Tinnitus - Wokingham, Berkshire

1. What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ears or head that has no external source — typically described as ringing, buzzing, hissing, clicking or rushing. It is one of the most common auditory conditions, affecting approximately 18% of the population, and can range from a mild background nuisance to a severely debilitating condition that affects sleep, concentration, mood, relationships and quality of life.

Tinnitus is not a disease in itself but a symptom of an underlying condition or imbalance — in either the auditory system, the nervous system, or, from a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective, the body's internal organ systems. Western medicine currently has no curative treatment for tinnitus. Management options are largely limited to sound therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and hearing aids where hearing loss is present. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine offer a genuinely therapeutic approach — addressing the underlying imbalances driving the condition rather than simply masking the symptoms.

I treat tinnitus at my clinics in Wokingham, Berkshire, and offer online herbal consultations for patients who cannot attend in person. The volume and intrusiveness of tinnitus can vary considerably from week to week, and results from treatment depend on the underlying cause, the duration of symptoms and the patient's overall health — but many patients experience meaningful reduction in tinnitus severity and significant improvement in quality of life.

2. Symptoms of tinnitus

Tinnitus presents differently in different people. The perceived sound may be continuous or intermittent, and its character and pitch vary widely:

Ringing — the most commonly reported sound, typically high-pitched, in one or both ears
Buzzing or humming — a lower-pitched continuous sound, sometimes described as electrical or mechanical
Hissing or whooshing — often associated with blood flow changes or vascular tinnitus
Clicking — rhythmic or irregular clicking sounds, sometimes associated with muscle spasms near the ear
Rushing or pulsing — a beating or pulsing sound that synchronises with the heartbeat, known as pulsatile tinnitus
Hearing loss — tinnitus is frequently accompanied by some degree of hearing loss, particularly in the frequencies affected by the underlying cause
Dizziness or vertigo — tinnitus associated with inner ear conditions such as Ménière’s disease is often accompanied by episodes of dizziness

Beyond the auditory symptoms, tinnitus has a profound impact on daily life for many sufferers. It can significantly affect sleep, particularly when the quiet of night makes the sound more noticeable. It impairs concentration and cognitive performance, contributes to anxiety and depression, and reduces sociability — making it difficult to follow conversations in environments with background noise such as restaurants, bars and social gatherings. For people with severe tinnitus, these quality-of-life impacts can be as debilitating as the sound itself.

3. Types of tinnitus

Tinnitus is classified into four main types based on its origin and characteristics:

Subjective tinnitus — the most common type, in which the sound can only be heard by the patient. It originates from abnormal neural activity in the auditory pathway and is associated with noise-induced hearing loss, age-related hearing decline, ear infections and ototoxic medications.
Sensory tinnitus — a subtype of subjective tinnitus specifically arising from damage to or dysfunction of the sensory hair cells in the cochlea. It is strongly associated with noise-induced and age-related hearing loss.
Somatic tinnitus — tinnitus that is modulated by physical movement or input, particularly movement of the jaw, neck or head. It is associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, cervical spine problems and muscle tension in the head and neck. This type often responds particularly well to acupuncture, as the underlying musculoskeletal and circulatory factors are directly accessible to needling.
Objective tinnitus — a rare type in which the sound can be heard by an examiner as well as the patient, typically because it arises from an actual physical source such as vascular turbulence, muscle spasm or a patulous (abnormally open) Eustachian tube. Pulsatile tinnitus — where the perceived sound synchronises with the heartbeat — falls into this category.

