By Fred Cheng (R.Ph.) and Christine Cheng (R.Ph.)
Um, no, you don’t have super powers; that constant distant noise or ringing and humming you hear may be tinnitus. “Tinnitus” is the persistent ringing, hissing, buzzing, or roaring noise you have in one or both ears. It may occur when the signalling cells in the inner ear are damaged and send unwanted signals to the brain. There are many potential causes, including normal aging, medications, head or neck injuries, as well as certain diseases. The condition could be transient or may persist for years. Try not to be overwhelmed or depressed about tinnitus; seek help from your physician or pharmacist ASAP. Our clients have been able to deal with it successfully with some natural and even non-drug options.
Sometimes, a properly-fitted HEARING AID can reduce the amount of unwanted “white noise” by making sounds clearer and louder. TINNITUS RETRAINING THERAPY (TRT) is a way to retrain your brain into perceiving the ringing in your ears as a normal, everyday, background noise rather than an annoying sound. Similarly, COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT) with a psychologist or counselor is a way to use “distractions” to “refocus” your brain into perceiving tinnitus in a different way; it is not simply “ignoring” the ringing. If tinnitus keeps you from getting a good night’s rest, then try playing some soft music or white noise in the background or through headphones as a cover-up to the persistent ringing. Some clients have also reported benefit from ACUPUNCTURE and ELECTRICAL STIMULATION THERAPY.
While trying out the above non-drug options, it is often safe to try a homeopathic or perhaps a natural oral medication at the same time. The safest option would be a homeopathic remedy available only at CLOVERDALE PHARMASAVE called HENRY’S TINNITUS MIX. It stimulates the body in an attempt to self-alleviate the ringing in your ears. It is safe to try regardless of your medication regimen. Another viable option is a product called LipoFlavonoids. It contains a proprietary blend of natural ingredients, including eriodictyol glycoside(a lemon bioflavonoid), inositol, Vitamin C, and some Vitamin B’s. Bioflavonoids are potent antioxidants derived from plants (such as citrus fruits) and are often found in natural supplements to benefit hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and cataracts.
Constant ringing in the ear would drive anyone up the walls, but there are ways to affectively alleviate the symptoms. As always, ask your doctor or come see one of the CLOVERDALE PHARMASAVE PHARMACISTS to see if there is a safe and logical option for you.
(Christine and Fred Cheng are a passionate, charismatic sister-brother pharmacist team at their unique, family-owned and operated Pharmasave Integrative Compounding Pharmacy in Cloverdale, B.C. with a 34-year history [open 7 days a week]. They specialize in natural remedies and compounding for both human and veterinarian use. Everything mentioned in their article is available InStore.)
