The AudioNotch Tinnitus Treatment Blog

Please note: the following information does not constitute professional medical advice, and is provided for general informational purposes only. Please speak to your doctor if you have tinnitus.

Tinnitus is a frustrating and often debilitating condition in which you perceive sounds within your ears. These sounds are only heard by you and can interfere with your hearing, your ability to carry on a conversation and your capability to concentrate at work or school. Fortunately, medical researchers and doctors are looking for new cures for tinnitus and are achieving some successes in developing helpful treatment options.

Hormone Therapy
One of the new cures for tinnitus involves a hormone therapy. Small doses of the hormone misoprostol have been found to reduce the volume of tinnitus. Misoprostol is taken orally as a tablet. Most people take one tablet once per day as directed by their doctor. This medication has minimal side effects and is usually effective at reducing the volume of tinnitus within a few days of starting the treatment. Steroid treatments can also be used for reducing tinnitus. Steroids are hormones that are effective in tiny doses. A steroid drop can be placed into your middle ear to reduce swelling and inflammation that may be causing the tinnitus.

Anti-anxiety and Anti-depressant Medications
There is ongoing research into new cures for tinnitus that are based upon anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications. These medications change the way that your brain responds to certain chemicals, such as dopamine. A low dose of a well-recognized anti-anxiety medication such as Valium or the anti-depressant Elavil can be taken orally, once per day. These medications are thought to relieve tinnitus symptoms by changing how your brain’s neurons absorb and release hormones and other natural substances.

Masking Devices
There is much research into the use of masking devices and tinnitus instruments. Masking devices are used as a way to provide your brain with other auditory stimulation. The white noise delivered by a masking device results in a process called habituation. Your tinnitus frequency becomes a part of the white noise so your brain tunes out the entire sound and the tinnitus does not bother you as much. These instruments can fit into your ear canal like a hearing aid.

Auditory Therapy
You can also listen to matched frequency sounds as a type of tinnitus therapy that is free of side effects. Tinnitus retraining therapy also helps your brain to habituate to the sound and reduce its importance. It works in a similar way as the process that allows your brain to tune out common sounds such as traffic or fans.