Yoga is a popular form of exercise these days. In fact, a 2022 study found that 16.9% of adults practiced yoga (Centers for Disease Control, 2024).[1] Not only is yoga a gentle way to meet your daily exercise requirements, but some studies suggest the practice may also help you manage your tinnitus.
The Studies
A 2023 study[2] found psycho-social stress can contribute to the development or worsening of tinnitus with the same probability as on-the-job noise exposure. Because of the stress-tinnitus connection, the stress relief yoga offers may also bring tinnitus relief.
One 2018 study[3] followed 12 tinnitus patients through a three-month yoga practice. The study found that yoga could reduce the severity or frequency of stress-related tinnitus. A literature review in 2023[4] supported those results. Three out of five of the studies the review examined found reductions in tinnitus severity, irritability, anxiety and stress following a consistent yoga practice.
Combining yoga with other tinnitus management strategies is likely to yield better results than yoga alone.
Other Tinnitus Management Strategies
There are a few different strategies you can combine to reduce the impact of tinnitus on your life. Sound masking is one popular option that covers the internal ringing with a soothing external noise. You can use a noise machine, hearing aids or even a fan to practice sound masking.
Our specialists may also recommend tinnitus retraining therapy, which combines personalized sound masking with counseling to reduce the impact of the ringing. For more information or to schedule a tinnitus consultation, contact Midwest ENT Centre today.
[1] Elgaddal, N., & Weeks, J. D. (20247). Yoga among adults age 18 and older: United States, 2022 (NCHS Data Brief No. 501). National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db501.htm
[2] Patil, J. D., Alrashid, M. A., Eltabbakh, A., & Fredericks, S. (2023). The association between stress, emotional states, and tinnitus: a mini-review. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 15, 1131979. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2023.1131979
[3] Köksoy, S., Eti, C. M., Karataş, M., & Vayisoglu, Y. (2018). The Effects of Yoga in Patients Suffering from Subjective Tinnitus. International archives of otorhinolaryngology, 22(1), 9–13. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1601415
[4] Gunjawate, D. R., & Ravi, R. (2021). Effect of yoga and meditation on tinnitus: a systematic review. The Journal of laryngology and otology, 135(4), 284–287. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022215121000566