Is There a Tinnitus Cure on the Horizon?

First, what actually is tinnitus? It is the medical term for the perception of sound in one or both ears or in the head when no external sound is present. Although commonly referred to as "ringing ears," some people hear hissing, roaring, whistling, chirping or clicking instead of in addition to ringing. It can be constant or just occasional. And the volume can range from barely audible to roaring.

It is estimated that over 50 million Americans have some degree of tinnitus. In most people it is just an annoyance but almost two million patients have tinnitus so bad they can't functional normally.

The ATA states that noise is the leading cause of tinnitus. Our world is noisy and getting noisier all the time. Think about the noise you face on most days - traffic, home appliances and tools, barking dogs, and one of the worst offenders, listening to music with headsets. Then there is the occasional really loud situation such as when you cut your grass, attend a rock concert, or sit in your car as a fire truck whizzes by.

Some professions are at high risk for developing tinnitus such as musicians, firefighters, building contractors, construction workers, lawn maintenance workers, and military personnel.

Some other common causes of tinnitus include head and neck injuries, jaw problems such as TMJ, medication side effects. It can also be a side effect of certain disease such as Lyme's, fibromyalgia, or thyroid disorders.

Sadly, according to the American Tinnitus Association, there is no tinnitus cure at this time. But the association does acknowledge that tinnitus can be managed by treating the underlying cause. If you have tinnitus, and you've been able to reduce or stop tinnitus symptoms, you probably don't care about whether you are considered cured or not as long as you have been able stop tinnitus from driving you crazy.

According to the ATA, one of the most effective forms of tinnitus therapy is sound therapy. Others have been able to diminish their tinnitus with tinnitus herbal treatments or vitamins, minerals, or even homeopathy.

No one really know when or if the ultimate tinnitus cure will be found. There are organizations devoted to finding the cure. The American Tinnitus Association is continually pressing the U.S. government to increase their funding for research. And the U.S. Department of Defense is funding research due to the large number of military personnel that have this disorder.

If you have tinnitus and want to help find the tinnitus cure, you could participate in a clinical trial. ClinicalTrials.gov is a great place to search for research studies. You can also call your local university hospitals to find out if they have any studies you could get involved with.