Treatments for Tinnitus 3/3: Alternative Therapies

 

In this third post, I’ll describe the main alternative therapies currently available for treating (subjective and persistent) tinnitus.

Even though science has not yet been able to fully explain how most of these therapies work or what their therapeutic mechanism is, patients themselves frequently report that these approaches offer real benefits for managing tinnitus — either by relieving its discomfort or, in some specific cases, temporarily making it disappear.

 

Alternative Therapies

Beyond conventional (allopathic) medical approaches, there are also alternative methods rooted in holistic medicine, osteopathy, or homeopathy. These include the use of natural products and remedies, Eastern therapies, and various healing methods.

Different forms of acupuncture include Chinese acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and German acupuncture (also known as Neural Therapy).

Acupressure, according to some testimonials, can help reduce the frequency and intensity of tinnitus.

Auriculotherapy, developed as a medical discipline by Dr. Paul Nogier, involves the manipulation or stimulation (manual, electrical, or thermal) of specific points on the ear to restore balance in a particular area of the body that may be out of sync*. In the case of tinnitus, the issue would be abnormal neural activity producing excessive sound signals. This therapy is based on the connections between the auricle and the Central Nervous System. The folds and cartilage of the ear map to various organs in the body, forming a kind of somatotopic organization (a reflective map or control panel) that is more precise than those in the hands or feet — and, in the case of tinnitus, much more direct, since the ear is located right in the head.

Hand-healing methods include Reiki, Mahikari, Johrei, and others. Other forms of physical or spiritual healing include Bioneuroemotion (also called Biodecoding).

Sauna therapy may relieve tinnitus symptoms by promoting relaxation and reducing stress levels.

The “drumming” technique involves tapping the skull lightly with the index fingers. There’s also digitopressure, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, which involves massaging behind the ears for 10 to 15 seconds.

Sulfur therapy involves using sulfur bars on the outer ear.

Muscle-joint stretching involves gentle, slow, and sustained movements to prepare muscles and joints for more effort or range of motion.

Voluntary physical exercise may, in some cases, help modulate tinnitus and lead to habituation or relief of symptoms — not to mention its general benefits for blood circulation and lowering blood pressure.

Archery has also been suggested as a way to manage tinnitus due to its stress-reducing benefits.

Herbal therapies rely on medicinal plants or their derivatives. Some commonly mentioned are: Ginkgo Biloba (which increases blood flow to the head), Actaea Racemosa (Black Cohosh), Ligustrum, Vinpocetine, Hidrastis (Goldenseal), Indian Ginseng, Kudzu root, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, ground ivy tea (made with flowers and leaves), and Chinese herbal medicine like Gushen Pian. A 2022 study found that a combination of Rosa Canina, Urtica Dioica, and Tanacetum Vulgare, along with counseling, reduced tinnitus symptoms and several related effects (comorbidities) after three months of use.

Other promising results have been observed after three months of taking Alpha Lipoic Acid supplements — a fatty acid and antioxidant found in potatoes (specifically in the peel) and some other foods. This compound may help regenerate hair cells and the middle ear in general.

Home remedies include things like the “garlic cure” (garlic is known to lower high blood pressure), or placing the heart of an onion in the ear as an anti-inflammatory.

There are also homeopathic remedies for tinnitus, such as TinnaRex.

Craniosacral therapy is a type of gentle manual therapy.

Diet-based therapies are also frequently recommended for tinnitus and may involve: increased intake of antioxidant-rich foods (or antioxidant supplements), foods high in healthy fats (e.g., fish), cereals, seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and foods rich in omega-3s; exclusion/switching diets (to address intolerances like non-allergic food histaminosis – HANA), adenosine-promoting diets (to support circulation); and reducing intake of chocolate (especially milk chocolate), salt, saturated fats, artificial sweeteners, or certain chemicals like sodium chloride, glucose, and monosodium glutamate. Ketogenic diets (low-carb), general sugar reduction, and avoiding coffee, tea, alcohol, and cigarettes are also common suggestions.

Recommended vitamin supplements for tinnitus include: B vitamins (like thiamine, niacin, B6, and especially B12), vitamin E (e.g., E1000), vitamin A, and vitamin C, as well as the foods that contain them. Coenzyme Q10 is another supplement often used — it’s similar to vitamin E and may support auditory circulation. Recommended minerals include magnesium, zinc, and others, as well as foods that contain them. Oral neurotransmitter supplements used in tinnitus treatment include glycine and taurine.

Essential oil therapy using helichrysum or olive oil involves applying drops in the ear — often for inflammation-related tinnitus.

Ear candles are also known as ear cones.

Citrus extract-based therapies (bioflavonoids) are believed to help open cochlear pathways. Common sources include lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit, and cranberry.

Bioenergetic and “sintergetic” therapies combine both conventional and alternative medical approaches (including Chinese and Indian traditional medicine), but from a more holistic perspective.

One form of physiotherapy applied to tinnitus is electrode-free magnetotherapy, which uses electromagnetic energy noninvasively through a small portable device. It aims to regenerate damaged tissue, improve cell metabolism, and enhance blood circulation in the ear.

Some people are also encouraged to explore spiritual philosophies or worldviews that promote positivity, deep inner listening, or balancing energy flows — for instance, through chakra alignment. The well-known author Louise L. Hay, for example, offers several such approaches in her books for dealing with tinnitus.

Another therapy sometimes offered involves the use of tuningforks calibrated to specific frequencies.

 

 

* Dr. Nogier originally used acupuncture needles for manual stimulation.