Question: I am 62 and have been a tinnitus sufferer for several years. I have a high-pitched jet scream in my right ear and a low humming in my right ear. Can this be cured? Can you recommend any treatment?

Dr. Hibberd's Answer:

Tinnitus is a medical term for "noises" in the ear. Various conditions cause tinnitus, and various frequencies have been associated with various conditions. Tinnitus is corrected by management and treatment of the underlying condition. Unfortunately, not all conditions are correctable. For instance, noise damage to our ears is uncorrectable. Sometimes distracting noises or white noise is used to disguise tinnitus. There are no simple, safe medications that can effectively suppress tinnitus of undetermined cause. I know of no herb preparations that have been shown to be safe and effective, either.