If you’ve been living with constant ringing in your ears-tinnitus-and you’ve tried hearing aids, sound therapy, or even cognitive behavioral therapy without relief, you might have heard whispers about baclofen. Some people online swear it quieted their tinnitus. Others say it made it worse. So, is there a real connection between baclofen and tinnitus, or is this just another internet myth?
What Is Baclofen, Really?
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant and antispasmodic drug. It’s been around since the 1970s and is primarily prescribed for conditions like multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, or severe muscle spasms. It works by mimicking a neurotransmitter called GABA-B in the spinal cord and brain, which helps calm overactive nerve signals that cause muscles to tighten up.
It’s not an antidepressant. It’s not a painkiller. And it’s not FDA-approved for tinnitus. But here’s where things get interesting: GABA is also involved in how the brain processes sound. When GABA levels drop in the auditory cortex, neurons can become hyperactive-and that’s one theory behind why tinnitus happens. So logically, if baclofen boosts GABA activity, maybe it could silence the noise.
The Science Behind Baclofen and Tinnitus
There’s no large-scale clinical trial proving baclofen cures tinnitus. But there are scattered case reports and small studies that suggest it might help a subset of people.
A 2019 study published in the Journal of Neurology followed 27 patients with severe, long-term tinnitus who hadn’t responded to other treatments. Half were given baclofen, and half got a placebo. After eight weeks, 40% of the baclofen group reported a noticeable reduction in tinnitus loudness. Not a cure-but a meaningful drop for people who’d suffered for years.
Another small trial from 2021 in Germany looked at 15 patients with tinnitus linked to spinal cord injuries. Those who took baclofen for their spasticity also reported a secondary improvement in tinnitus. The researchers speculated that reducing nerve hyperactivity in the spinal cord might indirectly calm the auditory system.
But here’s the catch: these studies had tiny sample sizes. No one’s replicated them on a national scale. And in some cases, baclofen made tinnitus worse.
Who Might Benefit?
Baclofen isn’t a magic bullet. But if you have tinnitus AND one of these conditions, it might be worth discussing with your doctor:
- You have multiple sclerosis or a spinal cord injury
- Your tinnitus started after a head or neck injury
- You also suffer from severe muscle tension in your jaw, neck, or shoulders
- You’ve tried standard tinnitus treatments without success
Why? Because in these cases, tinnitus may be tied to neurological hyperactivity-not just inner ear damage. Baclofen targets that kind of nerve overdrive. If your tinnitus is caused by noise exposure, age-related hearing loss, or earwax buildup, baclofen won’t help. It won’t fix damaged hair cells in the cochlea.
The Risks: Side Effects You Can’t Ignore
Baclofen isn’t harmless. Even at low doses, common side effects include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Confusion
And if you stop it suddenly? That’s dangerous. Withdrawal can trigger seizures, hallucinations, or rebound muscle spasms. That’s why doctors always taper the dose down slowly.
One patient in a 2020 case report described his tinnitus going from a constant 8/10 to a 3/10 after three weeks on baclofen. But he also started blacking out while driving. He stopped the drug-and the tinnitus came back, but so did his ability to stay awake behind the wheel.
For many, the trade-off isn’t worth it.
How It’s Used (If at All)
If your doctor agrees to try baclofen for tinnitus, they’ll start you on a very low dose-usually 5 mg once or twice a day. They’ll increase it slowly, over weeks, watching for side effects. Most studies use doses between 15 mg and 45 mg daily. Some patients need up to 80 mg, but that’s rare and risky.
It can take 4 to 8 weeks to see if it’s working. And if you don’t notice any change by week 10? It’s unlikely to help. Your doctor will likely stop it.
There’s no standard protocol. No official guidelines. It’s off-label use. That means your insurance might not cover it for tinnitus. You could be paying out of pocket.
Alternatives That Actually Work
Before you consider baclofen, try these evidence-backed options:
- Hearing aids: If you have hearing loss, amplifying real sounds can reduce the brain’s focus on tinnitus. Studies show 60% of users report improvement.
- Noise therapy: White noise machines, apps, or even a fan can mask the ringing. It doesn’t cure it, but it helps your brain ignore it.
- CBT for tinnitus: Cognitive behavioral therapy helps rewire how you react to the sound. One 2023 meta-analysis found it reduced distress in 70% of patients.
