In order to deal properly with tinnitus we need to understand and — if possible — remove the underlying causes and risk factors. We need to ask: "What else is going on inside the body that might allow tinnitus to develop?"
Accurate diagnosis of the factors behind tinnitus consists of three steps:
Cause | Probability | Status |
---|---|---|
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity | 90% | Confirm |
Hypoglycemia | 17% | Unlikely |
Zinc Need | 14% | Unlikely |
Mercury Toxicity | 0% | Ruled out |
Fluorosis | 0% | Ruled out |
Chronic Fatigue-Fibromyalgia | 0% | Ruled out |
Electrical Hypersensitivity | 0% | Ruled out |
Megaloblastic Anemia | 0% | Ruled out |
Do you have Tinnitus (ringing in your ears)? If it sounds like blood rushing then answer the previous question instead of this one.
Possible responses:
→ Never had it / don't know→ Probably had it / minor episode(s) now resolved → Major episode(s) now resolved → Current minor problem → Current major problem |
An inner ear fluid imbalance caused by dehydration can lead to tinnitus.
In one report, 47% of people with tinnitus and related disorders were found to have vitamin B12 deficiencies. Supplementation may therefore be of benefit. [Vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with chronic-tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss. Am J Otolaryngol 1993;14: pp.94-9]
Many people say their tinnitus is worse when they are tired or stressed.
A study of twenty patients with tinnitus found that ten tested positive for TMJ dysfunction in all diagnostic tests used, and nine more tested positive to one or more of the diagnostic procedures. Only one patient of the twenty had no positive evidence of any jaw joint dysfunction. Dr. Morgan's findings were published in The Journal of Craniomandibular Practice. ["Tinnitus of TMJ Origin: A Preliminary Report," Vol.10, No.2]
Another research project was headed by Richard L. Goode, MD, professor of ENT and Head and Neck surgery at Stanford University's School of Medicine. Drs. Morgan and Goode were able to establish the mechanical connection between the ossicles in the middle ear and the capsule and disk of the TMJ. ["The TMJ-Ear Connection", Journal of Craniomandibular Practice, Vol. 13, No.1).]
You may get an idea if the tinnitus is connected to your TMJ in some way, by:
As many as 50% of people using these techniques find a change in their tinnitus and a TMJ correlation they had not known about.
High concentrations of zinc are found in the inner ear. A Japanese study tested the theory that insufficient levels of zinc may therefore contribute to tinnitus. Researchers found that tinnitus sufferers with low zinc levels in their blood experienced an improvement in their symptoms when, after two weeks of zinc supplementation, their zinc levels rose significantly.
Another study found that 25% of those with tinnitus and low serum zinc reported improvement after 3 to 6 months of supplementation. [Am J Otol 1985;6: pp.116-7]