4. Causes of tinnitus

Tinnitus has many possible causes, and in most cases multiple factors contribute simultaneously:

Western medical causes

Noise-induced hearing loss — prolonged or acute exposure to loud noise damages the sensory hair cells of the cochlea, causing both hearing loss and tinnitus. This is the most common cause in younger adults and includes occupational noise exposure, use of headphones at high volumes and attendance at loud music venues.
Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) — gradual deterioration of the inner ear structures with age is the most common cause of tinnitus in older adults.
Ear infections and inflammation — acute or chronic middle ear infections, otitis media and Eustachian tube dysfunction can all produce tinnitus.
Head or ear trauma — physical injury to the head, skull base or ear can damage auditory structures and trigger tinnitus.
Ménière’s disease — a condition of abnormal fluid pressure in the inner ear causing episodic tinnitus, hearing loss, vertigo and a sensation of fullness in the ear.
Ototoxic medications — certain drugs damage the inner ear as a side effect, including some antibiotics (aminoglycosides), loop diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin in high doses, and platinum-based chemotherapy agents.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction — problems with the jaw joint, which shares anatomical proximity with the ear, can produce somatic tinnitus that changes with jaw movement.
Cardiovascular and vascular conditions — high blood pressure, anaemia, arteriovenous malformations and atherosclerosis can produce pulsatile tinnitus through abnormal blood flow near the ear.
Cervical spine problems — tension and dysfunction in the upper cervical spine impairs blood flow to the inner ear and can contribute to tinnitus, particularly in people with significant neck problems or neck pain.

Lifestyle and constitutional factors

Overwork and exhaustion — in TCM, chronic overwork and insufficient rest are among the most significant drivers of the Kidney deficiency that underlies tinnitus. Tinnitus is often described in TCM as the body’s alarm system — a signal that vital energy reserves are critically depleted and that the pace of life must change.
Stress and anxiety — chronic stress increases sympathetic nervous system activation and elevates cortisol, which impairs circulation to the inner ear and central auditory processing. Many patients notice their tinnitus worsening significantly during periods of high stress.
Poor diet and nutritional deficiency — inadequate nutrition depletes the qi, blood and Kidney jing that nourish the auditory system. Deficiencies in zinc, magnesium, vitamin B12 and vitamin D have been specifically associated with tinnitus in research.
Excessive physical exercise — while moderate exercise is beneficial, excessive physical training depletes yang and blood in TCM, contributing to the constitutional weakness underlying chronic tinnitus.

5. Tinnitus in traditional Chinese medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine, the ears are the sensory organ governed by the Kidney — the organ system responsible for storing the body’s fundamental essence (jing) and providing the constitutional vitality that nourishes hearing and auditory function. Chronic tinnitus is therefore understood primarily as a manifestation of Kidney deficiency — a depletion of the vital resources that sustain clear hearing and the normal function of the inner ear. This understanding is clinically useful because it explains both why tinnitus commonly worsens with age and overwork, and why treatment directed at the Kidney produces the best long-term results.

The main TCM patterns underlying tinnitus are:

Kidney yin deficiency

Kidney yin deficiency is the most common TCM pattern in chronic tinnitus. When Kidney yin is depleted — through overwork, insufficient sleep, chronic stress, excessive intellectual demands or constitutional weakness — the nourishing, moistening substance that should sustain the inner ear is insufficient. The deficiency generates empty heat that rises to disturb the head and ears, producing a persistent, high-pitched ringing that tends to worsen in the evening and at night when yin should be at its fullest. Associated symptoms include night sweats, dry mouth, insomnia, afternoon heat and lower back ache.

Kidney yang deficiency

When Kidney yang is depleted — by constitutional weakness, ageing, excessive cold exposure, overwork of a physical nature or a long illness — the warming, activating drive needed to maintain circulation and functional vitality to the inner ear is insufficient. Tinnitus associated with Kidney yang deficiency tends to be lower-pitched, worse in cold weather and in the morning, and accompanied by fatigue, coldness, frequent urination, low back pain and a general sense of depletion.

Liver yang rising

In this pattern, Liver yang — the ascending, active energy of the Liver organ system — rises upwards and disturbs the head and ears, producing tinnitus that tends to be sudden in onset, high-pitched, loud and associated with periods of anger, frustration or intense stress. It is often accompanied by headaches, migraines, redness of the face, irritability and insomnia. This pattern often coexists with underlying Kidney yin deficiency — the deficiency of yin failing to anchor Liver yang, which then rises unchecked.

