A papyrus written on by Crocodilopolis in the 6th century B.C. described a phenomenon of humming in the ears. The people of this time believed the humming could be decreased by pouring herbs, oils, and salts into the "diseased ear." (Hazell, 1987).
One of the earliest theories on the cause of tinnitus was derived from a tribe in Eastern India, known as the Annamites. According to a scientist by the name of Bartel, the Annamites believed that small animals lived inside their ears in order to protect them. They also believed that if the animals in their ears fought with other animals or if a foreign body bothered them, tinnitus would result. The Annamites treatment for tinnitus was fumigation. Which involved, burning non-poisonous snakes and letting the fumes enter their ears to rid them of foreign bodies. (Hazell, 1987).
Another philosophy of treatment for tinnitus, that proved to fail early on, was first presented in 360 B.C. by Aristotle. This famous philosopher believed that the human ear had air within it. Alexander of Tralles (525-605 A.D.) took Aristotle's idea and went on to say that if this air within our ears was dense and began to expand without having an outlet from the ear, tinnitus would result. (Hazell, 1987) In the 17th century A.D. jean Riolan, the Younger expanded on this theory of expanding air. He suggested that by removing a section of the mastoid bone one would be able to release the expanding air and by doing so cure the patient's tinnitus. This was a well-excepted theory of that time, but Jean Riolan was later discredited after two prestigious individuals died from the procedure. (Hazell, 1987).
In the 1st century A.D., a Roman named Celsus was one of the first to publish treatments for tinnitus. The majority of his treatments involved pouring various mixtures into the patient's ear, most of which did not cure the tinnitus. Celsus also suggested to his tinnitus sufferers that they should avoid excessive wine consumption.
