Acupuncture for Tinnitus: Does It Actually Work?

Summary

Dr. Ben Thompson, an audiologist and founder of Treble Health, discusses the potential of acupuncture in tinnitus management. Despite its growing popularity in mainstream healthcare, research on acupuncture's effectiveness for tinnitus is inconclusive. Thompson suggests that while acupuncture may not be a primary treatment, it could be a supplementary approach, especially for stress reduction. He emphasizes the importance of evidence-based treatments like sound therapy and coaching for managing tinnitus, recommending these over acupuncture due to stronger scientific backing.

Takeaways

• 👨‍⚕️ Dr. Ben Thompson, an audiologist with an audiology residency from UCSF, discusses acupuncture's potential role in tinnitus management.
• 🏥 Dr. Thompson is the founder of an online telehealth company focused on tinnitus, which serves hundreds of patients monthly.
• 🔍 The script reviews research on acupuncture for tinnitus, finding mixed results and a lack of strong scientific support.
• 🪡 Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice involving needle insertion to rebalance 'chi' or life energy.
• 🧘‍♂️ Dr. Thompson personally found acupuncture relaxing, likening it to meditation, suggesting it could reduce stress and improve well-being.
• 📊 A 2011 study suggested acupuncture might improve quality of life by reducing stress, which can exacerbate tinnitus.
• 🤔 The script acknowledges stress as a significant factor in tinnitus, potentially causing or worsening the condition.
• 🎧 Traditional audiology management, such as sound therapy and coaching, is recommended over acupuncture due to stronger scientific evidence.
• 💡 Acupuncture could be considered as a supplementary treatment alongside evidence-based methods for a holistic approach.
• 📚 The Tinnitus Guide by Treble Health is offered as a resource for the latest treatments and management tips for tinnitus.

Q & A

What is Dr. Ben Thompson's profession and where did he complete his residency?

Dr. Ben Thompson is an audiologist who completed his audiology residency at a major hospital in San Francisco, California, UCSF.

What is the focus of Dr. Thompson's online telehealth company?

The online telehealth company started by Dr. Thompson is 100% focused on tinnitus, seeing hundreds of tinnitus patients every month.

What is acupuncture and its origin according to the video?

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves inserting needles at specific locations along the body to rebalance the flow of energy, known as 'chi' in Chinese medicine.

What is the theory behind the use of acupuncture for disease or pathology?

The theory behind acupuncture suggests that disease or pathology can be linked to a disruption of the flow of energy in the body, and that inserting needles at specific points can help restore balance.

Why did Dr. Thompson personally try acupuncture?

Dr. Thompson tried acupuncture for holistic health benefits, not specifically for tinnitus, and found it to be relaxing and similar to meditation.

What is the general research consensus on acupuncture's effectiveness for treating tinnitus according to the video?

The research on acupuncture for treating tinnitus is mixed, and the video does not present any scientific evidence supporting acupuncture as a significant treatment for tinnitus.

What was the finding of the 2011 study mentioned in the video regarding acupuncture and tinnitus?

The 2011 study found some benefits in overall quality of life related to tinnitus severity for the group that had acupuncture treatments, possibly due to stress reduction.

How does stress relate to tinnitus according to the video?

Stress is known to exacerbate tinnitus or make it worse, and can even lead to stress-induced tinnitus. Reducing stress can improve tinnitus symptoms.

What is the recommended approach for treating tinnitus according to Dr. Thompson?

Dr. Thompson recommends starting with evidence and science-based treatments like sound therapy and one-on-one coaching, and considering holistic health interventions like acupuncture as supplementary.

What are the services provided by Treble Health according to the video?

Treble Health provides medical devices and services for tinnitus management, including sound therapy treatment devices and coaching around concentration, attention, stress, anxiety, and sleep difficulties.

How can viewers get in touch with Treble Health for more information or questions?

Viewers can visit the website treblehealth.com to learn more about Treble Health's medical devices and services, or call them directly from the website.

