The Absolute WORST Tinnitus Treatments in 2024

While over 30 million Americans experience tinnitus, experts have yet to find a cure for these phantom sounds. For some, tinnitus may disappear on its own or after treating an underlying condition. However, there is no definitive cure for ringing in the ears, and a treatment that works for one person may not work for another.

The cause of tinnitus isn’t always clear either, and this makes it even harder to treat. Many patients undergo a trial-and-error process to find what works for them, and without the right guidance, this process can end up being both long and expensive.

The tinnitus community is always abuzz with the next treatment that promises to fix the ringing in the ears. The experts at Treble Health stay up to date with the latest tinnitus updates and have tested and tried most of these tinnitus treatments so you don’t have to. Here are some of the worst tinnitus treatments available right now, ranging from a $1 ear clip all the way up to a $5,000 tinnitus surgery: 

Ear Clip

The $1 tinnitus ear clip is a low-cost product designed for treating tinnitus at home, or on the go. The clip is made of silicone and is held in place at the tragus by the magnets at the end. This device is supposed to apply gentle pressure while delivering magnetic therapy to reduce the volume of the tinnitus.

Electromagnetic stimulation has shown very little promise in the treatment of tinnitus when applied to the ear at different intervals. The same is true for acupressure as an appropriate or effective treatment for tinnitus. However, these magnets are a cheap imitation of the conditions in which these treatments showed promise. In other words, these clips aren’t nearly strong enough to even have a mildly similar effect. To date, there’s no evidence that this ear clip is going to help your tinnitus, but for only $1, at least it won’t break the bank to try it out.

Tinnitus Ointment

Tinnitus ointment, priced at $5, contains ingredients like water and extracts of ginkgo leaf, chamomile, cedarwood, and hibiscus flower. However, neither water nor these herbal extracts are clinically proven to treat tinnitus.

The cream is applied behind the earlobe and is supposed to ease tinnitus by massaging it into the skin. There’s no evidence that any topical cream can relieve tinnitus, primarily because tinnitus is often caused by an abnormality in the auditory system. Massaging certain pressure points may however have a calming effect, and can be useful for tinnitus, and everyday stress and tension.

Tinnitus Inhaler

This tinnitus inhaler costs $10, and users are expected to inhale it through their nostrils to find relief from their tinnitus. The inhaler contains purified water, spearmint, witch hazel, and dry lotus extracts. It is supposed to have a ‘calming’ and ‘numbing’ effect as the space behind the eardrum is connected to the nasal passage, but this may cause irritation for some users, especially if overused. For those whose tinnitus is related to chronic Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, sinus congestion, or allergies, it is possible that this could help temporarily alleviate tinnitus by opening up congested nasal passages and reducing swelling around the Eustachian Tubes – allowing the middle ear to function normally.  

The treatment is based on ancient Chinese herbal medicine, however, there’s no proof this can help with tinnitus. 

Tinnitus Patch

At $15, the tinnitus patch is a small adhesive patch that is placed behind the ear on the soles of the feet. The patches stay there for about 8 to 12 hours and are then replaced to continue delivering treatment. 

Tinnitus patches are made of herbs common to Chinese medicine like safflower and honeysuckle. These herbs are supposed to be absorbed in the skin to promote focus and comfort and minimize distractions caused by tinnitus. However, none of the ingredients in the patch are associated with inner ear health or have been proven to reduce tinnitus. 

The patch does smell nice, and pleasant smells can help calm you down and reduce some stress, but is unlikely to do anything for your tinnitus. Unsurprisingly, the tinnitus patch, as well as everything that we’ve covered so far, is not regulated or approved by the FDA.

Flare Calmer

The Flame Calmer is a $25 earplug that reduces high-pitch noises without blocking out the sound entirely. Some in the tinnitus community recommend it for reducing certain pitches or frequencies that can trigger tinnitus.

According to the product website, the Flame Calmer wasn’t designed to treat tinnitus — some people have found it helpful for their tinnitus, but they don’t recommend buying it solely for this purpose. In fact, this product is more useful as a tool for patients with hyperacusis, or sound sensitivity, where everyday sounds like water running, dishes clanking, voices, and driving in a car on the highway are just too loud. 

Tinnitus Gummies

These tinnitus gummies are $50 and contain zinc, vitamins A, C, and E, beetroot, acai berry, and goji berry. Zinc, and the other vitamins in these gummies have been linked to overall health, while others help with inflammation, cell regeneration, and blood circulation.

However, the truth is that no vitamin or supplements are going to fix tinnitus, as tinnitus is not caused by a vitamin deficiency. A 2022 study from the American Journal of Otolaryngology found that low zinc levels were not associated with tinnitus. 

