Tinnitus is the hearing of sound when no external sound is present. While often described as a ringing, it may also sound like a clicking, hiss or roaring. Rarely, unclear voices or music are heard. The sound may be soft or loud, low pitched or high pitched and appear to be coming from one ear or both. Most of the time, it comes on gradually. In some people, the sound causes depression or anxiety and can interfere with concentration.

Types of Tinnitus :

There are basically two types of tinnitus, Objective Tinnitus and Subjective Tinnitus.
Objective Tinnitus : this is whereby the noises that the person is hearing can also be heard by a doctor or a practitioner who is examining that person.
Subjective Tinnitus : This is whereby the noises that the person is hearing can only be heard by the person.

Causes of Tinnitus :

There are several causes of tinnitus, including:

1. Normal aging,
2. Hearing loss,
3. Loud noise (for example, from construction work such as jackhammers, gunfire, loud music at concerts, etc.),
4. Medications (including some antibiotics, anti-seizure medicines, and painkillers),
5. Head or neck injuries,
6. Stiffening of the bones in the middle ear (otosclerosis),
7. Tumors within the auditory system,
8. Blood vessels or neurologic disorders, and
9. Genetic or inherited inner ear disorders

Ayurvedic View :

In Ayurveda it is termed as Karnanada- Karna means ear, Nada means sound. Ayurveda recognizes another condition of ear disease where the patient feels single kind of unnatural sound called as Karnakshweda, also resembles with tinnitus. If we analyze these two ear conditions, it appears that the Karnanada is the condition of conductive deafness. Here there will be obstruction in the pathway of conduction of sound. Karnakshweda is originated due to the debility or fatigue. Otherwise, it is a direct result of diminished strength of the auditory nerves. So it can be corelated with nervous deafness.  

According to Ayurveda, tinnitus in not a disease but a symptom of prana vayu disturbance. Prana vayu is a subdosha of Vata which resides in the head and governs all higher cerebral functions.

Causes :

The same lifestyle factors and behaviors which cause vitiation of Vata dosha anywhere in the mind-body also cause this condition. Thus lack of adequate sleep, nervous exhaustion due to increased worries, excessive workload, insufficient mental and physical recreation, incessant talking, excess fasting, excess exercise, sudden shock/grief/fear, excess and difficult to digest cereals in the food, excess bitter- or astringent-tasting  medicines/vegetables etc. are some of the reasons for tinnitus. Depletion of dhatus as a result of excess indulgence in sex is also another reason.

Tinnitus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment :

As tinnitus is a Vata disorder, Vata-balancing lifestyle therapies, including Panchakarma detox therapies, and disease specific herbs and herbal formulations are beneficial.

Herbs and Herbal formulations used are :

1. Ashwagandharishtam
2. Balarishta
3. Sariva gutika
4. Gokshura
5. Yashtimadhu churna
6. Amalaki churna
7. Anu tailam
8. Bilwa tailam
9. Dashmoola
10. Giloyghan vati
11. Jatamansi
12. Rasna

Panchakarma Procedures used in Tinnitus are :

• Nasya . Vacha (Acorus calamus) oil nose drops, have a powerful effect in calming and balancing the Prana vayu. A preparation of sesame oil medicated with calamus root is taken nasally, 3-6 drops per nostril, at night and in the morning. The nasya should be warmed to body temperature before administration. Nasya helps to nourish the senses to eliminate excess Vata from head, neck, and senses.
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• Abhyanga (Massage). Shiroabhyanga (head massage) and padabhyanga (foot massage), wherein the soles of the feet are massaged with warm sesame oil, has a specific effect in calming the prana vayu. At bedtime, warm sesame oil should be applied to the soles of the feet and also to the scalp. This treatment rapidly normalizes the prana vayu.
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• Karnapoorna (Ear drops). To calm the Vata in the ears, ten drops of warm sesame oil is applied daily to each ear. The oil is allowed to remain in the first ear for five or ten minutes, then that ear is cleaned, and the same procedure is followed with the other ear, with the patient lying on the other side. Typically, this treatment should alleviate tinnitus, and most other symptoms of prana vayu disturbance, within eight to ten days.Bilwadi tail,Apamargkshar tail,Dashmool tail can be used for Karnpooran.
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• Kawala & Gandush. Gargling of medicated oils or certain liquids/Kwath is Kawala.It strengthens the nerves of eyes and ears and also pacifies aggravated Vata.Gandush is Withholding medicated oils or certain liquids in the mouth for a certain period of time.
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• Shirobasti (Head Bath).

Life style changes :

1. Do not travel or walk in an extreme cold climate. Do not take baths more frequently than once daily.
2. Do not restrain natural urges when body wants to eliminate any wastes.
3. Take a good sleep
4. Avoid alcohol, it can increase tinnitus
5. Excess television watching, excess use of computers, or sleeping near an electrical outlet should be avoided.

Although there is not any definitive treatment avilable in Modern science for tinnitus, Ayurvedic treatment can help you a lot in reducing tinnitus symptoms. Consult expert doctors at Life Line Ayurvedic Herbal Clinic to get relief in tinnitus.