Outlines

00:00

👨‍⚕️ Dr. Ben Thompson on Acupuncture for Tinnitus

Dr. Ben Thompson, an audiologist with a residency at UCSF and founder of an online telehealth company, introduces the topic of whether acupuncture can help manage tinnitus. He explains acupuncture as a traditional Chinese medicine practice involving the insertion of needles at specific body points to rebalance energy flow, known as 'chi'. Thompson shares his personal experience with acupuncture for holistic health benefits, finding it relaxing and meditative. Despite his non-expertise in acupuncture, he discusses the mixed research findings, noting the lack of strong scientific support for its use in tinnitus treatment. However, he mentions a 2011 study suggesting potential benefits in reducing stress, which could indirectly improve tinnitus. Thompson emphasizes the importance of starting with evidence-based treatments and considering holistic approaches like acupuncture as supplementary options.

05:01

🎧 Traditional Audiology Management vs. Acupuncture

In the second paragraph, Dr. Thompson discusses the impact of severe tinnitus on individuals' lives and encourages trying all possible treatments, starting with evidence-based options like those provided by Treble Health. He outlines traditional audiology management, which includes sound therapy devices and one-on-one coaching for stress, anxiety, and sleep issues. Thompson suggests this approach as more proven and effective compared to acupuncture, which lacks convincing scientific evidence. He advises using acupuncture as a supplementary treatment rather than a primary one. The video concludes with Thompson inviting viewers to visit Treble Health's website for more information on medical devices and services, and he encourages engagement with the video through likes, subscriptions, and shares.

Keywords

💡Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to restore balance and alleviate various health conditions. In the context of the video, Dr. Ben Thompson discusses the potential use of acupuncture for tinnitus management, noting that while it is not his area of expertise, some research suggests it might help with stress reduction, which could indirectly benefit tinnitus sufferers. The video mentions that acupuncture is performed by licensed practitioners and is becoming more mainstream in healthcare.

💡Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a condition characterized by ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in the ears, which can be constant or intermittent. It is a common issue that can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. The video is focused on exploring different treatment options for tinnitus, including the role of acupuncture. Dr. Thompson, an audiologist, discusses his experience with tinnitus patients and the various approaches to managing the condition.

💡Telehealth

Telehealth refers to the use of digital information and communication technologies to access health care services remotely. Dr. Thompson mentions that he started an online telehealth company after completing his residency, which now serves hundreds of tinnitus patients monthly. This indicates a shift towards more accessible and convenient healthcare services for patients, including those suffering from tinnitus.

💡Chi

In traditional Chinese medicine, 'chi' or 'qi' refers to the vital life force or energy that flows through the body along specific pathways known as meridians. Acupuncture aims to rebalance this energy to promote health and healing. The video script explains that the needles used in acupuncture are inserted at specific locations to stimulate the central nervous system and restore the flow of chi, which is believed to help with various health issues, including potentially tinnitus.

💡Meridians

Meridians are the pathways through which the life force energy, or 'chi,' is believed to flow in traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture points are located along these meridians, and the video explains that stimulating these points with needles can help restore balance to the body's energy flow, which may contribute to alleviating conditions like tinnitus.

💡Stress

Stress is a common factor that can exacerbate tinnitus or even cause it, as mentioned in the video. Dr. Thompson discusses how stress can spike tinnitus symptoms and how reducing stress through various means, including potentially acupuncture, can improve the condition. The video highlights the importance of considering stress management as part of a holistic approach to tinnitus treatment.

💡Holistic Health

Holistic health is an approach to healthcare that considers the whole person, including physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and environmental aspects. The video suggests that acupuncture might be considered as part of a holistic health plan for managing tinnitus, alongside other stress reduction techniques and traditional medical treatments.

💡Evidence-based

Evidence-based practices refer to healthcare interventions that are supported by scientific research and data. Dr. Thompson emphasizes the importance of starting with evidence-based treatments for tinnitus, such as those offered by Treble Health, before considering less scientifically proven methods like acupuncture.

