Tinnitus treatment
Identifying Underlying Cause
Before initiating treatment, rule out reversible or treatable causes:
- Hearing loss (age-related or noise-induced)
- Earwax impaction
- Ototoxic medications (NSAIDs, aminoglycosides, chemotherapy)
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
- Vascular anomalies (especially in pulsatile tinnitus)
- Vestibular schwannoma (consider in unilateral tinnitus)
Treatment Options
Sound Therapy
Uses external sounds to reduce tinnitus perception.
- White noise machines
- Hearing aids with built-in masking features
- Custom tinnitus maskers
- Sound pillows or mobile apps
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Psychological approach with strong evidence of benefit.
- Reduces distress, improves coping
- Typically delivered in structured sessions
Hearing Aids
For patients with coexisting hearing loss.
- Amplifies environmental sounds
- May reduce tinnitus awareness
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
Combines low-level sound stimulation with counseling.
- Goal: habituation to tinnitus
- Long-term process (6–24 months)
Medications
Experimental / Emerging Therapies
- Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
- Bimodal neuromodulation (e.g., Lenire® system)
- Supplements (e.g., Ginkgo biloba, melatonin) — low evidence
Lifestyle and Coping Strategies
- Avoid complete silence — use background sounds
- Limit caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol
- Practice stress-reduction techniques (e.g., mindfulness, yoga)
- Improve sleep hygiene
When to Refer
Refer to ENT or neurology if:
- Unilateral tinnitus
- Pulsatile tinnitus
- Neurological symptoms
- Severe impact on quality of life despite initial management