Wim Hof’s breathing exercises cause tinnitus, court hears

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 30, 2026

Ricky Kon has filed a £250,000 lawsuit against Innerfire BV, the company behind Wim Hof's breathing exercises, alleging they caused him tinnitus due to insufficient risk warnings. The case, heard in London Central County Court, will proceed with further hearings to evaluate the safety of the Wim Hof Method and the company's responsibility.

A legal dispute involving Dutch endurance athlete Wim Hof's company has emerged in London over allegations that his breathing exercises caused tinnitus. Ricky Kon, 36, from London, filed a claim against Innerfire BV, the Netherlands-based firm behind the Wim Hof Method, seeking up to £250,000 in damages. The claim was heard at London Central County Court on Wednesday.

The Wim Hof Method, which combines exposure to cold and controlled breathing techniques, is promoted as a means to enhance physical and mental wellbeing, including improvements in sleep, energy, focus, stress reduction, and immune function. According to the company, approximately 3.5 million people have participated in its programs globally. The method’s online courses, including a 10-week video program priced at £76, guide participants through a sequence of breathing exercises designed to induce controlled hyperventilation followed by breath-holding.

Mr. Kon alleges that after following these instructions on May 4, 2020, he experienced the sudden onset of tinnitus, described as persistent ringing in the ears. His claim asserts that Innerfire BV failed to provide adequate warnings about the potential risks associated with the breathing exercises. The legal complaint cites negligence and breach of contract in relation to the injury he attributes to the course.

At the hearing, Judge Ashby ordered Innerfire BV to cover Mr. Kon’s legal costs for the session and indicated that a further case management hearing would be arranged to address the proceeding's next steps. No detailed technical evaluations of the cause of the tinnitus were presented during this initial hearing.

Wim Hof, known internationally for his endurance feats in extreme cold conditions and his motivational speaking, has previously positioned his method as safe and beneficial to a broad audience. The company has not publicly commented in detail on the specific allegations in this case.

The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of the safety of wellness techniques that involve intense physiological practices, amid increasing popularity of alternative health regimes worldwide. Further legal proceedings will explore the evidence regarding the method’s safety and the adequacy of the company’s warnings to users.

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