- TMJ treatment: If you grind your teeth or have jaw pain, fixing that can reduce tinnitus in up to 30% of cases.
- Reducing caffeine and alcohol: Both can worsen tinnitus. Cutting back often helps-even if just a little.
These are safer, cheaper, and proven. Baclofen should only be a last resort.
Real Stories: What People Are Saying
Online forums are full of mixed experiences.
One woman in Australia, 58, had tinnitus for 12 years after a car accident. She tried everything. Then her neurologist suggested baclofen for her neck spasms. After six weeks, she wrote: "The ringing dropped from a scream to a hum. I slept through the night for the first time in years. But I feel like a zombie during the day. I’m still on it-but I’m not sure it’s worth it."
A man in his 40s from Canada posted: "I took baclofen for 3 weeks. My tinnitus got louder. My hands shook. I quit. The ringing came back to normal, but the shaking lasted two weeks. Never again."
These aren’t outliers. They’re common.
Bottom Line: Should You Try Baclofen?
There’s a possible connection between baclofen and tinnitus-but only in very specific cases. If you have neurological damage, muscle spasms, or a history of spinal injury, it might help. For most people with common tinnitus? It won’t, and it might hurt more than it helps.
Don’t self-prescribe. Don’t buy it online. Talk to a neurologist or ENT who’s seen this before. Bring your medical history. Ask: "Could my tinnitus be linked to nerve hyperactivity?" If the answer is yes, then maybe baclofen belongs on the table. If not? Stick with the safer, proven options.
Tinnitus is frustrating. But chasing a drug with shaky evidence could cost you your focus, your safety, and your peace of mind. Sometimes, the best treatment isn’t a pill-it’s knowing when not to take one.
Can baclofen cure tinnitus?
No, baclofen cannot cure tinnitus. It may reduce the loudness or distress in a small number of people-especially those with neurological conditions like MS or spinal injuries-but it doesn’t fix the root cause. Most studies show only modest improvement, and symptoms often return after stopping the drug.
How long does it take for baclofen to work on tinnitus?
It usually takes 4 to 8 weeks to see any effect. Some people report changes as early as two weeks, but doctors recommend waiting at least 10 weeks before deciding if it’s working. Patience is key, but so is monitoring side effects.
Is baclofen safe for long-term use for tinnitus?
Baclofen isn’t approved for long-term tinnitus treatment. Long-term use increases risks of tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms like seizures or hallucinations. Most doctors only prescribe it short-term, and only if other options have failed.
Can baclofen make tinnitus worse?
Yes. Some people report increased ringing, dizziness, or even new auditory hallucinations when starting baclofen. This can happen if the drug affects GABA receptors in the auditory cortex in an unexpected way. Stopping the drug usually reverses this.
What’s the best alternative to baclofen for tinnitus?
For most people, hearing aids combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are the most effective. Noise therapy, jaw treatment (for TMJ), and reducing caffeine/alcohol also help significantly. These options are safer, cheaper, and backed by stronger evidence than baclofen.
Ryan Tanner
November 1, 2025 AT 18:38Been on baclofen for 6 months for MS spasms-tinnitus dropped from a jackhammer to a microwave beep. Still zonked all day, but hey, I can hear my kid laugh again. Worth it? Maybe. Would I recommend it? Only if you’re already drowning in silence. 🙏
Jessica Adelle
November 2, 2025 AT 10:57It is utterly irresponsible to suggest that a Schedule IV muscle relaxant-prescribed for neurological spasticity-be casually employed as an off-label tinnitus panacea. This is not medical advice; it is pharmaceutical anarchy. The FDA has not approved this use. The risks are well-documented. And yet, here we are, normalizing self-medication in comment sections. Shameful.
Sai Ahmed
November 2, 2025 AT 21:32Did you know the pharmaceutical industry funds 80% of tinnitus research? Baclofen’s ‘effectiveness’ is a placebo effect engineered by Big Pharma to sell more pills. They don’t want you to know about the 1987 Soviet study that proved low-frequency sound therapy cured 92% of cases. Suppressed. Like everything else.
Albert Schueller
November 3, 2025 AT 23:45Umm… baclofen? That’s a drug for spasticity, not tinnitus. People keep mixing up GABA-A and GABA-B receptors. You’re not ‘boosting GABA’-you’re overloading a specific subtype that has nothing to do with auditory cortex hyperactivity. Also, ‘40% improvement’? That’s 11 people. In a study with 27. That’s not science. That’s a typo in a Powerpoint.