Qi and blood deficiency

When qi and blood are insufficient — often from poor diet, chronic digestive weakness, overwork or blood loss — the inner ear is deprived of adequate nourishment and the tinnitus tends to be lower in pitch, intermittent, and worse with fatigue or after exertion. Associated symptoms include fatigue, poor memory, pale complexion, light-headedness on standing and reduced appetite.

Phlegm and damp obstructing the ear

Accumulation of phlegm and damp — often from a poor diet high in damp-generating foods (dairy, sugar, processed foods, alcohol) or from a weakened Spleen — can obstruct the channels serving the ear, producing a sensation of fullness or blockage alongside the tinnitus. This pattern is often associated with a feeling of muffled hearing, heaviness of the head and digestive sluggishness.

6. Acupuncture for tinnitus

Research has shown beneficial effects of acupuncture treatment for tinnitus, with double-blind clinical trials demonstrating a significant effect in reducing the perception of tinnitus sound and improving quality of life. Acupuncture has been used as a treatment for tinnitus for thousands of years within the TCM tradition, and its mechanisms of action align well with current understanding of the physiological processes driving the condition.

I treat tinnitus using acupuncture points selected to address the specific TCM pattern identified in each patient’s individual assessment, combined with local points around the ear and head to directly improve circulation and neural function in the auditory region. The mechanisms by which acupuncture produces its therapeutic effects in tinnitus include:

Acts on the cochlea — specifically on the contractile activity of outer hair cells, influencing the mechanical transduction processes within the inner ear
Acts on the function of the olivocochlear system — the neural feedback pathway that modulates cochlear sensitivity and filters auditory signals
Alters the brain’s chemistry — increasing neuropeptide Y levels and modulating serotonin levels, influencing the central processing of auditory signals and the emotional response to tinnitus
Reduces inflammation — by promoting release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors that reduce inflammatory activity in the auditory pathway
Increases local microcirculation — improving blood flow to the head, neck and inner ear, which aids dispersal of swelling and enhances oxygen and nutrient delivery to the cochlea and auditory nerve
Reduces stress and sympathetic nervous system activation — reducing the cortisol and adrenaline that worsen tinnitus by impairing inner ear circulation and amplifying the brain’s response to auditory signals
Addresses the underlying TCM deficiency — nourishing Kidney yin and yang, tonifying qi and blood, and anchoring Liver yang to address the constitutional root of the condition rather than just its auditory manifestation

Results vary depending on the type, duration and underlying cause of tinnitus. Tinnitus of recent onset, somatic tinnitus and tinnitus driven by stress, neck tension or circulatory factors typically responds most quickly and completely. Chronic tinnitus of many years’ duration, or tinnitus secondary to significant cochlear damage, may respond more slowly and partially — but meaningful reduction in severity and improvement in quality of life is achievable in most cases with a sufficient course of treatment.

7. Chinese herbal medicine for tinnitus

In cases of chronic tinnitus, or where acupuncture alone produces partial improvement, the addition of Chinese herbal medicine consistently produces better results. Herbs work at a deeper constitutional level than acupuncture, directly replenishing the Kidney yin and yang, qi and blood that are depleted in the underlying patterns. Where the deficiency is longstanding, this deeper nourishment is essential for sustained improvement.

Each herbal prescription I formulate is bespoke, tailored to the patient’s specific TCM pattern. For Kidney yin deficiency with tinnitus, classic formulas such as Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Flavour Rehmannia Pill) form the foundation, with modifications based on individual presentation. For Kidney yang deficiency, warmer formulas including Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Cabinet) may be more appropriate. For Liver yang rising, formulas that nourish yin and anchor yang are used. For phlegm obstruction, formula modifications to resolve phlegm and open the orifices are incorporated.

The herbs I prescribe are pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan, tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. Each prescription is reviewed and adjusted at follow-up consultations as the pattern responds to treatment.

