Tinnitus can feel like that annoying song stuck in your head, except instead of music, it’s a high-pitched ringing, buzzing, or humming in your ears that just won’t stop. Whether it’s mild or downright distracting, it can seriously mess with your focus, mood, and even your sleep.
According to the American Tinnitus Association, roughly 50 million people are affected by chronic tinnitus. If you’ve been searching for ways to quiet things down, you might’ve heard about acupuncture. But can acupuncture actually help with tinnitus, or is it just another trendy buzzword?
How Acupuncture Works for Tinnitus
Acupuncture is one of the OG treatments in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The idea is that your body has an energy flow, called “qi” (pronounced as “chee”), and if it’s blocked or out of balance, it can cause health issues. For tinnitus, acupuncture aims to get your qi flowing smoothly and calm down overactive nerves that might be causing the phantom sounds in your ears.
The treatment involves placing thin needles in specific spots on your body, and no, it doesn’t usually hurt. For tinnitus relief, an acupuncturist will often focus on areas near your ears, like Tinggong, Tinghui, and Ermen, as well as other points like Hegu (on your hand) or Taixi (by your ankle). These points are believed to connect with the kidneys and gallbladder in TCM, which are said to influence ear health.
Acupressure is another option for a quick DIY approach. Massaging points like SJ17 (behind your ear) or LI4 (the fleshy part between your thumb and index finger) might help lessen the buzzing temporarily. It’s worth a try if you’re in need of immediate relief.
What’s the Success Rate of Acupuncture for Tinnitus?
How well acupuncture works really depends on the person. There isn’t a magic number or a guaranteed success story for everyone, but studies show that some people find it helpful. For example, research from 2018 found that acupuncture could lower the volume and intensity of tinnitus for many participants, making it less disruptive. Another review in 2016 saw similar results but pointed out that the studies weren’t followed up, so the findings result does not include its long-term effect.
The takeaway? If things like stress, anxiety, or even energy imbalances are making your tinnitus worse, acupuncture might bring some relief. But if your tinnitus comes from severe ear damage or nerve issues, acupuncture alone may not do the trick.
Can Acupuncture Make Tinnitus Worse?
Here’s the good news: There’s no evidence that acupuncture makes tinnitus worse. It’s generally safe as long as you go to someone who’s trained and licensed. That said, you might experience minor side effects like tenderness around the needle sites or a little dizziness after your session. You’ll want to avoid it if you’re pregnant, have a bleeding disorder, or use a pacemaker since certain techniques could cause problems.
If needles make you nervous, acupressure (no poking involved!) could be a good way to test the waters without fully committing.
Trying Acupuncture Yourself
If you’re on board with giving acupuncture for ear ringing a shot, your first step is finding a licensed acupuncturist. Why? Because this kind of treatment is all about accuracy, and you don’t want someone guessing where to stick those needles. Look for professionals certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)—their training includes thousands of hours, unlike the quicker certifications some other practitioners might have.
When you go in for your first appointment, be ready to talk about your symptoms, lifestyle, and what might be causing your tinnitus. The acupuncturist can then come up with a game plan tailored just for you. And keep in mind that it’s usually not a one-and-done treatment. You’ll likely need regular sessions to see results, especially if your tinnitus has been around for a while.
Combining Treatments
Don’t think of acupuncture as the only solution. It tends to work best when used alongside other treatments. If stress or anxiety is making your tinnitus more noticeable, acupuncture plus mindfulness exercises or counseling could make a big difference. And if your tinnitus is caused by underlying issues like earwax buildup or medication side effects, those need to be addressed first before acupuncture can work its magic.
Turning Down the Volume: Finding Relief with Acupuncture
Dealing with tinnitus can feel exhausting, but you’re not out of options. Acupuncture is safe, low-risk, and worth exploring, especially if you’re open to alternative approaches. It can be helpful in bringing a sense of calm and focus to the practice. Sure, it doesn’t work for everyone, but if it even quiets the ringing a little, isn’t that worth a try?
If you’re thinking about it, start with your doctor to rule out any medical causes for your tinnitus. Then, find a skilled acupuncturist and keep an open mind. After all, some relief is definitely better than none. Who knows? It could be just the thing to help you tune out the noise and get back to enjoying life.