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Questions Asked by the Tinnitus Community - Answers Provided by Arches President, Barry Keate

Note: Ask Barry is pleased to be able to answer your questions based upon the information we have available. Our answers to inquiries are not substitutes for a physician’s advice nor are they reviewed by a physician. We encourage you to share any suggestions you have received from Ask Barry with your doctor.
Can Napping Increase Tinnitus?

Hi Barry,

I’ve found controlling my diet and watching sodium levels has provided perhaps the best results over my tinnitus. I read that many tinnitus sufferers can have stable and low noise days and then after a short nap of 10-30 minutes, their tinnitus goes through the roof, taking days to recover.

Barry, what are your thoughts regarding after-nap affects?

Mike F.

Dear Mike,

Those who wake from a nap with worsened tinnitus may have a somatic component to their tinnitus. That is, there may be signals coming from the muscles or skeleton that are aggravated by the position the person sleeps in. These signals interfere with acoustic signals and can worsen tinnitus.

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a common cause of tinnitus. It occurs when the jaw is out of alignment with the skull. Sleeping on the side may aggravate this and cause TMJ to worsen. A specially trained craniofacial pain dentist can diagnose this. If TMJ is a problem, a simple mouth guard used when sleeping will keep the jaw in line and reduce symptoms.

Other somatic conditions can occur with a spasm of the SCM. That is the sternocleidomastoid muscle that is located below the ears and helps in turning the head.

Other causes can be misalignment of the upper cervical vertebrae or other muscular or skeletal abnormalities. Pressure from these conditions can affect the nerves that feed into the auditory cortex.

To learn more about this condition, please see our article on Somatic Tinnitus.

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

Living a Healthy Lifestyle… But Tinnitus Still Gets Louder

Hi Barry,

I have had tinnitus for about 35 years and it has gotten progressively louder through the years. It has become very bothersome in the last 4 years or so, as it continues to increase in loudness.

I do not eat packaged or processed food. I use turmeric every day and I take Vitamins B, C, D and zinc and taurine. I do not eat gluten, salt and sugar, and only drink one cup of coffee per day, and one glass of wine every few weeks.

I don’t know what else to do to stop the progression of this disease. Do you have any suggestions, and most importantly, can tinnitus increase in loudness every year until you die? That is my biggest fear.

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Janice H.

Dear Janice,

Tinnitus will not increase constantly until you die. In fact over time, many people habituate to it and the annoyance goes down.

There are many causes of tinnitus but the great majority of them involve hearing loss. While there is no cure, there are ways to reduce the loudness and annoyance of tinnitus. Primarily, Arches Tinnitus Formula reduces the sound level. This is especially true for those with hearing loss who have a 60-70% success rate, not in curing it but in reducing the sound intensity and anxiety that accompany tinnitus. This product has to be taken continuously for 90-100 days for it to determine total efficacy.

Whether or not you have success with our products, there are other therapies that are quite helpful and can be done alone or in conjunction with our supplements. These include Mindfulness Meditation and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

Scuba Diving with Tinnitus

Hello Barry,

I am a religious Tinnitus Formula consumer for the past 18 months. I’m happy to report that I only experience mild onsets of tinnitus less than half of every month, and other half of the month I experience no symptoms whatsoever. I’m a very active 65 yr. old male.

I am considering getting my scuba diving certification in the next several weeks. I am curious if in your dealings with thousands of tinnitus sufferers if any have indicated that scuba diving has exacerbated their tinnitus.

I do not wish to embark on an activity that could lead to worsening tinnitus or causing increased frequency of the tinnitus. I appreciate any information you might be able to offer on this subject.

Yours Truly,
Mark S.

Hi Mark,

Thank you for sending in your positive report. I’m very happy you’ve had such a good response to Arches Tinnitus Formula and I’m confident this will continue.

