The Ear LabThe Ear Lab

What comes next

28 notes in this shelf

Management

Evidence-aware ways to understand assessment, support, and day-to-day management choices.

Latest in Management

Sorted by publish date.

  1. 01Jul 15, 2026

    Why is my tinnitus louder after earwax removal?

    Tinnitus can feel louder after wax removal because hearing contrast changes or the canal is irritated. Pain, drainage, or hearing loss needs care. When to act.

    Read note
  2. 02Jul 15, 2026

    Why did my tinnitus spike after wearing earplugs?

    Earplugs can reveal tinnitus by reducing outside sound, causing occlusion, or irritating the canal. They still protect hearing when used correctly. When to act.

    Read note
  3. 03Jun 14, 2026

    Best tinnitus supplements (2026): what the evidence actually shows

    No supplement is proven to cure tinnitus, and none has passed an independent randomized trial. An honest, source-cited ranking of the ingredients and what the data say.

    Read note
  4. 04Jun 14, 2026

    Do tinnitus supplements actually work? What the evidence says

    Do tinnitus supplements work, or are they a waste of money? The honest, source-cited answer: no supplement is proven to reduce tinnitus, with one narrow exception.

    Read note
  5. 05Jun 14, 2026

    Quietum Plus review: does it actually work for tinnitus?

    An evidence-first Quietum Plus review. No independent trial shows it reduces tinnitus, and its sales claims exceed the evidence. What that means before you buy.

    Read note
  6. 06Jun 14, 2026

    Quietum Plus vs Tinnitus 911: an evidence-based comparison

    Quietum Plus and Tinnitus 911 are the two most-searched tinnitus supplements. Neither has an independent trial. A side-by-side comparison and an honest verdict.

    Read note
  7. 07Jun 14, 2026

    Tinnitus 911 review: what the evidence says before you buy

    An evidence-first Tinnitus 911 review. No independent trial supports its tinnitus claims. What to know first.

    Read note
  8. 08Jun 14, 2026

    Tinnitus cure scams: how to spot a fake tinnitus supplement

    No supplement has been shown to treat or cure tinnitus, so any product promising to silence it permanently is overselling. A source-cited guide to the red flags and what to check before purchase.

    Read note
  9. 09Jun 14, 2026

    What vitamin deficiency causes ringing in the ears?

    Low vitamin B12, zinc, and iron are the deficiencies most linked to tinnitus. When a deficiency is the cause, correcting it can help, which is why testing comes before supplements.

    Read note
  10. 10May 22, 2026

    Benzodiazepines and tinnitus: short-term benefit, long-term concern

    Benzodiazepines reduce tinnitus distress short-term, but tolerance and withdrawal tinnitus complicate long-term use. Clinical guidelines and patient considerations.

    Read note
  11. 11May 22, 2026

    Bimodal stimulation (Lenire): the tongue-and-sound device explained

    Bimodal stimulation pairs auditory tones with tongue electrical stimulation. The Lenire device received FDA approval in 2023. Evidence summary and patient eligibility.

    Read note
  12. 12May 22, 2026

    First tinnitus appointment: what to ask, what to bring

    Preparation for your first audiology or ENT appointment. Symptom diary, medication list, exposure history, and the questions that often go unasked.

    Read note
  13. 13May 22, 2026

    Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus: Cochrane review verdict

    Ginkgo biloba has been studied for tinnitus in multiple randomized trials. The Cochrane review verdict is no benefit beyond placebo. What the data show.

    Read note
  14. 14May 22, 2026

    Hearing aid features explained: directional mics to Bluetooth

    Modern hearing aids have 8-12 channels, AI noise reduction, directional microphones, and direct Bluetooth streaming. Which features actually matter for tinnitus management.

    Read note
  15. 15May 22, 2026

    Minimum masking level (MML): the loudness needed to cover your tinnitus

    MML measures the broadband noise level required to completely mask your tinnitus. A core part of psychoacoustic tinnitus assessment.

    Read note
  16. 16May 22, 2026

    Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI): the 25-question distress score

    THI scores tinnitus distress from 0 to 100. Audiologists use it to track patient burden over time and gauge treatment response.

    Read note
  17. 17May 22, 2026

    Tinnitus tracking diary: what to log, for how long, why

    A two-week structured tinnitus diary helps identify triggers and track treatment response. What to log, how to score, and which apps automate it.

    Read note
  18. 18May 22, 2026

    TMS for tinnitus: what 20 years of research has shown

    Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has been studied extensively for chronic tinnitus. Results are modest but real for a subset of patients. Current state and access.

    Read note
  19. 19May 22, 2026

    Vagus nerve stimulation for tinnitus: paired-VNS protocols

    VNS paired with auditory tones aims to drive targeted neural plasticity. Clinical trial results, current device development, and where the science sits.

    Read note
  20. 20May 22, 2026

    When to see an audiologist: 7 specific triggers

    Not every ear concern warrants an audiologist visit. The seven specific symptoms and situations where you should book one within 2 weeks.

    Read note
  21. 21May 21, 2026

    CBT for tinnitus: the evidence-backed psychological treatment

    Cognitive behavioral therapy has the strongest evidence base of any tinnitus intervention. What sessions actually involve, who responds, and where to find a trained provider.

    Read note
  22. 22May 21, 2026

    Cochlear implants and tinnitus: when restoring input quiets phantom sound

    Most cochlear implant recipients report reduced tinnitus in the implanted ear. The leading explanation is that restored auditory input downregulates central gain. Evidence and exceptions.

    Read note
  23. 23May 21, 2026

    Hearing aids for tinnitus: why amplification often quiets ringing

    When hearing loss accompanies tinnitus, restoring environmental sound through hearing aids reduces perceived ringing. Combination devices add masking. Evidence overview.

    Read note
  24. 24May 21, 2026

    Mindfulness-based therapies for tinnitus: what MBSR can and cannot do

    Mindfulness-based stress reduction does not silence tinnitus. It changes the relationship to the sound. Evidence summary from controlled trials of MBSR and MBCT for tinnitus distress.

    Read note
  25. 25May 21, 2026

    Notched music therapy for tinnitus: theory, evidence, and limits

    Notched music removes a narrow frequency band centered on the tinnitus pitch. Lateral inhibition theory predicts this can reduce the auditory cortex's overactivation. What the trials actually show.

    Read note
  26. 26May 21, 2026

    Tinnitus and sleep: why nights are worst and how to break the cycle

    Sleep deprivation worsens tinnitus and tinnitus worsens sleep. Cognitive, environmental, and behavioral interventions with the strongest evidence for breaking the feedback loop.

    Read note
  27. 27May 21, 2026

    Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT): what it is and how long it takes

    TRT combines counseling and low-level broadband sound to habituate the auditory system to tinnitus. Treatment timeline, evidence, and how it differs from CBT and masking.

    Read note
  28. 28May 21, 2026

    White noise machines for tinnitus: what masking actually does

    White noise does not cure tinnitus. It changes the contrast between phantom sound and background, which makes ringing harder to notice. Mechanism, evidence, and how to choose a machine.

    Read note