Tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing in the ears, is surprisingly common, affecting more than 50 million U.S. adults. When the internal ringing starts to interfere with daily life, many turn to home therapies, including but not limited to supplements.
Unfortunately, studies on the effectiveness of tinnitus supplements are either inconclusive or poorly designed. Let’s look at why supplements are popular and a few proven methods to manage tinnitus.
Why Supplements Are So Popular
Dietary supplements are everywhere—lining store shelves, filling online ads and promoted in social media wellness circles. They can include:
- Vitamins and minerals
- Herbs and botanicals
- Amino acids and enzymes
Because they’re regulated as food (not medicine) by the FDA, manufacturers don’t have to prove effectiveness or safety before selling them. That leaves consumers with a lot of marketing hype and not much scientific backing.
The Research on Tinnitus Supplements
Some of the most frequently recommended supplements for tinnitus include ginkgo biloba, lipoflavonoid, magnesium, melatonin, zinc and vitamin B12.
However, large-scale reviews of clinical studies have found no reliable evidence that these products consistently reduce tinnitus symptoms. While some may report personal improvements, research suggests this is more likely due to placebo effects than actual effectiveness.
Always Talk To Your Provider Before Taking Supplements
If you’re considering supplements, it’s essential to talk with your healthcare provider first. Even seemingly harmless vitamins and herbs can:
- Interfere with prescription medications
- Trigger unwanted side effects
- Be unsafe in high doses
Your doctor or audiologist can help you weigh the risks and benefits before you spend money on unproven products.
What Helps with Tinnitus?
While there’s no cure for tinnitus, there are a few ways you can manage it, including:
- Sound therapy to drown out tinnitus
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to reframe negative emotions associated with tinnitus
- Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) that combines sound therapy with counseling to retrain your brain’s response to tinnitus
- Relaxation practices like yoga, meditation and reading at Dellinger Park to minimize tinnitus-related stress
If you’ve been struggling with tinnitus, schedule an appointment with one of our experts at Advanced Hearing today. We can evaluate your tinnitus and help you find the best management path.