The combination of scuba diving and tinnitus is problematic. I searched some clinical reports on the subject but they were somewhat contradictory. I’ll send links to them so you can make up your own mind. A study from India suggests that some scuba divers can have middle ear barotrauma due to the contrast between water pressure and the air pressure in the middle ear. The barotrauma can lead to hemorrhage of the ear drum which would dramatically increase tinnitus and cause pain and vertigo.

A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association) showed no statistically significant reduced hearing levels in sport divers compared with a non-diving control group.

I’m sorry I don’t have anything more conclusive to report but surprisingly this is not a well studied area. My own feeling on the subject is to go slow and proceed with caution and monitor your depths closely. Hopefully, you’ll be able to enjoy this great sport without any further damage to your hearing.

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

Cross-Over Tinnitus?

Hi Barry,

I am one of your customers. I have very loud ringing in each ear. They are at different levels of pitch and volume (caused by loud noise exposure). Usually I can easily tell them apart but sometimes they appear to “cross-over” to one very loud noise in the center of my head rather than on each side. When this happens, it causes me even more stress.

Have you heard of such a thing from anyone else? I use hearing aids with white noise or wave noise which is of some benefit in general, watch my salt intake, use blood pressure medicine as well as your supplement. But this what I call middle of the head “cross-over” causes me even more distress than the right and left ringing. Any thoughts? Both ears are constant 24 hours a day.

Thanks,
Rick

Dear Rick,

Tinnitus usually begins in the ear, especially if it is due to noise exposure. But it eventually moves to the auditory system in the brain. It is a condition that effects the entire auditory system, from the cochlea to the dorsal cochlear nucleus and onto the auditory cortex. Tinnitus can be heard in any of these structures. That’s the explanation but it doesn’t do much to help you.

You may be interested in trying another tinnitus therapy, along with Arches Tinnitus Formula. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy trains the brain to avoid the aggravation and distress of tinnitus.

Biofeedback trains the patient to control automatic functions of the body that were previously uncontrollable. You can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, practice deep relaxation, and more.

Both of these therapies are widely used to treat tinnitus and the majority of people who use them report very good outcomes. They both work well with Arches Tinnitus Formula

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

Dietary Tinnitus Triggers?

Hi Barry,

I have been taking the Tinnitus Formula since Feb. 19. Last week my tinnitus got worse, making it hard to focus. Is it normal for it to get worse before it gets better?

Are there specific vitamins, minerals, and foods that are known to be triggers to make the tinnitus worse?

Thanks!
Diane M

Dear Diane,

No, this is not normal and it’s very likely caused by something else. I have been getting a lot of messages from people whose tinnitus has spiked in the last couple of weeks. In many cases this spike in tinnitus intensity is caused by additional stress from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic with the necessity to shelter in place, and the isolation of social distancing.

Stress is the #1 trigger for tinnitus and can worsen it significantly. When the stress recedes, tinnitus tends to go back to its previous level.

There are a lot of foods that can worsen tinnitus. Fast food contains high amounts of sodium, which makes tinnitus worse. Sodas, especially diet sodas, should not be consumed as the artificial sweeteners in most can trigger tinnitus.

I hope this is helpful and your tinnitus reduces.

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

Can you take too much Vitamin B?

Hi Barry,

My question is regarding B vitamins, and how they can be toxic. I have had doctors tell me that taking to many much B vitamins can cause permanent nerve damage. What amount of B vitamins do you have to take and for how long before they become toxic?

Respectfully submitted,
Darrell

Hi Darrell,

Thanks for asking this question. It is a valid concern and not many people are aware of any toxic levels for B vitamins. B vitamins are essential in that they enable many of the basic functions of metabolism in the body.

Generally, B Vitamins are water soluble and flush through the body quickly. For this reason they need to be replenished on a daily basis. Most of the B vitamins are non-toxic at any level but there are some for which you should be careful.

Vitamin B3 (niacin) – At doses higher than 50 mg per day, skin flushing may occur with some forms of niacin. This is harmless and only lasts a few minutes. Arches uses niacinamide which generally does not cause flushing. Therapeutic doses of 1500 to 1600 mg per day can be used but with the risk of liver toxicity. Arches Tinnitus Stress Formula contains 100 mg.

