Zinc Treatment for Ringing Ears

Ringing in the ears affects about one in every five people. The common condition is also called tinnitus. While surely an annoying and bothersome condition, ringing in the ears is most often not serious. Treatments range from hearing aids to zinc.

Significance

• Ringing in the ear is actually a symptom, not a condition. It can result from hearing loss, an injury to the ear, earwax blockage, loud noise exposure, Meniere's disease, stress, depression, high blood pressure, antibiotics and high doses of aspirin.

Considerations

• The chance of experiencing ringing in the ears increases with age (common in adults over 65), if a person has been repeatedly exposed to loud noises, if a person is male, if a person is Caucasian or if a person has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Identification

• Tinnitus or ringing in the ear also includes other sounds such as buzzing, roaring, clicking, whistling and hissing. These sounds can be high or low pitched.

Effects

• Ringing in the ear can cause depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, memory and concentration problems. Feeling dizzy and experiencing nausea are also frequent complaints.

Potential

• Zinc is an important mineral in the functioning of the inner ear. When a body's level of zinc is low or depleted, ringing in the ear is common.

Prevention/Solution

• A physician or a health professional can determine if a person is zinc-deficient. Taking 90mg of this essential mineral daily with 2 or 3mg of copper for a duration of three months can help get rid of ringing ears.