Ear Drops

Cortexi ear drops cost $75 and are a daily formula comprised of minerals, herbs, and vitamins that claim to improve hearing health and promote auditory clarity. The drops supposedly improve blood flow to the ear, which should promote the health of inner ear cells and reduce ear inflammation among other benefits. While this is true for the individual nutrients in the context of overall health, it doesn’t mean it will have any meaningful impact on tinnitus. 

There haven’t been any clinical trials on this product nor is it FDA approved. Tinnitus isn’t as simple as a problem with the inner ear health and even then, adding extra nutrients isn’t going to fix the ringing in the ears.

In 2023, the Better Business Bureau reported a pattern of customer complaints about Cortexi and the product has very questionable advertising. 

Audio Cardio

Audio Cardio is a $100-a-year mobile app that uses inaudible sound therapies, or very soft high-pitch sounds to stimulate the cells in your ear. The manufacturers of this product claim this approach can maintain and strengthen your hearing, as it is a form of ‘physical therapy’ for your hearing. This product claims to be customizable to address the frequencies affected due to aging or sound exposure, which can supposedly stimulate those cells and fire up the neurons responsible for hearing health and tinnitus.

This is similar to how hearing aids can help to alleviate tinnitus in those who suffer from hearing loss – by stimulating the auditory regions within the cochlea that have been damaged, the brain is stimulated and receiving input from these damaged cells, which can alleviate tinnitus. However, the big difference here is that hearing aids are programmable to your audiogram by a hearing professional to meet your specific frequency needs, and Audio Cardio is not.  

The studies on which these claims are based on were performed on chinchillas and mice, which means there’s no real proof it works for humans. Plus, there are cheaper and more effective sound therapy options available, many of which are available from the experts at Treble Health who can set up a targeted sound therapy treatment plan with devices set up personalized for each case.

Ear Laser Treatment

Ear laser treatment starts at around $500, and involves a small laser that can be used at home. It is purported to “regrow hearing cells”, and is based on a study from the 1960s, where low-level laser therapy was found to increase blood microcirculation and promote an increase in cell reproduction.

However, a meta-study in 2020 analyzed 11 studies of 670 patients and found no significant improvement from laser therapy. This means we’re still a long way from ear laser as a practical treatment for tinnitus.

Neosensory Wristband

The Neosensory wristband costs $1,000, and features vibrating motors and a smartphone app that provides daily sound exercises. The wristband plays different tones that are synchronized to the feeling of the vibrations to deliver a form of bimodal stimulation. Bimodal stimulation has been explored as a potential option for managing tinnitus by training it to ignore phantom sounds. 

The creators of this product claim the wristband improves tinnitus in two months with 10 minutes a day of treatment in 91% of users. However, these results are based on a study of about 20 patients, without mention of long-term results.

Stem Cell Surgery

Stem cell surgery for tinnitus has a $5,000 price tag, where cells are surgically removed from other parts of the body and implanted in or around the ear. The idea behind this type of procedure is to encourage the regrowth of the affected areas, by using specific stem cells that could migrate to the cochlea, the hearing organ, where those damaged cells are located, which could restructure and repair the cells. 

These claims are based on several studies that have shown that human stem cells can repair auditory nerves and restore hearing in deaf animals. However, we simply don’t have enough studies of stem cell treatments done on humans for this purpose. Existing research on animals could be promising, but it’s insufficient.

Proven Tinnitus Treatments

There’s a ton of misinformation on the internet about tinnitus and overcoming its symptoms. Most of these are marketing claims to either cure or get rid of all your tinnitus symptoms. Always consult a professional before starting any treatment for tinnitus. 

These are the treatments experts across the board recommend for managing tinnitus:

• Tinnitus Retraining Therapy – This is the gold standard for tinnitus treatment and is a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Sound Therapy customized to individual tinnitus cases.
• Stress Reduction Therapies – Stress may trigger or worsen tinnitus, so reducing stress can help to make tinnitus more manageable, and improve overall wellbeing.
• Hearing Aids – Many people with tinnitus have some degree of hearing loss, and hearing aids and other hearing technology can address the hearing loss that may be causing tinnitus.
• Treating Underlying Conditions – Tinnitus is a symptom, not a condition or disease. Treating the condition causing tinnitus can often make the ringing in the ears go away. Some of these conditions include high blood pressure, ear infections, and head/neck trauma.
• Sleep Therapy – Tinnitus can lead to insomnia, and a lack of sleep can worsen tinnitus. Sleep therapy and medication can help patients get more restful nights.

Reduce Your Tinnitus with the Treble Health Team

Overcoming tinnitus often requires professional help, and the Treble Health team is here to help. Our team of audiologists have decades of experience in helping patients reduce their tinnitus and regain their quality of life. If you’re ready to start the path to tinnitus relief, we encourage you to schedule a complimentary telehealth consultation with an expert on our team. During this free, 20-minute Zoom call, we’ll talk about your personal experience with tinnitus, answer your questions, and explore the best treatment options for your personal situation. Don’t put off tinnitus treatment any longer – schedule your consultation today.