💡Treble Health

Treble Health is the online telehealth company founded by Dr. Thompson, which specializes in tinnitus management. The video mentions Treble Health as a resource for tinnitus patients, offering medical devices and services to help manage the condition. The company represents an example of how telehealth can provide specialized care for individuals with specific health concerns.

💡Audiology

Audiology is the study of hearing, balance, and related disorders, and the video features Dr. Thompson, an audiologist, discussing tinnitus. Audiology management of tinnitus typically involves sound therapy and one-on-one coaching to address the various challenges faced by individuals with the condition. The video contrasts this traditional approach with alternative treatments like acupuncture.

Highlights

Acupuncture may help reduce tinnitus, but its effectiveness is not scientifically proven.

Dr. Ben Thompson, an audiologist, discusses acupuncture's potential role in tinnitus management.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice becoming more mainstream.

Needles are inserted at specific body locations to rebalance energy flow, or 'chi'.

Dr. Thompson shares his personal experience with acupuncture for holistic health benefits.

Acupuncture's relaxing nature is compared to meditation, which may aid in stress reduction.

Research on acupuncture for tinnitus is mixed, with no strong scientific support found.

A 2011 study suggested acupuncture might improve quality of life by reducing stress.

Stress is known to exacerbate tinnitus, potentially leading to stress-induced tinnitus.

Dr. Thompson's personal tinnitus experience linked to stress is shared as an example.

Traditional audiology management is recommended over acupuncture for tinnitus treatment.

Sound therapy and one-on-one coaching are evidence-based treatments for tinnitus.

Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with evidence-based treatments as a supplementary approach.

Treble Health offers medical devices and services for tinnitus management.

Dr. Thompson encourages viewers to explore both evidence-based and holistic health interventions for tinnitus.

The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to like, subscribe, and share for more helpful content.

Transcripts

- Are you wondering whether acupuncture, needles

in targeted areas on the body

or the face can help reduce tinnitus?

Maybe someone has recommended you to try this.

My name is Dr. Ben Thompson.

I'm an audiologist.

I completed an audiology residency

at a major hospital in San Francisco, California, UCSF,

and a few years later

I decided to start an online telehealth company.

Now today, we have 12 employees,

and we see hundreds of tinnitus patients every month.

We're a hundred percent focused on tinnitus

also pronounced tinnitus,

and in this video,

I will give some results, research

and a summary on how acupuncture could be used

in your tinnitus management plan.

And I will talk about

if the science supports the condition, other considerations,

and really what works for tinnitus, if not acupuncture.

So if you're new to this channel, please like this video

because it helps YouTube spread the information to others.

Also, subscribe by finding that subscribe button.

It matters a lot to me personally.

Thank you so much.

What is acupuncture?

Well, it's a form of traditional Chinese medicine,

and it's becoming more common in mainstream healthcare.

I'm not an expert in acupuncture,

but I will comment on some of the research

that our team has found.

In acupuncture, there are needles that are inserted

at specific locations

along the body to rebalance the flow of energy

which in Chinese medicine they call the chi.

So that flow of energy is moving throughout certain pathways

along the body that they call meridians.

Those needles stimulate parts

of the central nervous system, and the theory here is

that when you have a disease or pathology,

some of that can be linked

to a disruption of that flow of energy in your body.

So this can be used for managing stress, overall wellbeing

or pain management, and it would be performed

by a licensed practitioner in the state that you live in.

I've personally had acupuncture just to try it

not necessarily for my tinnitus

but more for the holistic health benefits.

I only went once.

It was fine.

It was enjoyable.

It was a little different to have the needles in my body,

but I found it to be very relaxing like a meditation

because while you're in the session,

you typically have your eyes closed,

and you're just focused on your breath and relaxing.

So if that's the only benefit of the practice,

then it's still good and it can still help us reduce stress

and have a healthy lifestyle.

But if there also are

some traditional Chinese medicine benefits,

then that's even better.

So can acupuncture help tinnitus?

The research on this subject is pretty mixed.

We looked up a few different articles.

We did not find anything that was supporting acupuncture

for tinnitus from a scientific perspective.

