Tinnitus Treatment: 5 Strategies to Relieve the Ringing and Tackle Its Main Cause

If you’ve ever experienced a persistent ringing, buzzing, or humming noise in your ears, you’re not alone. This condition, known as tinnitus, affects millions of people worldwide and can be incredibly frustrating to manage. However, there are several self-care techniques you can use to alleviate its symptoms immediately and improve your quality of life.

One of the primary culprits behind tinnitus that is often overlooked is muscle tension, specifically in the masseter muscle. This muscle is used when we chew or bite down and can become chronically tight in people who grind their teeth. Other muscle groups in the neck and shoulders can also contribute to tinnitus, especially if poor posture is involved. By learning to stretch these muscles and maintain good posture, you can significantly reduce your tinnitus symptoms and improve your overall well-being.

In this article and attached video, we’ll explore five self-help techniques that can help you manage tinnitus and reduce the ringing in your ears.
By incorporating these tools into your daily routine, you can take control of your tinnitus and find relief from its symptoms.

So, let’s dive in and discover the top five techniques that can assist with tinnitus management and provide relief. Whether you’re experiencing mild or severe tinnitus, these simple yet effective techniques can help you reduce the ringing in your ears and improve your quality of life.

Masseter Massage

Use a tennis ball or knuckles to locate tender spots around the jaw area
Apply pressure to the identified tender spot and hold it for one minute
Notice the tenderness gradually subsiding while holding the trigger point
Shift the knuckles around to find other tender spots and repeat the process
Reassess tinnitus symptoms after releasing each trigger point
This technique can relieve tension and improve blood flow to the jaw muscles

Masseter Stretch

Place fingers on outer edges of jaw near ears
Start at top of jaw and move down and the middle
Slowly open mouth as wide as possible without causing pain
Gently apply pressure to the masseter muscle with fingers as mouth is opened
Hold stretch for about 30 seconds
Release the stretch
Repeat the stretch 2-3 times as needed

Auditory Region/Temporal Massage

The region is located 1.5 cm above the highest point of the ear
The region extends 2 cm forward and backwards
Massage this region from front to back
Pay attention to any tenderness along this line
Focus on the tender regio
Apply pressure on the tender region and rub it up and down
Massage the area for 1 minute

V Massage Acupressure Points

Use index and middle fingers to form a V-shape
Place fingers on tragus and mastoid process
Tragus is the small bump at the front of the ear canal
Mastoid process is the bony protrusion behind earlobe and at base of skull
Mastoid process is the attachment point for the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle
Gently massage both areas using circular or back-and-forth motions.

Occiput Tapping

Cup palms over ears
Wrap fingers around back of head
Place index fingers on top of middle fingers
Flick index fingers downward onto back of skull in occiput area
Tap skull firmly while keeping ears sealed with palms
The technique can create a resonating effect
The resonating effect may provide relief from tinnitus.

Hope these techniques are helpful. If you’re still struggling with tinnitus, seek the guidance of our Physiotherapists at EastWest Physiotherapy Burnaby. Our experienced team can assess your condition and develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and goals.