Ask the Audiologist

Q: I have ringing and buzzing in my ears. I have seen and heard advertisements for a number of different tinnitus remedies. Are there any that you recommend?

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A: First some bad news, then the good news:

Tinnitus (noises one hears that are not present in the environment) is a common condition. Advertisements for supposed tinnitus cures are also common. It is important to keep in mind that claims about the safety and efficacy of herbal or nutritional supplements - like those that are marketed as tinnitus “cures” - do not have to be proven because the FDA does not classify them as drugs.

Recently, a study was published by audiologist Robert DiSogra, Au.D. investigating over 50 products marketed with claims to relieve tinnitus. All are available without a prescription. He identified a total of 228 ingredients in these products. Double blind clinical studies on those ingredients were lacking. Of the few existing studies (only 24 of the 228 ingredients had any published studies on them) most were more than 20 years old.

Dr. DiSogra contacted twenty-five of the over-the-counter (OTC) tinnitus relief product manufacturers to ask them about
1. The individuals who made the decisions about which ingredients to include in the products
2. A reference list of published articles on the ingredients and
3. reports on the long term effect of using the product.
Of the 25 companies contacted, only 2 responded. One reported they were “too busy” and the other said they discontinued the product “because it just didn’t work.”

Anyone who decides to use OTC tinnitus products, in spite of the fact that there is no proof that they are effective, should use caution, since there is also no guarantee that they are safe. Some ingredients are on the FDA’s poisonous plants list. Some of the products contain quinine, which is known to cause tinnitus. Other ingredients should not be used by people with cardiac disease.

Note that, rather than go through the FDA approval process, OTC tinnitus products need only to include the following disclaimer on their label: “This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure , or prevent any disease.” Anyone considering the use of OTC tinnitus products should take this disclaimer seriously.

Now the good news: If you are suffering with tinnitus, real help is available. For more information, see my free e-book at www.HearingCenterofLI.com/tinnitus-book or schedule a free consultation at our Valley Stream office at 516-872-8485.

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