Name of treatment |
Melatonin |
|
Type of treatment |
Dietary supplement. |
|
Claims for treatment |
Melatonin has been suggested as a treatment for tinnitus because of its effects on sleep and because of its vasoactive/antioxidant properties. |
|
How treatment is delivered |
Orally, as a tablet. |
|
Potential negative consequences |
Generally considered safe however it should not be taken by people with certain medical conditions and is not compatible with certain other medicines.[1] |
Evidence offered: |
|
|
Papers available |
5 (as listed in the systematic review[2]) |
|
Conclusions drawn |
Because of biases in the evidence base, it cannot be said whether melatonin is effective for tinnitus or not.2 Melatonin seems to improve sleep disturbance linked to tinnitus.[3] |
|
Quality of evidence[4] |
A |
|
Does the BTA recommend this treatment? |
No. Several guidelines recommend AGAINST taking this supplement.[5] [6] |
|
BTA opinion on this treatment: |
The evidence levels for melatonin supplementation treating tinnitus are low. Melatonin should only be obtained via prescription and taken under the supervision of a medical professional. “Dietary supplements should not be recommended to treat tinnitus, but could have a positive outcome on tinnitus reactions in some people” [3] |
|
Would the BTA support further studies into this treatment? |
Yes, if high quality |
|
Verdict: Safety – is this treatment harmful? |
|
|
Verdict: Efficacy – does this treatment work? |
|
|
Comments |
Melatonin is only available on prescription in the UK and licensed only for treating insomnia in the over 55s.[1] |
Limited potential for harmFor further information
The BTA Tinnitus Support Team can answer your questions on any tinnitus related topics:
Telephone: 0800 018 0527
Web chat: – click on the icon
Email: [email protected]
Text/SMS: 07537 416841
We also offer a free tinnitus e-learning programme, Take on Tinnitus.
Download this information
This information is in PDF format.
Feedback
We welcome feedback on all our information. You can pass your comments to our Communications Team:
Telephone: 0114 250 9933
Email: [email protected]
or by writing to us at the address below.
References
[1] NHS. Melatonin for sleep problems. Available from https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/melatonin/ [accessed 25 July 2022]
[2] Miroddi M, Bruno R, Galletti F, Calapai F, Navarra M, Gangemi S, Calapai G. Clinical pharmacology of melatonin in the treatment of tinnitus: a review. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2015 Mar;71(3):263-70. doi: 10.1007/s00228-015-1805-3. Epub 2015 Jan 20.
[3] Coelho C, Tyler R, Ji H, Rojas-Roncancio E, Witt S, Tao P, Jun HJ, Wang TC, Hansen MR, Gantz BJ. Survey on the Effectiveness of Dietary Supplements to Treat Tinnitus. American Journal of Audiology, 2016: 25(3): 184-205
[4] A = Systematic review/meta analysis. B = Randomised control studies. C = Cohort studies. D = Case control studies. E = case studies/reports. +/- to be used to indicate quality within bands
[5] Coelho C, Tyler R, Ji H, Rojas-Roncancio E, Witt S, Tao P, Jun HJ, Wang TC, Hansen MR, Gantz BJ. (2016) Survey on the Effectiveness of Dietary Supplements to Treat Tinnitus. American Journal of Audiology. 25(3): 184-205
[6] Tunkel DE, Bauer CA, Sun GH, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Tinnitus. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2014;151(2_suppl): S1-S40. doi:10.1177/0194599814545325
Author: Nic Wray
Version 2.0
Updated: 25 July 2022
To be reviewed: July 2025
Photo: Ged Carroll. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