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) – Diarrhea can occur at doses of 10 – 20 grams per day. Arches Stress Formula contains 100 mg.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) – An acute toxic dosage has not been established but B6 may cause neurotoxicity at a dose of 300 to 500 mg per day. Arches Stress Formula contains 100 mg.

Vitamin B9 (folic acid) – Doses above 1000 mcg (micrograms) could conceal the signs of vitamin B12 deficiency in older people. Arches Tinnitus B12 Formula contains 400 mcg of methylfolate, a superior form of folic acid which does not need to be metabolized for absorption. It also contains 1,000 mcg of vitamin B12.

The B vitamin your doctor was most likely referring to is B6, which can cause nerve damage. However, Arches Stress Formula and most other companies B-complex vitamins have dosages well below the threshold level for any damage.

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

Can Yoga make Tinnitus worse?

Hello Barry,

Can tinnitus get worse after yoga exercise? And can tinnitus get worse in social gatherings?

Thank you,
Sylvia H.

Dear Sylvia,

Tinnitus can get worse after any exercise however it usually doesn’t last long. In fact, it has been shown that Yoga increases GABA production in the brain. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain that helps to calm electrical activity and reduces tinnitus in the long run. In one study participants underwent 60 minutes of yoga exercise and were compared to a group that spent the time reading. Participants in the yoga study increased brain GABA levels by 27% over those in the reading group.

If social gatherings are loud, they can definitely worsen tinnitus. Most times it will only be a temporary worsening. However, repeated exposure to loud sound can result in damaged hearing that will make tinnitus permanently worse. It’s a good idea to wear hearing protection during exposure to loud sound to prevent permanent damage.

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

Artificial Sweeteners and Tinnitus

Hi Barry,

You were talking about staying away from the artificial sweetener Aspartame, etc. What about Splenda? I don’t use a lot but some on my cereal in the morning… Is this a problem for my tinnitus?

Thanks
Linda B.

Dear Linda,

The sugar alternative Splenda, generic name sucralose, is not a natural compound. It is made by chlorinating sugar. Chlorine replaces some of the hydroxyl groups in sugar. It can be made without sugar in the beginning by using compounds derived from beans, onions and other plants. Some chlorinated molecules serve as the basis of many pesticides such as DDT. These compounds accumulate in the liver and kidneys and are very difficult to clear from the body.

Aspartame (sold as NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful and Indulge) is widely used and is marketed to those who are overweight or diabetic, because it does not contain sugar. However, it is an excitatory neurotransmitter which causes neurons to become hyper-excited and drains them of nutrients until they wither and die. Aspartame excites brain neurons and increase levels of electrical activity in the brain and the auditory cortex, the area where tinnitus is perceived.

While Splenda is not a neurotoxin like Aspartame, it does have many side effects. There has not been one single study conducted on long term health effects on people using Splenda. But animal tests reviewed by the FDA uncovered side-effects as a result of eating sucralose. The FDA witnessed damage to the immune system, including shrunken thymus glands and decreased white blood cell counts, enlarged livers, enlarged kidneys, and low birth weight in the animal studies they reviewed.

Perhaps a better sugar substitute would be Xylitol or Stevia.

Xylitol was developed by the Finns during WWII due to sugar shortages and is manufactured from the husks of vegetable matter. It is about as sweet as table sugar with a third less calories and a low glycemic index. This means it is slowly absorbed from the digestive tract so it does not produce a rapid rise in blood sugar and is safe for diabetics.

While sugars tend to promote the growth of bacteria, Xylitol has been proven to inhibit their growth. It has been shown to be effective in preventing dental cavities by inhibiting the primary bacteria responsible for decay. It can be found in some toothpastes and chewing gums. A major cause of ear infections is a bacteria closely related to the one responsible for dental cavities. Knowing this, Finnish scientists tested 306 children with a history of ear infections. They were able to reduce these infections by half using xylitol sweetened gum. Xylitol looks like sugar, tastes like sugar and is classified as a sugar alcohol. Both the FDA and the World Health Organization have given it safe ratings as a food supplement.

