How to Treat Ringing in Ears Caused by MS

Ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus, can be caused by age, infections in the ear, certain medications, damage to the ear from constant exposure to loud noises, or other causes, including Multiple Sclerosis. MS is a neurological disorder that can damage the area of the brain that controls hearing. While the constant ringing sounds inside the head or ears can be quite distressing to some people, treatment of the condition depends on the cause. Even though the ringing can interfere with sleep, which can result in a lowered immune response, it is important to understand the cause before starting treatment.

Things You'll Need

• White Noise
• Prescription Antidepressants
• Vitamin Supplements
• Tinnitus Masker

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Instructions

• 1

  Schedule an appointment with your neurologist to rule out possible causes for the condition other than MS. Successful treatment often depends on accurate diagnosis of the cause. Make sure that none of the medications you are taking for your MS could be contributing to tinnitus.

• 2

  Ask your doctor if prescribing a low dose antidepressant might help to reduce any anxiety or depression you might be feeling because of the constant ringing in your ears.

• 3

  Use a tinnitus masker, particularly at bedtime. The device acts as a distracter by emitting low levels of white noise that are usually more tolerable than the ringing or buzzing sounds in your head. Focusing on other less annoying noises may help to relieve the symptoms of tinnitus somewhat.

• 4

  Avoid things that can make the noise sensations worse. Smoking, consuming too much caffeine or alcohol, and high salt intake frequently exacerbate the condition.

• 5

  Discuss with your regular physician the possibility of taking herbals or vitamin supplements to treat other related symptoms. The B vitamins and gingko biloba are often recommended to help alleviate headaches, blurred vision, neuralgia, fatigue, and light-headedness sometimes caused by tinnitus. Your doctor should caution you about any possible side effects or adverse effects when mixing these remedies with prescription medications.

• 6

  Look into having electrical stimulation to the outside of the ear to help reduce symptoms. While this type of treatment therapy is helpful in some patients, not everyone benefits. Electrical stimulation is usually reserved for patients who suffer severe tinnitus. Treatments require multiple sessions and involve placing electrodes, which produce small electrical currents, near the ear.

• 7

  Practice some form of relaxation therapy such as music therapy, meditation or yoga to relieve stress and anxiety, which can be brought on by the condition. While not a cure, by learning to relax and tune out other noises, a person eventually may not be as bothered by the ringing sounds. Maintaining a positive attitude also helps individuals to manage tinnitus symptoms better. This is particularly important for MS patients because increased stress can make their MS symptoms worse.