What if you could turn down the volume of that persistent ringing in your ears? If you're reading this, you've likely already tried various approaches to managing the intrusive noise or numbers of noises called Tinnitus. Perhaps you've visited audiologists, tried sound therapy, or experimented with different supplements. Some days might feel better than others, but that underlying sound remains—a constant companion you never invited into your life.
The relatively new understanding of Tinnitus tells us that it's not just about our ears—it's about how our brain processes and responds to signals from our auditory system.[^1] While some people seem to adapt to Tinnitus quickly, others find it profoundly impacts their daily life. Research shows that the difference often lies not in the intensity of the sound itself, but in how our nervous system processes and responds to it.[^2]
An exciting development in Tinnitus management is auricular acupressure. This gentle but powerful therapy works by stimulating specific points on the ear that connect directly to our vagus nerve—often called the body's "superintendent" of relaxation and healing.[^3] Research examining non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation has shown promising results in reducing tinnitus-related distress by helping to balance the nervous system.[^4]
The outer ear represents a unique access point for this therapy. Recent research has identified specific areas of the ear where branches of the vagus nerve are most accessible, making it an ideal location for gentle, non-invasive stimulation.[^5] When we apply pressure to these carefully mapped points, we're engaging with a sophisticated network of neural connections that can influence how our brain processes sensory information.[^6]
Studies comparing different approaches to auricular therapy have shown that sustained, gentle pressure can be an effective method for managing tinnitus symptoms.[^7] This finding is particularly exciting because it means we can offer a convenient, at-home approach to tinnitus management that doesn't require visiting a clinic.
When it comes to managing tinnitus, timing and consistency matter. Research has demonstrated that regular stimulation of the vagus nerve through auricular therapy can help create positive changes in how the nervous system processes sound.[^8] This is why we've developed our approach to provide consistent, gentle stimulation over time.
The beauty of using acupressure beads rather than needles lies in their simplicity and accessibility. You can apply them at home, they're comfortable to wear, and they work continuously throughout the day. This sustained, gentle pressure provides ongoing support to your nervous system, helping to create an environment where positive change becomes possible.
Here's what makes our AcuCalm at Home service unique: we combine the physical therapy of ear acupressure with powerful relaxation techniques using a library of imagery audio you carry around with you in your phone to use as often as you like.
Many people have found hypnotherapy or imagery audio have helped their Tinnitus, but it’s likely that regular treatments are either not convenient or affordable for many people. The imagery audio in AcuCalm at Home supports a wide range of issues as well as more general de-stress guided relaxation. The beads provide gentle, consistent stimulation to key points, while the guided imagery sessions help train your brain to process signals differently. This combination creates a powerful therapeutic effect that can help reshape your relationship with tinnitus.
Sharon, one of our clients who uses auricular therapy for her tinnitus, shares her experience: "Ear acupuncture has really helped with my tinnitus. It hasn't gone but I just don't hear it anymore. I can always tell when I'm due a session as it starts to make itself heard again. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who suffers with tinnitus."
Sharon's experience highlights an important point about tinnitus management—while the sound might not completely disappear, our perception of it and its impact on our daily life can dramatically change. This is exactly the kind of transformation we aim to support with AcuCalm at Home titanium acupressure ear beads you place yourself, under guidance from a qualified auricular therapist and Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist
AcuCalm at Home offers a number of different memberships, and no matter which one you choose, all of them include bead placement charts for Tinnitus sufferers as well as imagery audio specifically to help. For just £18.99 per month, you receive:
- Professional-grade titanium ear beads on transparent stickers you place yourself
- Enough beads for 20 days of active treatment each month
- Complete audio library featuring specialised guided imagery sessions
- Expert guidance on bead placement and usage
- Regular updates to the audio library with fresh content
It's a subscription service, intentionally priced to make it affordable for most people as a regular support to health and wellness. You are free to cancel at any time, although we'd suggest you are open to working with these powerful therapeutic tools for at least 3 months. In reality, subscribing for 3 months is still less than the cost of just one personal acupuncture treatment.
Emily says, “Using acupuncture to reduce tension in the points in my ear has really helped my experience with stress-induced tinnitus flares and has helped make daily background tinnitus more bearable”.
To begin your journey with AcuCalm at Home, visit our website www.heartandheadspace.com where there are videos to guide you through.
Your path to Tinnitus relief starts here.
References
[^1]: Shore, S. E., Roberts, L. E., & Langguth, B. (2016). Maladaptive plasticity in tinnitus—triggers, mechanisms and treatment. Nature Reviews Neurology, 12(3), 150-160.
[^2]: Searchfield, G. D., Durai, M., & Linford, T. (2017). A state-of-the-art review: personalization of tinnitus sound therapy. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1599.
[^3]: Yakunina, N., Kim, S. S., & Nam, E. C. (2017). Optimization of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation using functional MRI. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface, 20(3), 290-300.
[^4]: Ylikoski, J., Lehtimäki, J., Pirvola, U., Mäkitie, A., Aarnisalo, A., Hyvärinen, P., & Ylikoski, M. (2017). Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation reduces sympathetic preponderance in patients with tinnitus. Acta Oto-laryngologica, 137(4), 426-431.
[^5]: Badran, B. W., Brown, J. C., Dowdle, L. T., Mithoefer, O. J., LaBate, N. T., Coatsworth, J., ... & Jenkins, D. D. (2018). Tragus or cymba conchae? Investigating the anatomical foundation of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). Brain Stimulation, 11(4), 947-948.
[^6]: Rangon, C. M. (2018). Auricular neuromodulation: the emerging concept beyond the stimulation of vagus and trigeminal nerves. Medicines, 5(1), 10.
[^7]: Kim, B. H., Kim, K., & Nam, H. J. (2017). A comparative study on the effects of systemic manual acupuncture, periauricular electroacupuncture, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on tinnitus: a randomized controlled trial. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 274(5), 2389-2400.
[^8]: Kreuzer, P. M., Landgrebe, M., Resch, M., Husser, O., Schecklmann, M., Geisreiter, F., ... & Langguth, B. (2014). Feasibility, safety and efficacy of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in chronic tinnitus: an open pilot study. Brain Stimulation, 7(5), 740-747.
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