tinnitus, they have undergone many tests but can not find the reason why they have this condition. Due to my many years experience and Chinese medicine theory; tinnitus is associated with internal organ disorder and certain channels being blocked. In this article I would like to share my knowledge with you, and help you to find the cause of your tinnitus.

1. What is tinnitus and its symptoms

Tinnitus is a ringing condition in the inner ear, the ringing frequency can be dissimilar, it can be of high or low pitch, heavy or fine pitch. Some people relate tinnitus to insect sounds or loud airplanes. Many people of varying ages are diagnosed with tinnitus, many of whom are left untreated. The ringing condition comes and goes without notice, especially during the quietest time the ringing becomes more obvious, this can greatly impede one’s life-style, for example, affecting listening ability and sleep, resulting in restlessness whilst sitting up or lying down.

2. Causes

Chinese medicine has special interest in, and an effective treatment options for tinnitus. Chinese medicine believes that tinnitus is not an auditory disease, rather, it is often related to certain channels and particular internal organ.

i) Kidney disorder

The kidneys are considered to be one of the vital organs causing tinnitus. In Chinese medicine the kidneys and ears have a close internal relationship because “the Kidneys open up to the ears”. The Kidneys are responsible for promoting Qi and Blood to the ears, and maintaining normal physiological functioning. When your Kidneys are disordered such as kidney ying weakness the ears are unable to receive adequate Blood and Qi from the Kidneys, resulting in tinnitus.

The characteristics of tinnitus caused by kidney disorder;
The ringing sound can be as fine as insect sounds, if you use your hands to cover the ears, the ringing sound will be diminished or disappear. At the same time, you may have the following symptoms such as; lethargy, dizziness, waist/hip pain, knee pain, impotence, lowered libido, frequent urination (especially at night time), thirsty at night time, wake up early.

Suggestion:

How to treat this type tinnitus?

Usually with this type of tinnitus we tonify the kidneys to help improve the circulation to the ear.

What to eat?

You should eat certain foods which work by tonifying the kidneys. Foods such as; black sesame seeds, goji berries, prawns, beef or beef soup, black kidney beans, soya beans (If you would like some more suggestions, please see our other articles on diet therapy).

Looking after your lower back

As the kidneys are located in the lower back, you should keep the lower back in a good condition to ensure that the area is warm and rich in circulation. If you have lower back pain it is important to resolve this issue while you are undergoing treatment for tinnitus.

Avoid overdoing intercourse

Chinese medicine believes that having too much intercourse will damage kidney essence. If the kidney essence becomes weak it may cause tinnitus.

i) Liver and gallbladder disorder

Chinese medicine considers liver and gallbladder disorder is one cause of tinnitus.

Why does the diseased Liver or Gall Bladder result in tinnitus? Because the meridians of the Liver and Gall bladder run around the ears, when the Liver and Gall bladder have a blockage and heat, it will move along the meridians reaching the ears, blocking the ear circulation, causing tinnitus.

This type of tinnitus has a particular sound intensity and feature: it sounds like running water or loud machinery noise. When the ears are covered by the hands, the ringing sound will louder. At the same time you may have the following symptoms, such as; easily to become angry, very emotional, stressed, reddened face and hot bodied, restlessness and frequent dreaming, insomnia, constipation or sluggish bowel movement, abdomen feeling full or bloating,neck and shoulder stiff and painful, headache, itchy ears.

Suggestions:

i) Avoid spicy and deep fried foods

If you have this type of tinnitus, you should avoid spicy food and deep fried foods, you should eat a reasonable amount of food that clears and balances the Liver and gallbladder. Celery, carrot, oranges, green tea, mint tea, lemon and green leafy vegetables help to clear the blockage and heat within the Liver and Gallbladder, and adjusts ear circulation to help tinnitus.

ii) Slow down your lifestyle

The liver and gallbladder are affected by stress and strong emotions. By slowing down you lifestyle and reducing the pressures on you it can support the liver and gallbladder which can prevent tinnitus.

iii) Relaxing exercise outdoors

Doing regular relaxing exercise such as walking, light jogging, swimming, yoga, tai chi, meditation and listening to soft music is good for your liver and gallbladder function.

iii) Other reasons causing tinnitus

Chinese medicine also believes that if there is a circulation problem around the ear, neck or shoulder region it may cause tinnitus, such as; motor vehicle accidents, injury to the neck and shoulder blades, nasal inflammation, headaches and severe cold/flu, infection in the teeth.

3. What do you do if you suffer from tinnitus?

i) If you have tinnitus which you were unable to treat by yourself, you should seek medical attention to get a general check up.

ii) If you were unable to find any cause from your general check up, you should see you natural therapist. Chinese medicine is a very effective natural treatments which can help you with your tinnitus.

iii) When you come to see us, we find out the cause of the tinnitus through traditional diagnosis methods (tongue and pulse). We will make an individual treatment plan for you which may include Chinese herbal medicine or acupuncture or cupping or Chinese massage or scrubbing.