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    Tinnitus (adjunctive care)

    Also known as: tinnitus, ringing in the ears, buzzing ears, ear noise

    Tinnitus is hearing sound with no outside source. It's often linked to hearing loss, noise exposure or stress. Hearing assessment, sound therapy and CBT have the best evidence; acupuncture evidence is mixed. Chinese medicine separates excess patterns (Liver fire, Phlegm-Heat) from deficiency patterns (Kidney essence deficiency).

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    Lifestyle & Diet

    • •Get a hearing test — treating hearing loss often eases tinnitus.
    • •Use background sound at night rather than silence.
    • •Protect ears from loud noise.
    • •CBT and relaxation help how much tinnitus bothers you.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    See sources
    • •Sudden hearing loss and pulsing tinnitus need medical assessment first.[,]
    • •Needle ear points with the mouth open; avoid deep insertion near the ear canal.[]

    When to reassess or seek care again

    See sources

    Use the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory at baseline and every 4–6 weeks. Refer to audiology if not already assessed.

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    Sources & Further Reading

    Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.

    1. Tinnitus — Healthdirect
      Healthdirect Australia · 2024
    2. Tinnitus: assessment and management (NG155)
      NICE · 2020
    3. Tinnitus — Hearing Australia
      Hearing Australia · 2023
    4. Kim et al. — Acupuncture for tinnitus: systematic review
      Clinical Otolaryngology · 2012
    5. Chinese medicine practitioner safety standards
      AHPRA / Chinese Medicine Board of Australia · 2024

    Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.