Bhramari Pranayama and Alternative Treatments of Tinnitus: In Pursuit of the Cure

Abstract

TINNITUS a symptom which can have a range of adverse effects for a significant number of people with the result of detrimental impacts on their quality of life. However, tinnitus remains poorly understood and there is no uniformly effective therapy. This chapter is intended to introduce a novel approach to the management of tinnitus using Bhramari Pranayama (BP). Minimal information on alternative clinical management is provided. The chapter addresses treatment options for patients with tinnitus including pharmachological treatment, surgery, electrical stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, masking therapy, hearing aids, ultra high frequency vibration therapy, Neuromonics tinnitus treatment, sound stimulation therapy during sleep, tinnitus retraining therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, virtual reality therapy, biofeedback therapy, neurofeedback therapy, as well as research leading to tinnitus management and recommendations for future research. Although there is no cure for tinnitus, research from around the world probes tinnitus's potential therapies. The intensive work in applying the principles of Bhramari Pranayama is explaining successful tinnitus management (Pandey et al., 2010). The primary goal of this chapter is to provide a therapeutic approach (Bhramari Pranayama) for tinnitus sufferers by helping them overcome the loudness of tinnitus, the psychosocial (inability to participate in leisure activity and work, difficulty in concentration, depression) and also the physical (sleep disturbance, muscle tension) consequences of tinnitus. It is important to note that Bhramari Pranayama can be used in patients with a high degree of severity of tinnitus whereas other therapeutic approaches like masking therapy or sound therapy may not be appropriate in the same conditions. The application of the Bhramari Pranayama concept helps the sufferer to design and implement a program to manage their tinnitus and associated difficulties. The concepts of the limbic system and neural plasticity are also addressed, taking into consideration their association with Bhramari Pranayama. There are three main components of tinnitus which interact with and influence each other. The first being the acoustic component, which is perceived most commonly as an undesirable continuous, high pitched ringing sound. The second aspect of tinnitus is the attentional component, and this refers to the degree to which the afflicted person listens to or