Stevia is a highly sweet herb derived from the leaf of the South American stevia plant. It is completely safe in its natural form and can be used to sweeten most dishes and drinks. Stevia is different from the sugar substitute Truvia, which is derived from the same plant but uses only certain active ingredients, not the whole plant. Because the synergistic effect of all the compounds in the plant provides the overall health effect, Truvia is not as healthful as Stevia.

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

Crying uncle… after a bad night’s sleep?

Dear Barry,

I have bought the Tinnitus Combo Pack for my uncle. But after 10 days he had a very bad night, he could not sleep because of the noise he had inside his head.

What do you recommend in this case?

Thank you in advance,
Maria R.

Hi Maria,

Sleeping can become very difficult for those with tinnitus. It used to wake me up from a dead sleep in the middle of the night so I can sympathize with your uncle.

He should continue the Tinnitus Combo Pack until finished before he can determine how helpful it will be for him. In the meantime there are several strategies to use to help him sleep better. One of the best for tinnitus sufferers is the use of an ambient sound generator or download an app on your smart phone. Stand alone sound generators are inexpensive, and generate several different sounds of moving water, from crashing surf to bubbling creek to falling rain. It has been known for a couple of decades that the sound of moving water is the best way to mask tinnitus. It helps cover the tinnitus sounds and is also very relaxing. Ask your uncle if he notices his tinnitus when he’s in the shower. If the answer is no, it will be effective for him.

Getting a good night’s sleep is important for all of us but more so for those with tinnitus. If they don’t sleep well they end up exhausted, with reduced energy reserves and worse tinnitus. I recommend ensuring a good night’s sleep using almost whatever method works. Vigorous exercise is very helpful and will also help reduce stress and tinnitus. Even a walk in the evening can make the difference.

Melatonin has been shown in clinical studies to be very helpful for people with tinnitus. I use a 10 mg timed-release melatonin. When taken an hour before bed it can make falling asleep easier and then allow one to maintain that sleep throughout the night without feeling groggy the next day. In cases where this doesn’t help, I recommend a sleeping pill or even a prescription medication like Klonopin or Xanax. These are benzodiazepine drugs that many doctors prescribe for tinnitus but are addicting to varying degrees and cannot be used continuously for a long period of time. They are helpful in reducing tinnitus symptoms and aid in sleeping short term. Try the other methods first but if they’re not effective, get your uncle to a doctor for help.

Hopefully our tinnitus products along with melatonin will reduce his tinnitus and his sleeplessness will be a thing of the past.

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

Salt and Tinnitus Roller Coaster

Hi Barry,

After much detailed experimentation, following your literature’s advice, I have determined that an ultra-low sodium diet reduces the ear ringing substantially. My question is, if I do have a higher sodium diet one day, why am I OK the rest of that day, but wake up with the increased ringing which lasts 24 hours? Then, approximately 40 hours later after the high sodium food, I wake up and the ringing is back in lower levels. It’s a maddening roller coaster.

Why does it take so long for the increased ringing to start up and why does it last so long before quieting down? Ultra low sodium for me is less than 400 mg a day. The higher sodium diet in question was about 800 mg in one day. What was added was a cup of cottage cheese! Also I am not overweight or have any health problems.

Or, am I imagining this cause and effect?

Thank you!
Lesley R.

Dear Leslie,

Thank you for your message; this is very important to many people who suffer from tinnitus.

You are not imagining this. It is common knowledge among tinnitus professionals that increased sodium intake exacerbates tinnitus and reducing sodium is helpful in reducing the sound level. Why it takes until the next day to affect you is beyond me. We all process things differently and your metabolism of sodium must be fairly slow. If I have a salty meal, it only takes a couple of hours to increase my tinnitus and the increase only lasts until the next day, when it is generally returned to normal.

You can reduce the amount of time tinnitus is increased by drinking lots of water. This should flush the excess sodium through your system faster.