8. Supplements for tinnitus

Specific nutritional deficiencies have been associated with tinnitus in research, and correcting these through targeted supplementation supports the TCM treatment programme. Key supplements I commonly recommend include:

Zinc — zinc deficiency is associated with tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss. Supplementation has shown benefit in tinnitus patients with confirmed zinc deficiency, particularly those with age-related tinnitus. A daily dose of 25–40mg of elemental zinc is typically used, alongside copper supplementation to prevent zinc-induced copper depletion with long-term use.
Magnesium — magnesium plays an important role in protecting the cochlear hair cells from noise-induced damage and from ischaemia. Magnesium deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to noise-induced tinnitus and hearing loss. Supplementation with 200–400mg of magnesium glycinate or citrate daily is well tolerated and supports inner ear vascular health.
Vitamin B12 — deficiency of vitamin B12 is linked to tinnitus and auditory neuropathy. B12 is essential for myelin maintenance in the auditory nerve, and supplementation can improve tinnitus in patients with documented B12 deficiency. It is worth checking B12 levels, particularly in older patients, vegetarians and vegans.
Ginkgo biloba — ginkgo has been studied for tinnitus due to its effects on cerebral and cochlear blood flow and its antioxidant properties. Evidence is mixed, but it may be helpful for tinnitus associated with poor circulation to the inner ear, particularly in older patients. A standardised extract of 120–240mg daily is the typical dose used in research.
Vitamin D — deficiency is extremely common in the UK and has been associated with auditory dysfunction and tinnitus. Checking and correcting vitamin D levels (aiming for 100–150 nmol/L) is a simple and inexpensive step that supports overall nervous system and immune function.
Melatonin — has been shown in research to improve sleep quality in tinnitus patients and to reduce tinnitus severity, possibly through its antioxidant effects on cochlear tissue and its improvement of sleep architecture. Low-dose melatonin (0.5–3mg) taken before sleep is the typical approach.

9. Self-care for tinnitus

Alongside acupuncture and herbal treatment, the following self-care measures can meaningfully reduce the impact and severity of tinnitus:

Sound therapy and sleep

Playing low-level white noise, pink noise or nature sounds at night reduces the contrast between the quiet of the room and the tinnitus, making it easier to relax and fall asleep. Dedicated tinnitus sound therapy apps, white noise machines and sleep-focused audio programmes are all useful tools. The goal is not to mask the tinnitus entirely but to reduce its relative prominence sufficiently to allow the brain to habituate to and ignore it more effectively.

Sleep and rest

Going to bed early — ideally before 10pm — and maintaining consistent sleep and wake times supports the restoration of Kidney yin and yang in TCM. Night-time is the period of maximum yin restoration, and consistently disrupting this actively depletes the very resources that tinnitus treatment is trying to replenish. Adequate sleep also reduces sympathetic nervous system activation, which directly worsens tinnitus by increasing the brain’s sensitivity to auditory signals.

Diet

Eating more protein-rich foods (eggs, fish, poultry, legumes) and seafood (particularly oysters, which nourish Kidney jing in TCM) supports the replenishment of the constitutional resources depleted in tinnitus. Reducing or eliminating alcohol, caffeine, highly processed foods, excess sugar and very salty foods is also beneficial — all of these aggravate Kidney deficiency and can worsen tinnitus acutely. A diet broadly aligned with Chinese food therapy principles supports the TCM treatment programme.

Stress management and working less

Chronic overwork and stress are among the most significant drivers of tinnitus in the patients I see clinically. Tinnitus is frequently the body’s signal that vital reserves are exhausted and the pace of life must change. Reducing workload, practising mindfulness or meditation, and engaging in gentle restorative activities (walking in nature, yoga, tai chi) all reduce cortisol, lower sympathetic nervous system activation and create the physiological conditions in which tinnitus can improve. Regular acupuncture treatment is itself one of the most effective stress reduction tools available, and its benefits compound over successive sessions.

Protect your hearing

Avoiding further noise-induced damage is essential during the course of treatment. Wearing well-fitted ear protection at loud events and venues, keeping personal audio device volumes below 60% of maximum, and limiting continuous exposure to loud environments significantly reduces the risk of tinnitus worsening. Brief periods of quiet each day — away from screens, background music and urban noise — allow the auditory system to rest and recover.

