Silence, please

Q: Do you have any advice on how to eliminate constant ringing in my ears?

JVW: What you are describing is called tinnitus, and it is often hard to pinpoint exactly what causes this condition. Blame has been placed on trauma to the inner ear, head, or neck; antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, or quinine use; ear wax; atherosclerosis or high cholesterol; high blood pressure; tumors or growths; circulatory problems; age-related hearing loss; and even some foods that are rich in salicylates, the same ingredient found in aspirin.

A few supplements have shown promise, but they are not a cure for the problem. You could try 80 milligrams of a standard preparation of Gingko biloba three times daily; 30 milligrams of zinc picolinate twice daily, along with 2 milligrams of copper twice daily. To take it a step further, you could try 1,000 micrograms of vitamin B12 injected once or twice weekly, along with 5 milligrams of folic acid each time.

Some have also gotten relief from regular acupuncture, or by adding a competing sound to their environment, like a white noise machine. Both can also ease the stress often associated with this condition.

Privacy Policy