The feeling of helplessness makes those suffering from tinnitus look for any kind of relief and vulnerable to often highly questionable and unsubstantiated claims about new treatment methods or even cures. While specialist knowledge about tinnitus is increasing, many aspects remain unclear. And many types of cures are offered without scientific documentation. The list of purported effective tinnitus treatments, whether on TV, on the internet or in the press, is growing longer.

"There is no shortage of claims and promises," says Thomas Lübbert from the local tinnitus support group, "Freizeichen" in Freiburg, Germany.

Psychology plays a major part in tinnitus, and tinnitus sufferers may actually benefit from many of the tinnitus related offers, especially if they include relaxation and counseling.