So overall, we're not seeing acupuncture

as a significant treatment for tinnitus.

However, stick around because we do have

some other treatments that work quite well.

This is a short break from today's video to

announce the Tinnitus Guide by Treble Health.

Do you want to learn

about the newest tinnitus treatments and management tips?

Click the link in the description

of this video to get your free copy

of the Tinnitus Guide by Treble Health.

(soft music)

There was a 2011 study that did find some benefits

to overall quality of life related to tinnitus severity

for the group that had acupuncture treatments.

So the authors of that study

thought that the possible reason was

because when you're reducing stress,

then your tinnitus can improve.

So part of stress can be stress related

or psychologically related,

and when we improve that kind of response,

that kind of daily living,

then the tinnitus itself can get better.

So the researchers are looking at that as a possible option

for those who are looking for a holistic health plan

for their tinnitus to potentially consider things

like acupuncture or other stress reduction techniques.

Let's talk about acupuncture and stress.

Stress is a known factor to exacerbate tinnitus

or make it worse, and this can even lead

to what's considered stress-induced tinnitus.

Either my tinnitus spiked,

it got louder because of stress,

or the stress maybe was the cause or part of the cause

with tinnitus.

The most common example of this is

I have a mild high pitch hearing loss,

but out of nowhere, I developed tinnitus.

And the months leading up to tinnitus,

they were very stressful in my life.

I go to the ENT doctor, they measure the hearing loss,

and they say, "Oh, you have a mild hearing loss.

Your tinnitis is because of the hearing loss."

Well, I think that they're missing the point here

that the tinnitus is mainly because of the stress,

but it's also because of the hearing loss

even if it's a mild hearing loss.

So that's an example of how stress

and tinnitus can overlap, and that's something

that we see quite often at treblehealth.com.

The patients who work with us for our medical devices,

for our treatments, they often have a history

of stress that was significant leading up to tinnitus.

When we reduce stress, we can release endorphins,

stimulate the nerves in a positive way

and that helps you relax.

Now, let's talk about acupuncture

versus traditional audiological

or audiology management of tinnitus.

Severe tinnitus can impact many aspect

of an individual's life.

There's no doubt.

We see that every day.

If you have moderate to severe tinnitus,

I want you to try everything that can help.

So start with the things

that are evidence and science based,

like speaking to a member of our team,

looking at what we provide at Treble Health.

That's going to be a great start

and provide most of the tools that are out there right now.

There are other complimentary things

like relaxation, meditation, holistic health

potential medical consultation, depending on the cause

of your tinnitus, that can also really help your tinnitus.

So traditional audiology management would use

sound therapy treatment devices on the ears

that are worn for a period of time

and then stopped to be used after that

and as well as one-on-one coaching

around the concentration, attention, stress, anxiety

and sleep difficulties that you may be having.

That's what we see as working for most individuals.

So I want you to start with that treatment first,

and I'd rather you have that as your primary treatment

than using acupuncture

because the audiology management treatment is

just more proven.

There's more science to back it up.

There's more case studies, success stories to back that up.

The acupuncture method,

it can be helpful, as we've discussed,

but it's not a convincing degree of evidence that we see

so we don't recommend it as a primary tool.

However, both interventions can be used in tandem.

So if you're curious about both, then I would try both

and I would lean on the more

evidence-based scientific approach

that we offer at Treble Health

and consider the holistic health interventions

which are less scientifically proven

as a good supplementary piece.

Thank you for watching this video.

If you have any questions, please go to our website

treblehealth.com and learn more

about the medical devices and the services that we provide.

If you have any questions,

you can also call us off of our website.

Thank you for watching this video.

My name is Dr. Ben Thompson.

Remember to like, subscribe,

share this video because I know it's helpful.

And thanks for being here.

I'll see you on another video on our YouTube channel.

Bye-bye.

Thank you for watching today's video with Treble Health.

Check out our next video by clicking the button

on this screen or another recommended video.

And if you're not already,

make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Thanks so much.

See you on the next video.