Hope for People with Tinnitus
Imagine a loud alarm clock ringing or a kettle whistling or 1,000 cicadas in your room. Imagine these sounds in your ear or head and no way to turn them down or turn them off. This is tinnitus.
The experience of the tinnitus patient with disturbing tinnitus can vary from an intermittent to constant sound. The good news in 2009 is that while there is no cure for tinnitus there are treatments that can lessen the suffering. The old adage of "live with it" just doesn't apply anymore.
The tinnitus treatment plan can be formulated after a thorough audiological and medical evaluation have ruled out any treatable medical conditions that may account for the tinnitus or ringing perception.
Tinnitus is a perceived sound in the ear(s) or head where there is no external sound source. Tinnitus, pronounced ti-night-us or tin-i-tus, is of Latin origin meaning "to tinkle or to ring like a bell." Tinnitus may be perceived as a ringing, roaring, hissing, buzzing, or even music.
According to the American Tinnitus Association, approximately 50 million Americans experience tinnitus to some degree. Twelve million Americans seek medical attention for their tinnitus and two million are seriously debilitated by their tinnitus.
Audiologists offer tinnitus evaluations, tinnitus counseling and device fittings to manage tinnitus and hyperacusis. Forty percent of tinnitus patients develop hyperacusis, which is sensitivity to every day sounds such as loud speech, silverware , dogs barking and office equipment sounds. Patients that plug their ears inappropriately may worsen their tinnitus and hyperacusis. Therefore, appropriate use of earplugs and sound enrichment are a key part of addressing tinnitus and hyperacusis (sound intolerance).
Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying otologic or ear disorder. Only disturbing tinnitus is treated following medical and audiological evaluations. Numerous treatments are available that include:
1. Medical management as needed
2. Appropriate use of ear protection
3. Tinnitus coping strategies
4. Hearing aids
5. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
6. Neuromonics
7. Electrical Stimulation Therapy
8. Accupuncture
9. Tinnitus maskers
Jul 10, 2009 at 10:14 AM There are also a couple of other things I would recommend: everyone with tinnitus should read the Consumer Handbook on Tinnitus ed. by Dr. Richard Tyler (Auricle Ink Publishers). Gaining detailed knowledge of tinnitus especially the chapter on cognitive behavioral therapy helps alleviate fears; I would recommend all hearing healthcare providers become skilled in this technique. Sometimes the greatest pain is our reaction to pain. I found this to be a thorough book explaining how tinnitus can be alleviated.
Jul 20, 2009 at 9:10 AM I developed tinnitus in my right ear beginning in January 2009. Recently I realized the cause to be an old, giant color copier down the hall from my desk at work. The ringing I hear intermittently in my right ear is the exact same tone as the high-pitched whining of that 10-year-old copier. Consider that I have been listening to that outdated office machine for six years now. I frightening thought: I may hear that copier everywhere I go for the rest of my life. Employers today are extremely insensitive and dismissive regarding ergonomics, white noise, and healthy office environments. I don't dare mention this to my employer, lest they scoff at me. I will either have to wear ear plugs or change desks... or find a new job.
Sep 17, 2009 at 1:44 PM Three weeks ago, I began to hear outrageous noise like being near a train track in my left hear and since then my right ear is now involved with reverberation. I cannot clearly understand even television or low talkers. The noise in my left ear is stress-filled and now I am very afraid I cannot sanely exhist with this noise--anxiety is terrible. No sleep. My doctor gave me predisone and that's it. the drug is helping some but I fear it will deminish in my body and I will be back to basics. No hocus posuc double talk, is there any hope that I can get this left ear situation calmed significantly?
Sep 17, 2009 at 2:24 PM Acute tinnitus can subside as unexpectedly as it started. Patients are not treated via the blog but I can definitely offer you hope. While there are no cures for tinnitus, there are good treatments. I recommend for any patient that is suffering from disturbing tinnitus to locate a medical doctor (neurotologist) and audiologist in your local community that specialize in tinnitus. Contact the American Tinnitus Association to determine if there is a tinnitus support group in your area. Reread my post which lists numerous treatment options. You need a thorough evaluation to determine the etiology of the symptom of tinnitus and that in turn will dictate the treatment(s) offered.
Oct 6, 2010 at 10:55 PM An interesting study by Georgetown University Medical Center used brain scans to identify what appears to be an overcompensation by the brain for missing frequencies. This turning up the volume is normally prevented by a connection between limbic system and the sensation regulating thalamus.
Dec 15, 2010 at 9:13 PM Very detailed information, write down, thank you
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