There's no single "most effective" supplement for tinnitus, as results vary, but Ginkgo biloba (especially EGb 761), magnesium, zinc, and Vitamin B12 are the most commonly studied, with some research suggesting benefits for improving blood flow (Ginkgo) or correcting deficiencies (Mg, Zn, B12), though large-scale, conclusive evidence is often lacking, and many users find supplements ineffective or even worsening, so consulting a doctor is crucial.
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo is also the most studied dietary supplement in tinnitus treatment. It is believed to improve tinnitus by increasing inner ear and cerebral blood circulation and by protecting against free radicals.
A total of 17 were revealed to be B12 deficient when compared to a normal level of 250 pg/ml. With 42.5% of the patients, this is a significantly high prevalence. After six weeks, the results showed that patients in Group A saw improvements in their mean tinnitus severity index scores.
Er Long Zuo Ci Pill (耳聾左慈丸 in Chinese), a traditionally well-known formula, is widely used to treat tinnitus and deafness in China. It was found to be one of the most often used formulae to treat tinnitus in the recent 30 years (Zhang et al., 2015).
Magnesium supplementation shows promise in supporting tinnitus management (ringing in the ears), particularly in magnesium-deficient people and those with hearing impairment. However, excessive amounts of magnesium via dietary supplements could cause adverse side effects and health problems.
Tinnitus, commonly known as "ringing in the ears," affects millions worldwide, causing persistent sounds without external sources. Recent research has identified vitamin D deficiency as a potential risk factor for tinnitus, shedding light on new avenues for tinnitus prevention and management.
While there are many forms of magnesium available, we often prefer to use magnesium citrate and/or magnesium glycinate. Magnesium citrate is most helpful for people suffering from constipation, while the glycinate form is more useful for conditions like anxiety, insomnia, chronic stress, and inflammatory conditions.
Tinnitus is usually caused by an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, an ear injury or a problem with the circulatory system. For many people, tinnitus improves with treatment of the underlying cause or with other treatments that reduce or mask the noise, making tinnitus less noticeable.
Standardised Ginkgo leaf extracts have been used in clinical trials for tinnitus, and cognitive and cardiovascular disorders, at daily doses of 60 mg to 450 mg (Mei 2017; Yang 2011). These preparations contain standardised amounts of the above compounds.
In a quiet setting, a fan, soft music, or low-volume radio static may help mask the noise from tinnitus. Manage stress. Stress can make tinnitus worse. Stress management, whether through relaxation therapy, biofeedback, or exercise, may provide some relief.
Vicks VapoRub. According to Kari, there is a myth that Vick's VapoRub alleviates tinnitus, but she says that there is no evidence that it works, and, in fact, it can be dangerous. "I have not heard this to be effective, and I would be careful because applying it in your ears can lead to toxic effects," Kari says.
The worst symptoms of B12 deficiency involve severe neurological damage, including severe memory loss, confusion, dementia, psychosis, hallucinations, balance problems, trouble walking, and irreversible nerve damage (neuropathy), alongside serious mental health issues like severe depression or irritability, with physical signs including extreme fatigue, pale skin, and a sore, smooth tongue. These severe cognitive and neurological issues are the most concerning because they can become permanent if left untreated.
Currently, there is no recommended dosage of vitamin B12 for tinnitus specifically. However a safe dosage of vitamin B12 is 1000mcg per day of the methylcobalamin form.
In fact, most drug classes have tinnitus-causing drugs sprinkled throughout. For example, antibiotics, painkillers, anti-anxiety, and anti-depression drugs, antimalarial medications, anti-cancer drugs, and blood pressure-controlling medications – to name a few – can all trigger tinnitus.
While Staffa's research focused on hearing loss, our study specifically investigated CoQ10's impact on chronic tinnitus and found that, in addition to improving hearing loss, CoQ10 also reduced tinnitus symptoms (25).
A way to think about this is that while tinnitus may seem to occur in your ear, the phantom sounds are instead generated by your brain, in an area called the auditory cortex. Other evidence shows that abnormal interactions between the auditory cortex and other neural circuits may play a role in tinnitus.
While chronic tinnitus has no cure, treatments can offer some relief and make it more manageable. The type of treatment depends on the cause. Some people with hearing loss and tinnitus find that both problems improve after they get a hearing aid or a cochlear implant.
The following health conditions are commonly associated with tinnitus:
As a major and ancient physical therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture has been widely used in tinnitus because of its simple operation, rapid effect, and low cost.
Some patients with hearing loss and tinnitus have improvement with the use of hearing aids, with or without built-in ear-level maskers. Sound therapies that involve simple things like background music or noise or specialized ear-level maskers may be a reasonable treatment option.
Neck exercises for somatic tinnitus
Neck tilt: Sit or stand with a straight back. Gently tilt your head towards one shoulder and hold for 10 seconds.
However, if you ingest high doses of any magnesium supplement, you might experience side effects, such as diarrhea, gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting and worse. If too much magnesium builds up in your body, as can happen if you have kidney disease, you can have serious side effects.
Individuals with diabetes, intestinal disease, heart disease, or kidney disease should avoid magnesium unless specifically instructed by their healthcare provider. Overdose: Signs of a magnesium overdose include nausea, diarrhea, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, and fatigue.
Yes! And for some people, this combination can be highly effective. Taking both allows you to experience the calming, muscle-supportive effects of glycinate while still promoting digestive regularity with citrate. If you go this route, aim to separate the doses: take citrate in the morning and glycinate in the evening.