10. Commonly asked questions about acupuncture for tinnitus

Can acupuncture cure tinnitus?

Acupuncture cannot reverse structural damage to the cochlear hair cells that has already occurred. However, for many patients it produces meaningful reduction in the loudness and intrusiveness of tinnitus, and significant improvement in the quality-of-life impacts — sleep, concentration, mood and social function. For tinnitus driven primarily by constitutional deficiency, stress, circulatory factors or somatic causes (jaw and neck), the response to treatment can be very significant. Results depend on the underlying cause, duration of symptoms and the patient’s overall health, and are best assessed after a full course of treatment rather than after one or two sessions.

How many sessions of acupuncture do I need for tinnitus?

Tinnitus generally requires a sustained course of treatment rather than a quick fix. I typically recommend weekly sessions for a minimum of six to eight weeks as an initial course, with reassessment at that point. Chronic, long-standing tinnitus usually requires a longer course than recently onset tinnitus. Many patients choose to continue with monthly maintenance sessions after their initial course to maintain and build on their improvement.

Is tinnitus worse at night?

Yes, for most people. The absence of background noise at night means the tinnitus is more prominent relative to its environment, making it more intrusive and harder to ignore. In TCM terms, tinnitus that is specifically worse at night is a strong indicator of Kidney yin deficiency — yin is at its lowest point during the night and in people with yin deficiency, this nocturnal aggravation is characteristic. Acupuncture and herbal treatment directed at nourishing Kidney yin often produces its most noticeable improvements in nighttime tinnitus and sleep quality first.

Does stress make tinnitus worse?

Yes — consistently and significantly. Stress elevates cortisol and adrenaline, increases sympathetic nervous system activation and impairs blood flow to the inner ear. It also amplifies the brain’s attentional focus on the tinnitus signal, making it appear louder and more intrusive even if its objective level has not changed. Many patients notice a clear correlation between periods of high stress and worsening tinnitus. This is one of the reasons acupuncture is so effective for tinnitus — it addresses stress directly and physiologically, reducing cortisol and activating the parasympathetic system, while simultaneously treating the auditory condition.

Can Chinese herbs help tinnitus?

Yes — particularly for chronic tinnitus or where acupuncture alone produces partial improvement. Chinese herbal medicine addresses the underlying constitutional deficiency at a deeper level than acupuncture and is an important part of the treatment programme for most patients with chronic tinnitus. The specific formula used depends on the individual’s TCM pattern, diagnosed during the initial consultation.

How much does treatment cost?

Full pricing is on the treatment prices page. An initial acupuncture consultation is £70 at my Wokingham clinic; follow-up sessions are £60. Chinese herbal medicine consultations start from £50, with bespoke herbal prescriptions at £35 per week. Online herbal consultations are also available.

References

Daniel Mochida Okada, Ektor Tsuneo Onishi, Fernando Ioriatti Chami, Andrei Borin, Nicolle Cassola, Viviane Maria Guerreiro, Acupuncture for tinnitus immediate relief, Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 72, Issue 2, 2006, Pages 182–186, ISSN 1808–8694, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1808-8694(15)30053-7.

Podoshin L, Ben-David Y, Fradis M, Gerstel R, Felner H. Idiopathic subjective tinnitus treated by biofeedback, acupuncture and drug therapy. Ear Nose Throat J. 1991 May;70(5) 284–289. PMID: 1914952.

Furugrd S, Hedin PJ, Eggertz A, Laurent C. Acupuncture worth trying in severe tinnitus. Lakartidningen. 1998 Apr;95(17) 1922–1928. PMID: 9604636.

Kelun Wang, Jon Bugge, Sven Bugge. A randomised, placebo-controlled trial of manual and electrical acupuncture for the treatment of tinnitus, Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Volume 18, Issue 6, 2010, Pages 249–255, ISSN 0965–2299, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2010.09.005.

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