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Tinnitus: The Secret Behind the Ringing in Your Ears
Blog January 19, 2025

Tinnitus: The Secret Behind the Ringing in Your Ears

Dr. Yeonseung Choe
Dr. Yeonseung Choe
Chief Director

Hello everyone. Today, I'd like to talk about 'tinnitus,' a condition that subtly creeps into our lives and causes discomfort.

Tinnitus refers to the phenomenon of hearing sounds in the ear that are not actual external sounds. It's like hearing wind whistling, water flowing, or sometimes a buzzing sound inside your ear.

"When I first heard that sound, I thought, 'What is this?'"

Many people, when they first experience tinnitus, often feel confused, thinking, 'What is this? Why do I keep hearing this sound?' Especially on quiet nights, when trying to sleep, the sound can become even louder, disrupting their sleep.

Tinnitus: What Are Its Causes?

The causes of tinnitus are varied. Various health issues such as hearing loss, ear damage, stress, and high blood pressure can be contributing factors. Sometimes, it occurs without a clear cause, which can be even more frustrating for those experiencing it.

Tinnitus from a Traditional Korean Medicine Perspective: A Fundamental Approach

In Traditional Korean Medicine, tinnitus is viewed not merely as an ear problem but as being connected to the body's overall balance. Imbalances in 'Qi (氣)' and 'Xue (血)' within the body, as well as impaired organ function, can be considered causes of tinnitus. In particular, it is believed to have a deep connection with kidney function.

How Is Treatment Administered?

Traditional Korean Medicine treatment for tinnitus focuses on restoring the body's balance. Methods primarily involve improving the flow of Qi and Xue within the body and strengthening kidney function through herbal medicine. Additionally, acupuncture and moxibustion are used to regulate the flow of meridians related to the ear.

Daily Management Tips

For those experiencing tinnitus, it's crucial to reduce stress and maintain a regular lifestyle. In particular, getting enough rest and maintaining healthy eating habits are recommended. Furthermore, avoiding noisy environments and protecting your ears are also important.

Living with Tinnitus: Finding Peace Within

Experiencing tinnitus is certainly not easy. However, through this process, you may find yourself listening more closely to the signals from your body and mind, and learning how to take care of your health. For those living with tinnitus, this journey can become a valuable time to achieve harmony with oneself.

Finally, a Message to You All

If you are struggling with tinnitus, please don't try to manage everything on your own. Our bodies and minds are astonishingly interconnected. There are always people ready to help you. Let's walk this path together; we will be with you for your healthy recovery.

#SongdoTinnitus

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Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Dr. Yeonseung Choe Chief Director

I have met many patients who came after visiting multiple medical institutions and departments for persistent or recurrent conditions. Symptoms normally handled by different specialties—such as abdominal pain, headaches, palpitations, dizziness, and insomnia—may overlap in one person. Sometimes there is no clear improvement despite taking medication for each symptom, and being unwell gradually becomes part of daily life. In these cases, I look beyond individual diagnoses and examine how the symptoms connect and change together. Asking only about the most uncomfortable symptom today does not reveal the full course. I look at when the body first began to change and what happened after illness, surgery, childbirth, or starting and stopping medication. I also review changes in weight, diet, and sleep, then trace which symptoms improved with previous treatment and which remained. Test results, diagnoses, and the course of previous treatment are important for understanding the current condition. Clinical research in modern Korean medicine, physiological and pathological research in modern medicine, and observations recorded in classical Korean medicine texts offer different perspectives on the same body. Rather than fitting a patient into one perspective, I consider what each can and cannot explain and look for clues that connect symptoms and treatment histories that were previously considered separately.

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