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

Chinese food – tinnitus connection?

Dear Barry,

I started work at a Chinese restaurant buffet, two months ago, and I get to eat all I want. I noticed ringing in my ears about two weeks ago. I wonder is it from MSG and all the chemicals they use.

I noticed they have a storage room filled with buckets of MSG and lots of other spices. I must quit eating there then see what happens. I ate a pizza the other day, and noticed ringing got louder.

I need info on what to eat proper. I quit caffeine and alcohol cold turkey. I’m scared of this ringing. Any info you can give me please do.

Thanks,
Eric

Dear Eric,

Diet is a very important part of what keeps our bodies and our hearing healthy. There are numerous food additives, including MSG, that can cause or worsen tinnitus. People with tinnitus should avoid or reduce intake of salt, sugar and sugar substitutes. processed and fast foods, nicotine and food additives such as MSG and Aspartame.

MSG in particular is a dangerous additive that has many side effects. The FDA has tried to ban it but food companies pour money into lobbyists who fight to keep it legal. Other side effects include headache, heartburn, sweating, swelling and flushing of the face, among others. Please read our article on Diet and Tinnitus. Note under the section on MSG there is a link to previous article on Neurotoxins and Tinnitus. Please read that also.

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

Newborns Stress Wife’s Tinnitus?

Dear Barry,

My wife is suffering from sensation of sound “flowing” into her ear. This does not happen 24/7. It only happen at certain times, like when she feels stressed. We were blessed with twins recently. Please help. How can I help my wife to get this problem resolved?

Thank you,
Aravind

Dear Aravind,

Congratulations on your new babies! I have 7-year old twin granddaughters so I know the havoc and confusion that can reign with two new babies.

I don’t believe your wife has a serious case of tinnitus. If it only occurs when she’s stressed, it’s pretty mild. Stress is a major aggravator of tinnitus and always makes it worse.

I think she should be able to control her tinnitus through diet and exercise. It is very important to know which foods aggravate tinnitus and which are good for you. One study showed almost 90% of people with tinnitus have sugar metabolism disorders such as insulin resistance or even diabetes. People with tinnitus should avoid sugary foods and especially sodas, which contain more sugar than almost any other processed food. On the other hand, sugar substitutes are often harmful, with the exception of Stevia.

Salt intake should be avoided or minimized as it will usually make tinnitus worse. The ideal diet consists of whole foods, with a minimum of pre-packaged and canned foods. Prepackaged foods are always high in sodium as it is used as a preservative to increase shelf life. We have an article on Diet and Tinnitus that may be helpful.

Exercise is very good for reducing stress and your wife should take some time to go on long walks. This will settle the nervous system and improve tinnitus.

If her tinnitus remains after altering diet and exercise patterns, she may want to try Arches Tinnitus Formula Starter Kit. It can take up to three months to determine total degree of efficacy. I hope this is helpful and wish the very best for your family.

Wishing you and your wife quiet times,
Barry Keate

A “Honey” of Tinnitus

Hello Barry,

Thirteen years ago I wrote to you about my tinnitus, it is non-stop; a type of musical sounding, choir-like humming. It can get very loud and also sounds like an engine running all the time. I wear two hearing aids for quite a few years. Now, I have just read something about honey (causing tinnitus). I have honey on my cereal each day could that be a lot of the cause?

Thank you,
Hazel D.

Dear Hazel,

Thank you for your question. I doubt that honey on your cereal would cause this. Excess sugar, especially if you are diabetic, can and does cause tinnitus. Adhering to a diet suitable for diabetics can reduce the noise level. Please see our article found in our Tinnitus Library 5 Types of Sugar Substitutes: What to Avoid If You Have Tinnitus.

However, I don’t think you have that kind of tinnitus anyway. What you are describing is musical tinnitus, or musical ear syndrome. Many people who are hard of hearing have this and some people actually like it. This occurs when the brain does not have sufficient sound input and it creates its own. The sounds can be anything from choral humming to TV ads.

