Tinnitus - What is it and how to treat it?

Ringing in the ears, known as "tinnitus", is a very unpleasant condition that can negatively affect quality of life. Early identification of the causes and appropriate treatment are important, as they can help ease symptoms and bring significant relief. Let’s take a closer look at what tinnitus is, what symptoms it causes, and what treatment options are available (including the use of CBD for tinnitus).

• What is tinnitus?
• How is tinnitus treated?
• How can CBD help with tinnitus?
• Can tinnitus be completely cured?

What is tinnitus

Tinnitus is commonly described as "ringing in the ears" – it is a condition characterized by the perception of sounds in the ears or head that do not come from any external sound source. These sounds can vary in nature: whistling, humming, ringing, buzzing, or rustling.

Tinnitus is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of other health conditions. Causes of tinnitus include:

• Hearing damage – Explosions, music concerts, or long-term exposure to noisy environments can damage hearing and lead to tinnitus.
• Aging – Hearing ability may naturally decline with age, which can contribute to tinnitus.
• Ear disorders – Various ear conditions, such as Ménière’s disease, ear infections, or otosclerosis, may be associated with tinnitus.
• Circulatory system disorders – Problems with blood pressure, vascular disease, or atherosclerosis can affect blood flow in the ears and cause tinnitus.
• Stress and anxiety – Psychological factors, such as stress and anxiety, can influence the perception of tinnitus or make it worse.

Tinnitus may be temporary or chronic and can vary in intensity. If you suspect that you have tinnitus, it is important to consult a doctor or audiologist, who can perform an examination, identify the cause, and recommend appropriate treatment.

Is tinnitus always linked to hearing loss?

No, tinnitus is not always associated with hearing loss, although many people with tinnitus also have some form of hearing impairment. Tinnitus can have different causes, and in some cases it may also occur in people with normal hearing.

There are three main types of tinnitus:

• Subjective tinnitus: The most common form of tinnitus. The person hears sounds, but no one else can hear them. It may be linked to hearing loss, but it can also occur in people with normal hearing.
• Objective tinnitus: A rarer type in which the sounds can also be heard by a doctor during an examination. It is usually associated with physical abnormalities of the ear, blood vessels, or muscles.
• Neurological tinnitus: This form may be associated with neurological disorders and is not always connected with hearing impairment.

How is tinnitus treated?

Treatment for tinnitus depends on its underlying causes. In some cases, tinnitus may be temporary and resolve on its own, especially if it is related to short-term exposure to loud sounds or an ear infection.

In other cases, tinnitus may be chronic and require treatment focused on addressing the underlying cause or minimizing symptoms.

Tinnitus can be treated in the following ways:

• Medication: Certain medicines may be prescribed to manage tinnitus symptoms – most commonly anti-anxiety medication or antidepressants.
• Lifestyle changes: Reducing exposure to loud sounds, managing stress and anxiety, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep may help minimize tinnitus.
• Sound therapy: This involves the use of white noise, sound-generating devices, or low-volume headphones designed to mask or reduce the perceived sound of tinnitus.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): A therapeutic approach that helps patients adapt and reduce the negative impact of tinnitus on mental well-being.
• Treating the underlying cause: If tinnitus is caused by a specific treatable condition, such as an infection, vascular abnormality, or hearing disorder, treating that cause may improve tinnitus.
• Dietary supplements: Suitable supplements may have a beneficial effect on the course of tinnitus.

Tinnitus and CBD – how can it help?

Research suggests that endocannabinoid receptors play an important role in the pathophysiology of tinnitus. CBD acts through the endocannabinoid system, which is involved in regulating nerve activity, inflammation, and stress – factors that may influence or worsen tinnitus. CBD also has demonstrated anxiolytic properties, supports sleep quality, and contributes to the proper functioning of the central nervous system. When combined with CBG, CBD provides a neuroprotective effect.

Based on experience from our hemp counselling service, we do not recommend CBD oil alone, but rather a more comprehensive product with a broader spectrum of active ingredients, which has a significantly better effect on overall mental well-being and CNS function. We are referring to a product combining omega-3 from fish oil (tuna, cod, shark, sardine), omega-3, 6, and 9 from hemp oil, tocopherols (antioxidants, vitamin E), rosemary extract, and 1000 mg of CBD. This composition offers a complex effect that CBD oil alone cannot provide.

CBD oil dosage for tinnitus

Based on our counselling experience, we recommend starting with 2.5 ml daily after a meal (precisely measured – one teaspoon) and increasing the dose after 7 days to 5 ml daily (one tablespoon).

We recommend supplementing this product with CBD + CBG oil, which, thanks to its CBG content, offers an enhanced neurological effect. Ideally, start with 2 drops at midday and 2 drops in the early evening. After 7 days, increase the dose to 2 × 4 drops. After another 7 days, contact us through our hemp counselling service – based on your feedback, we will evaluate the effect so far and advise you on how to continue.

Dietary supplements

In addition to CBD, we also recommend including the following dietary supplements:

• Vitamin B12 (in the form of methylcobalamin or adenosylcobalamin) – an important boost for the brain and central nervous system.
• Hericium mushroom – traditionally used to support the nervous system and brain function.

Are there special exercises or therapies aimed at tinnitus?

Yes, proven approaches include:

• Sound therapy: The aim is to mask or reduce the perceived sound of tinnitus using white noise, sound-generating devices, or sleep sounds. It can help shift attention away from tinnitus and improve sleep.
• Relaxation exercises: Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation help reduce anxiety and stress associated with tinnitus.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This focuses on changing thought patterns and behaviors related to tinnitus, thereby reducing its negative impact on mental health.
• Habitual behavior therapy: This helps patients identify and modify habitual reactions to tinnitus and gain greater control over their emotions.
• Sound and music therapy: This uses sounds or music to influence the perception of tinnitus, for example through pleasant frequencies or guided music therapy.

Cervical spine and tinnitus

Tinnitus associated with the cervical spine is referred to as cervicogenic or cervical tinnitus. It is believed that it may be caused by dysfunction in the cervical spine area. Possible causes include:

• Muscle tension and cervical vertebrae: Tension or an unnatural condition of the muscles in the neck area can affect blood circulation and nerve activity, which may contribute to tinnitus.
• Arthritis or osteoarthritis: Degenerative diseases of the joints and vertebrae of the cervical spine may influence the development of tinnitus.
• Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ): Dysfunction of the joint connecting the lower jaw to the skull can affect the cervical spine and contribute to tinnitus.
• Cervical vascular disorders: Problems with blood flow in the neck vessels may lead to tinnitus associated with the cervical spine.

Can tinnitus be completely cured?

It is not easy to say whether tinnitus can be completely cured, because it depends on many factors – especially the cause of tinnitus and the individual response to different treatment methods. In some cases, tinnitus may be temporary and disappear once the underlying cause is treated. In other cases, it may be chronic and more difficult to influence.

Causes such as infection or hearing impairment can be successfully treated, which may lead to improvement or complete disappearance of tinnitus. In cases associated with damage to hearing cells, the nervous system, or blood vessels, achieving a complete cure is usually more difficult.

Although it is not always possible to cure tinnitus completely, the therapeutic options and supportive approaches described above can significantly help manage and reduce the difficulties associated with it.

Author of the article: Lucie Garabas