What is the Causes of Tinnitus in Chinese Medicine?

Tinnitus is a ringing condition in the inner ear, the ringing frequency can be dissimilar, it can be of high or low pitch, heavy or fine pitch. Some people relate tinnitus to insect sounds or loud airplanes. Many people of varying ages are diagnosed with tinnitus, many of whom are left untreated. The ringing condition comes and goes without notice, especially during the quietest time the ringing becomes more obvious, this can greatly impede one’s life-style, for example, affecting listening ability and sleep, resulting in restlessness whilst sitting up or lying down.

Tinnitus due to Kidney disorder

The kidneys are considered to be one of the vital organs causing tinnitus. In Chinese medicine the kidneys and ears have a close internal relationship because “the Kidneys open up to the ears”. The Kidneys are responsible for promoting Qi and Blood to the ears, and maintaining normal physiological functioning. When your Kidneys are disordered such as kidney yin weakness the ears are unable to receive adequate Blood and Qi from the Kidneys, resulting in tinnitus.

The characteristics of tinnitus caused by kidney disorder

The ringing sound can be as fine as insect sounds, if you use your hands to cover the ears, the ringing sound will be diminished or disappear. At the same time, you may have the following symptoms such as; lethargy, dizziness, waist/hip pain, knee pain, impotence, lowered libido, frequent urination (especially at night-time), thirsty at night-time, wake up early.

Suggestions for tinnitus due to Kidney disorder

Usually with this type of tinnitus we tonify the kidneys to help improve the circulation to the ear.

You should eat certain foods which work by tonifying the kidneys. Foods such as; black sesame seeds, goji berries, prawns, beef or beef soup, black kidney beans, soya beans.

Looking after your lower back

As the kidneys are located in the lower back, you should keep the lower back in a good condition to ensure that the area is warm and rich in circulation. If you have lower back pain it is important to resolve this issue while you are undergoing treatment for tinnitus.

Avoid overdoing sexual intercourse

Chinese medicine believes that having too much intercourse will damage kidney essence. If the kidney essence becomes weak it may cause tinnitus.