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

A Sweet Tinnitus Question

Hi Barry,

I have a question regarding the natural sweeteners stevia and erythritol: Where do they fit in as to being healthy or not healthy? Does either act like a carcinogen? Is it really true when they say zero calories, zero carbohydrates, zero sugars, zero fat? Is all of that truth or fiction?

Thanks,
Matthew L.

Dear Matthew,

Many of the mainstream artificial sweeteners (Equal, Splenda etc.) are known to exacerbate tinnitus and generally be bad for one’s health.

Stevia however is an excellent choice. It is from a natural plant in South America and is much sweeter than sugar so less is used. Stevia is very healthy to use.

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol. It is less sweet than sugar and is not completely calorie-free. It is not completely absorbed by the body so can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea if too much is taken. Erythritol actually has 0.24 calories per gram, with only 6% of the calories of sugar, it still has 70% of the sweetness.

Stevia has zero calories and sugars.

Neither of these is carcinogenic. Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin and sucralose are carcinogenic and have many other side effects. These should be studiously avoided.

We have an in-depth article about sugar substitutes and tinnitus that you may find helpful.

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

Fast Food, Loud Music and Tinnitus

Hi Barry,

How do you stop tinnitus spikes? I hardly eat salt, drink caffeine free soda once in a while, and eat some fast food but even food at home makes no difference. Any ideas? Food might not make difference. I ate salad with chicken and no difference. I believe I have self-induced tinnitus due to listening to music with my tablet. Can it go away? I have had it for 22 months.

Thank you,
Ron R.

Dear Ron,

If you have tinnitus due to listening to music, you have hearing loss. There is no cure for hearing loss-induced tinnitus but there are therapies that can reduce the sound level and the aggravation.

A proper diet is necessary to keep tinnitus from getting worse. Salt is the biggest culprit. Fast food contains a large amount of salt and should be avoided. Sodas are also bad for tinnitus because of sugar or sugar substitutes and should also be avoided. Here is our article on Diet and Tinnitus.

Arches Tinnitus Formula has been shown in scientific studies to reduce tinnitus sounds for the great majority of people who use it. It takes three months to become fully effective so we recommend Arches Starter Kit, a full three-month supply of four bottles.

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

Type 2 Diabetes, Diet and Tinnitus

Dear Barry,

I have type 2 diabetes and changed my diet. I allow one treat every couple of weeks (take-out – but apart from that mainly fresh fruit and salad). Yesterday I did over do the grapes and bananas (also just drink water and Pepsi Max) and today my tinnitus is terrible. Could this be due to the natural sugars in the grapes or the three bananas I ate yesterday?

Thanks for your help,
Phillip R.

Dear Philip,

Fresh fruits and vegetables are very good for those with diabetes. Fruit juices should be avoided because juices concentrate the sugars. Whole fruit has enough fiber that it slows sugar metabolism and avoids the sugar spikes of juices and other sugary drinks.

Pepsi Max on the other hand is not safe. Pepsi Max is sweetened with Aspartame, a known neurotoxin. It overexcites brain neurons until the point where they become depleted and die. Because of this, it is known as an excitotoxin. Aspartame is known to trigger or worsen many neurological conditions such as MS, epilepsy, Alzheimers, diabetes and tinnitus.

I suggest limiting your fluid intake to water and green tea. These are very healthy and won’t aggravate your diabetes or tinnitus.

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

Does diet affect tinnitus?

Hi Barry,

Do you think that things we eat make tinnitus worse? I can’t figure it out. What are we supposed to eat now, and what will help spikes? And your formula; how does that work and how long will it take? Is it a permanent fix or I would have to take it forever?

Thanks,
Ron R.

Dear Ron,

Diet is very important for controlling tinnitus. Many people don’t know salt is a major aggravator of tinnitus and may be chowing down on salty snacks wondering why their tinnitus is spiking. There are many other considerations that are discussed in this article on Diet and Tinnitus.