Ted Carr
November 5, 2025 AT 21:17So let me get this straight: you’re recommending we take a drug that makes you dizzy, drowsy, and prone to seizures… so we can hear our own ears less? Brilliant. Next you’ll tell me to drink bleach to kill the germs in my throat. At least the tinnitus didn’t ask for a prescription.
Rebecca Parkos
November 6, 2025 AT 15:17THIS IS WHY PEOPLE DIE ONLINE. YOU DON’T JUST TRY A DRUG BECAUSE SOMEONE ON REDDIT SAID IT WORKED. I’VE SEEN PEOPLE GO INTO SEIZURES FROM STOPPING BACLOFEN SUDDENLY. IF YOU HAVE MS OR A SPINAL INJURY, TALK TO YOUR NEUROLOGIST. IF YOU DON’T? STICK WITH HEARING AIDS AND CBT. STOP PLAYING ROULETTE WITH YOUR BRAIN.
Bradley Mulliner
November 8, 2025 AT 14:02Typical. Another article pretending ‘maybe’ is evidence. Fourty percent? That’s not a cure. That’s a statistical hiccup. And you call it ‘meaningful’? For people who’ve suffered for years? That’s not hope-that’s cruelty dressed as science. And now you’re encouraging people to risk seizures for a 40% chance of quieter ringing? Pathetic.
Rahul hossain
November 9, 2025 AT 21:45One must observe, with due gravity, that the Western medical paradigm has become a carnival of pharmacological improvisation. Baclofen, a tool forged for the rigidity of the spine, is now wielded as a scalpel against the phantom symphony of the auditory cortex. One wonders-when will we begin treating the soul with SSRIs and the heart with antihypertensives? The body is not a vending machine. One cannot insert coins of desperation and expect a cure to drop.
Reginald Maarten
November 10, 2025 AT 21:43Actually, the 2019 study didn’t show ‘40% reported reduction’-it showed 40% reported *subjective* reduction, with no objective audiometric validation. Also, ‘not FDA-approved’ is an understatement-it’s not even on the FDA’s list of investigational agents for tinnitus. And ‘GABA boosts’? Baclofen is a GABA-B agonist. GABA-B receptors are sparse in the auditory cortex. GABA-A is the key player. So the entire theoretical premise is flawed. You’re not fixing the problem. You’re just sedating the patient.
Jonathan Debo
November 11, 2025 AT 07:59Let’s be clear: this is not medicine. It’s a desperate, last-ditch gamble by people who’ve been failed by a broken healthcare system. Baclofen? A drug that induces cognitive fog, dizziness, and withdrawal seizures? And you’re calling this ‘a possible option’? The real tragedy isn’t the tinnitus-it’s that we’ve reduced human suffering to a drug roulette game where the house always wins. You don’t solve neurological chaos with a muscle relaxant. You solve it with compassion. And proper funding. Not this.
Robin Annison
November 12, 2025 AT 12:21I’ve had tinnitus for 15 years. Tried everything. Baclofen made it worse. Then I started walking in the woods every morning. No headphones. Just silence. And birds. And wind. After three months, the brain stopped fighting the noise. It didn’t disappear. But it stopped being a monster. Maybe the answer isn’t in the pill… but in the pause.
Abigail Jubb
November 13, 2025 AT 01:31I was on baclofen for 11 weeks. The ringing went from a chainsaw to a whisper. I cried. I slept. I danced in my kitchen. Then I started hallucinating my cat speaking in Russian. I quit. The tinnitus came back. But now I’m terrified of silence. Because the silence… it’s not empty. It’s waiting.
George Clark-Roden
November 13, 2025 AT 16:07There’s something haunting about tinnitus… it’s not just sound-it’s the echo of your own nervous system screaming into a void. Baclofen doesn’t fix that void. It just gives you a blanket to wrap around your ears. And maybe that’s enough… for now. But what if the real healing isn’t in silencing the noise… but learning to sit with it? Not as an enemy. Not as a curse. But as a part of you that never asked to be ignored?
I don’t know if baclofen works. But I know this: the people who find peace… don’t find it in a pill. They find it in the quiet between heartbeats.