Dysbiosis and Tinnitus: What’s The Connection?

by Eric Bakker N.D.

Stool testing has shown some remarkable things in my patients with tinnitus. Patterns I’ve noticed include lack of beneficial bacteria, nasty bacteria like Citrobacter, multiple Candida strains, and in some cases, parasites. I’ve also seen bowel inflammation in my tinnitus clients.

I’m almost certain there’s a link between tinnitus and Candida, low levels of beneficial bacteria, harmful bacteria, or parasites.

There’s a significant connection between the small intestine and different parts of the brain.

We know this through the vagus nerve, a major nerve that connects parts of the brain to smaller nerves. The auricular nerve that affects the ear connects to the vagus nerve, which, in turn, is connected to the gut.

Sometimes I think of it this way: Your digestion isn’t working well, you’re having some brain-based problems, and the two systems connect via some “telephone” cable (i.e., nerves). Maybe there’s something wrong with the telephone cable or the connection on either end. It makes sense to me.

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In my opinion, “common sense is not common today.” We tend to think that tinnitus is some sort of problem confined to the head. But a fascinating fact is that many people with tinnitus have gut issues. If you have tinnitus and you’ve got digestive problems like burping, bloating, gas, flatulence, constipation, or diarrhea, my recommendation is to get your gut checked out. I would make the same recommendation if you’ve been on long-term medications or had repeated courses of antibiotics, especially tetracycline. A comprehensive stool analysis might be very helpful in sorting out the cause of your tinnitus.

If in doubt, just treat yourself for Candida or harmful bacteria. A good probiotic-enzyme formula might also be helpful. See what happens. The way I look at it, you’ve got nothing to lose.

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About Eric Bakker N.D.

Eric Bakker ND has completed almost ten years of study and has almost almost 25 years of clinical experience in natural and integrative forms of medicine, and has pursued continuous post-graduate study in Australia, America, India as well as in New Zealand.

Eric is the past Vice President of the NZ Natural Medicine Association and is currently on their editorial advisory board.