It takes about three months to get the full benefit of Arches Tinnitus Formula. This is consistent with all dietary supplements used to relieve any condition. After tinnitus is reduced you must continue to use the Tinnitus Formula to keep it that way. Many people find they can reduce the dosage of the Tinnitus Formula after the first three months and still get good results. This depends on the individual. We have a detailed article on the science behind Arches Tinnitus Formula and how it works to minimize symptoms.

Since it takes up to three months to get the full benefit, we recommend Arches Tinnitus Starter Kit, a three-month supply. It requires four bottles of the Tinnitus Formula. You can purchase these individually but there is a significant cost saving by purchasing the entire Starter Kit. Plus, you won’t run the danger of running out during the initial period.

I hope this is helpful for you and answers your questions.

Wishing you quiet times,

Barry Keate

Pre-diabetic, with sugar cravings and tinnitus

Hello Barry,

In February I was told that I am pre-diabetic. I also have constant ringing in my ears. So if I use only natural sugar substitutes like stevia, lo han guo or glucose, then should I have better blood readings as well as less or no ear ringing? I have been trying to change my eating habits but my craving for sugar and overall hunger seems to have increased. Will using only the above recommended sugar substitutes help relieve me of the hunger and sugar cravings?

Thank you,
Lillian M.

Dear Lillian,

Those sugar substitutes are very good and should be used. You also need to eliminate or dramatically reduce simple carbohydrate intake. Simple carbohydrates convert to sugar almost immediately after ingestion. Being pre-diabetic means you have hyperinsulinemia. This is resistance to insulin and the condition leads to diabetes. It takes a long time to reverse. You should be on a diet suitable for diabetics for at least a couple of years. As the hyperinsulinemia reduces, your tinnitus should also reduce.

Please read our article on how insulin resistance and diabetes cause tinnitus

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

Gluten and Tinnitus

Hi Barry,

Just wondering your thoughts on gluten contributing to or even the cause of tinnitus?

Thank you!
Lyndia G.

Dear Lyndia,

There hasn’t been a lot of research on this but there does seem to be a connection. Celiac disease, the condition afflicting people who are gluten intolerant, is associated with malabsorption; specifically Vitamin B12. Lack of B12 is a known cause of tinnitus.

There also seems to be a link between Celiac disease and hearing loss. In one clinical study, published by the Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology, a neurological correlation has been found between Celiac disease and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). SNHL is the condition where hair cells in the cochlea are damaged and hearing is impaired. This is the primary cause of tinnitus in about 85% of cases.

There are many anecdotal reports of people with tinnitus who stopped ingesting gluten and their tinnitus improved. The International Tinnitus Journal reports on one case. A patient with severe high pitched tinnitus reported a considerable decrease in tinnitus with a gluten free diet.

More studies are necessary to explain the exact relationship between Celiac disease and tinnitus. However, there does seem to be a definite affiliation between the two.

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate

The tinnitus, Meniere’s disease and low-carb connection

Hi Barry,

Is there any other research involving tinnitus, Meniere’s disease and a low carb diet as a fix to help alleviate symptoms?

Best regards,
Catherine B.

Dear Catherine,

Yes, there is. Although the original cause of Meniere’s is unknown, it results in the build-up of fluids in the vestibular canals which control balance. High sugar foods cause the body to retain fluid and this can make Meniere’s disease worse. Therefore, a low carb diet should be helpful for Meniere’s.

Sugar metabolism disorders, such as hyperinsulinemia (a precursor to diabetes), has long been known to cause tinnitus. One study showed between 84% and 92% of tinnitus patients were shown to have hyperinsulinemia. When placed on a diet suitable for diabetics, over 50% of patients who adhered to the diet had significant improvement or complete resolution of their tinnitus. The researchers stated sugar metabolism disorders are one of the probable causes of Meniere’s disease as well as tinnitus.

A 2016 study published in the International Archives of Otolaryngology found identification of carbohydrate metabolism disturbances is important to minimize the patients’ clinical symptoms.

Low carb diets are very healthy for a number of reasons, tinnitus and Meniere’s included.

Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate


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