Tinnitus is a condition that is much more widespread than one might imagine. It is characterized by the perception of a sound that does not exist in the immediate environment. Most often, it is a high-pitched sound, but the exact nature of the perceived noise varies greatly. Some people hear a whistling, a whooshing, a buzzing, or even a pure tone.
Tinnitus varies enormously from person to person, and in many cases, it can persist for a long time. Unfortunately for those who suffer from it long-term, there is no curative treatment, but there are techniques and solutions that can alleviate its severity.
Tinnitus treatments primarily rely on therapies aimed at reducing their daily impact, but other avenues exist. Alprazolam is one of the options that could help relieve tinnitus.
Here's an overview of the different types of tinnitus, their possible causes, alprazolam for this indication, as well as other treatments that can help people live more comfortably with tinnitus.
Tinnitus
As mentioned above, tinnitus is characterized by the perception of a sound that is absent from your immediate environment and that others cannot hear. This definition may seem quite precise, but in reality, there are two main types of tinnitus: objective tinnitus and subjective tinnitus.
These two types are distinguished by their cause. Here's a closer look at what characterizes each of them and what differentiates them.
Objective Tinnitus
Objective tinnitus corresponds to a sound whose source is identifiable and actually picked up by the ears. When you think about it, the body produces a multitude of internal sounds, and the fact that the ears generally don't perceive them is quite remarkable.
One situation in which you do indeed perceive these internal sounds is chewing. If you've ever tried to listen to something while eating chips, you've probably had difficulty, as the sounds produced in your mouth compete with those you're trying to listen to.
One of the most common forms of objective tinnitus is pulsatile tinnitus. It is often caused by turbulent blood flow in or near the ear structures.
This turbulence emits a very faint sound, but its proximity to the ear means it is perceived, and the tinnitus then usually pulses with your heartbeat. This is one of the reasons why your ears might ring after a workout.
Since pulsatile tinnitus has an identifiable cause, it is often possible to take action. For example, by improving blood circulation through better cardiovascular health and monitoring blood pressure. A balanced diet, regular physical activity, and attention to cardiovascular health can help with pulsatile tinnitus.
While pulsatile tinnitus is a common form of objective tinnitus, other forms exist: abnormalities in the ear structures, or even muscle disorders of the ear. Objective tinnitus is primarily defined by an identifiable source, and this form remains rather rare.
Subjective Tinnitus
Subjective tinnitus represents the majority of cases. It is characterized by the absence of any physical source of the sound. As such, subjective tinnitus is a neurosensory disorder. Also known as neurosensory tinnitus, it is an auditory disorder that affects the sensory organ, nerve, or brain.
The main drawback of subjective tinnitus is that there is generally no clearly established treatment: most management strategies target the symptoms rather than the underlying cause. Some forms of subjective tinnitus, such as those caused by medication, may regress when the treatment is stopped, while others can last a lifetime.
What is Alprazolam?
Alprazolam is a prescription medication often prescribed to people suffering from panic, anxiety, or sleep disorders. It is a sedative, useful when a person feels anxious and cannot calm themselves down.
Alprazolam is better known as Xanax. Although it acts as a powerful sedative, it is prescribed sparingly due to its high addictive potential and risk of misuse.
While Xanax is intended for sedative use, several studies have investigated other possible uses, particularly its potential role in the treatment of tinnitus.
Tinnitus and Xanax
Xanax has very restricted official indications: certain sleep disorders and anxiety. However, studies have looked into its potential benefit for relieving tinnitus. One of the strongest is a double-blind study conducted in 1993.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of Xanax in reducing the perceived intensity of tinnitus. It did indeed show a notable decrease in tinnitus intensity in the treated group within its sample, but a single study is not enough to validate Xanax as a treatment for tinnitus.
The main problem with this study lies in its relatively small sample size of 40 people and the fact that it did not compare the drug to existing tinnitus treatments. The main obstacle to the use of Xanax outside its indications remains its potentially addictive nature.
Excessive use can lead to dependence and misuse of the medication. Even in the treatment of anxiety, it is generally prescribed only for short periods to limit the risk of dependence and addiction.
Other approaches, such as therapies, have shown their effectiveness in many people suffering from tinnitus, and they present few or no risks, unlike Xanax. The latter unfortunately exposes users to a long list of adverse effects.
Tinnitus Treatments
It would obviously be nice to have a simple pill capable of curing tinnitus. Unfortunately, this is not possible with current knowledge. Current treatments aim to improve your relationship with your tinnitus or to mask the sound so that it becomes less perceptible and less bothersome in daily life.
Here are the available management options and how they work.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are often thought of as a way to compensate for hearing loss, but they can also help with tinnitus. Tinnitus and hearing loss are two closely related conditions.
Many people notice their tinnitus more in silence, and when you have hearing loss, the environment often seems quieter. Hearing aids increase the volume of sounds to bring them above your hearing threshold, which adds sounds that help cover up the tinnitus.
Noise Machines
Another option for people suffering from tinnitus is to use a noise machine. It is particularly useful at bedtime. Many people with tinnitus have difficulty falling asleep because of their tinnitus.
By using a sound generator, such as a white noise machine, you increase the ambient sound level, which allows you to perceive your tinnitus less prominently.
Therapies
The last method, and probably the most rewarding for regaining control over your tinnitus, is to use therapy. Tinnitus retraining therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapies aim to change the way you think about and react to your tinnitus. Very often, affected individuals focus on the ringing in their ears, which generates anxiety and frustration.
Therapy seeks to re-educate your way of perceiving your tinnitus and to make your reaction more neutral. This approach requires a lot of time and effort, but it is often the most beneficial for people suffering from persistent tinnitus.
Further Research is Coming
Xanax has shown promising results in reducing the perceived intensity of tinnitus, but due to its high addictive potential and adverse effects, it is unlikely to replace more traditional treatments anytime soon.
Proven methods for relieving tinnitus include hearing aids, noise machines, and therapies. If you suffer from tinnitus, it is best to consult an audiologist to ensure that the chosen solution corresponds to your type of tinnitus.
Sources
Understanding the Facts | American Tinnitus Association
Use of alprazolam for relief of tinnitus. A double-blind study | NCBI
A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal | NCBI
