Tinnitus can be a mild condition that aggravates people or it can be severe enough to impair one’s quality of life. There is no cure for this condition so most people who experience it will seek out any relief they can. Herbal supplements, vitamins, and minerals, a hearing-healthy diet, hearing aids and consulting a hearing care professional are good places to start. A newer consideration for tinnitus may also involve the daily use of CBD.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a common condition involving ringing or other noises in one or both ears. It can be constant or come and go. Sometimes it is associated with hearing loss due to exposure to very loud sounds, head injuries, whiplash, compacted ear wax, age-related hearing loss, problems in the circulatory system, or medication side effects. In general, it is thought to be a condition that has no underlying disease.
Symptoms of Tinnitus
Tinnitus can be described as a ringing in the ears when there is no external sound that can cause it. People can also experience other “phantom” noises including:
- Humming
- Clicking
- Buzzing
- Hissing
- Roaring
- Rhythmic pulsation
- Whooshing
The majority of people with tinnitus have what is called “subjective” tinnitus, meaning that only they can hear these noises. Noises come in different tones, pitches, and volumes. Some can be so loud that they interfere with the person’s ability to think, concentrate or hear external sounds. This not only interferes with quality of life, but can also be dangerous as noises from threatening sources may be missed such as an oncoming train, gun shot, or an explosion.
Causes of Tinnitus
Some of the most common causes of this condition include hearing loss, an ear infection, ear canal blockage, head or neck injuries, and some medications. Less common causes include:
- Meniere’s disease – an inner ear disorder caused by abnormal inner ear fluid pressure
- Changes in the ear bone
- Blood vessel disorders
- Acoustic neuroma – noncancerous tumor of the cranial nerve
- Eustachian tube dysfunction – tube connecting the inner ear to the throat is always expanded
- Muscle spasms in the ear
- Temporomandibular joint disorders – problems with the joint on each side of the head in front of the ears
Risk Factors for Developing Tinnitus
While anyone can experience tinnitus, there are certain risk factors to avoid whenever possible. Obvious ones include prolonged exposure to very loud noises like chainsaws, firearms, and heavy equipment. Workplace sources include factories and construction sites as well as being in the military and being a working musician.
Other risk factors include the aging process, being male, chronic use of tobacco products and alcohol, and health conditions including heart problems, high blood pressure, obesity, head injury and arthritis.
Health and Lifestyle Complications
Tinnitus can be not only frustrating or aggravating, it can also cause a number of complications in one’s life including:
- Academic or occupational problems
- Stress, anxiety and irritability
- Mood changes and depression
- Fatigue and problems with sleep
- Memory and concentration problems
- Chronic headaches
Diagnosing and Treating Tinnitus
Most people will start with their primary physician who will attempt to rule out other conditions that may underlie tinnitus, and then refer them to an audiologist. An audiological exam is the next step in trying to diagnose tinnitus. The hearing care specialist may test movement of one’s body or eyes to see if such movements make the condition worse. CT or MRI scans may be ordered as well as lab tests to obtain a more accurate diagnosis.
Fortunately, there are a number of treatments for tinnitus including the following:
- Removing excess ear wax
- Changing medication that may be the cause
- Using hearing aids
- Treating heart or circulatory conditions
- Suppressing noise with white noise machines or masking devices
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Tinnitus retraining therapy
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation
- Deep brain stimulation
Research Results on CBD for Tinnitus
Unfortunately, there isn’t much research on CBD and tinnitus, but from the scant amount that exists, it appears that CBD may be effective for tinnitus itself but even better for some of the co-occurring conditions associated with it.
Researchers have conducted studies examining the effects of CBD for symptoms of tinnitus, and the results have been promising. Specifically, two cannabinoid receptors in the brain, CB1 and CB2 respond to CBD and appear to impact both balance and hearing, issues well-known to be problematic with tinnitus.
Help with Co-Occurring Conditions
Evidence published in two journals, Neurotherapeutics and The Hearing Journal, provide some evidence that CBD helps conditions like stress and anxiety experienced by people with tinnitus. It can help people reduce the cycle of worry about their condition as well as improve their ability to cope.
It is also thought that since CBD can reduce anxiety, as has been shown in numerous studies, some of its other qualities such as helping with insomnia, ability to concentrate and reducing depression may also be seen in people with tinnitus.
Final Thoughts on CBD and Tinnitus
Although there aren’t many scientific studies on the effects of CBD for tinnitus, there should be more to come, since it’s such a common health concern affecting millions of Americans. Because CBD is a natural alternative to medications, it does have a good safety profile with few to no side effects, making it a plausible solution. Until there is more scientific evidence, it may not hurt to try. Talking with an audiologist may be beneficial.