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← Return to Cochlear Implant and Tinnitus
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I had some tinnitus in the past, but it was never to the extent that it was bothering me. Actually, I didn't pay any attention to it. Since December 2024, tinnitus progressively became more noticeable, up to the point that it can wake me up at night, or, during the day with hearing aids on, making it harder to follow any conversations.
I have spent a significant amount of time researching many publications and online groups, reviewed NIH research papers, websites dedicated to tinnitus, how others have been coping with it, etc.
Unless I overlooked it, I have not found significant postings describing any experience with being treated with acupuncture for tinnitus relief, for how long the relief lasted, if at all.
(I might add that in the past I had very good experience with acupuncture treatment for lower back pain, but even more so getting relief from seasonal allergies which would last 2-3 months)
I would appreciate receiving any information about individual experiences. Thank you.
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Just an update to my previous post.
Recently, I had two acupuncture session, 2 weeks apart and I can confirm that it has helped following intermittent phases, sometimes lasting for an hour, sometimes most of the day.
On both occasions I arrived at the clinic with quite loud and annoying tinnitus, sounding similar to driving a noisy car on a busy highway. After each 30 minutes treatment it was gone.
(Coincidentally, the doctor himself has a one sided cochlear implant, had tinnitus himself, the implant improved it, otherwise he manages when needed through yoga, meditation and other oriental relaxation exercises.
I am due for a one sided cochlear implant in a few weeks and time will tell if and how it will affect the tinnitus one way or another.)
The downsides based on my experience to date:
1) the treatment does not last;
2) it is costly - I am on Medicare, and do not have any medically provable reasons to qualify for coverage.
If anyone might consider acupuncture treatment, I suggest to seek treatment at a clinic whose doctors are experienced graduates, preferably from Chinese/Hong Kong or other oriental based medical schools, or at the least spent time there for specialization training. The clinic’s website should publish the doctor’s bio and list tinnitus treatment among other medical/neurological issues.