All tinnitus sufferers should...

All tinnitus sufferers should ask their physician and/or pharmacist about the potential for ototoxic side effects BEFORE starting a new prescription. In her book When the Hearing Gets Hard, author Elaine Suss names several potentially ototoxic substances. She lists them in three categories:(1) substances that most physicians consider ototoxic; (2) substances that many physicians consider potentially ototoxic; and (3) substances that may be ototoxic in rare cases.
The ototoxic effects of the substances in the third group are considered to be reversible--the effects diminish when you stop taking the drug. Ms. Suss does not list dosages.

Related Symptoms and Conditions

Meniere's Disease
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Lyme Disease
Arnold Chiari Malformation

Objective and Subjective Tinnitus

Tinnitus can be described as "ringing" ears and other head noises that are perceived in the absence of any external noise source. It is estimated that 1 out of every 5 people experience some degree of tinnitus. Tinnitus is classified into two forms: objective and subjective.
Objective Tinnitus
Tthe rarer form, consists of head noises audible to other people in addition to the sufferer. The noises are usually caused by vascular anomalies, repetitive muscle contractions, or inner ear structural defects. The sounds are heard by the sufferer and are generally external to the auditory system. This form of tinnitus means that an examiner can hear the sound heard by the sufferer by using a stethoscope. Benign causes, such as noise from TMJ, openings of the eustachian tubes, or repetitive muscle contractions may be the cause of objective tinnitus. The sufferer might hear the pulsatile flow of the carotid artery or the continuous hum of normal venous outflow through the jugular vein when in a quiet setting. It can also be an early sign of increased intracranial pressure and is often overshadowed by other neurologic abnormalities. The sounds may arise from a turbulant flow through compressed venous structures at the base of the brain.
Subjective Tinnitus
This form of tinnitus may occur anywhere in the auditory system and is much less understood, with the causes being many and open to debate. Anything from the ear canal to the brain may be involved. The sounds can range from a metallic ringing, buzzing, blowing, roaring, or sometimes similar to a claanging, popping, or nonrhythmic beating. It can be accompanied by audiometric evidence of deafness which occurs in association with both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Other conditions and syndromes which may have tinnitus in conjunction with the condition or syndrom, are otosclerosis, Menier's syndrome, and cochlear or auditory neve lesions.
Hearing loss, hyperacusis, recruitment, FMS, and balance problems may or may not be present in conjunction with tinnitus.

source- bixby.org

TOP 5 FACTS ABOUT TINNITUS

One in seven people have experienced the symptoms of tinnitus - noises inside the ears or head
70 per cent of GPs surveyed have never had any training on the condition, new research from national charity RNID reveals today.
The charity found that 15 per cent of those surveyed - which equates to more than seven million people across the UK - had experienced tinnitus, often described as ringing, whistling, humming or buzzing in the ears or head, for more than a day.
The research has found that tinnitus can cause severe distress and suffering - disrupting people's work, relationships and sex lives - less than a third of doctors surveyed say they have had any training on the condition.

RNID is revealing the shocking extent of this hidden health problem on the same day it launches a new web service - www.tuneouttinnitus.org.uk - with information to help those with tinnitus understand the condition and advice on simple techniques and equipment to manage it.
RNID is calling for GPs to take a more understanding and holistic approach to patients with tinnitus, directing those with mild tinnitus to RNID for help and referring those whose condition has a severe impact on their lives to an ear, nose and throat specialist.
TINNITUS QUICK FACTS
What is tinnitus? Tinnitus is the medical term for noises heard in the ears or in the head. It is often described as 'ringing in the ears', but can take the form of many different sounds such as whistling, buzzing or whirring.
How many people have tinnitus?

New RNID research shows that one in seven people experience the symptoms of tinnitus.
What causes tinnitus?

Tinnitus can be caused by many different things, such as exposure to loud noise, an ear infection, certain prescribed drugs, stress, or a combination of all of these.
What can I do to manage my tinnitus?

If you are concerned you may have tinnitus or about the effect tinnitus is having on your life, make an appointment with your GP. There is currently no cure, but there are many things you can do to manage it, such as relaxation techniques and products and music to distract from the sound. If you suspect you may have a hearing loss, hearing aids could help you.

TOP 5 FACTS ABOUT TINNITUS
1.The word 'tinnitus' derives from the latin 'tinnire' meaning, 'to ring'.2.Although it's commonly described as 'a ringing in the ears', it can also sound like whistling, buzzing, whirring, or even music.3.Alcohol can make tinnitus worse4.Tinnitus can occur at any age, even children can experience it5.Many people who are profoundly deaf also have tinnitus.

source-gm.tv

Tinnitus News

Some people describe the phantom sounds as so constant and so disabling, they've quit their jobs, living almost as shut-ins in a world dominated by ringing, buzzing, hissing or roaring very often only they can hear.The disorder is called tinnitus. And only now, after having languished for decades as an orphan disorder, are dramatic advances being made. Experiments are under way mostly in Europe, using sophisticated imaging techniques that allow doctors to "see" areas in the brain where sound signals are no longer translated - progress that could help doctors target new treatments.Dr. Mark Shikowitz, professor of otolaryngology at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, estimates that 36 million people in the United States suffer from tinnitus and 7 million are hopelessly crippled by a constant cacophony in their heads. The American Tinnitus Association puts the estimate of those with the condition at 50 million.
"Loud noises are the most common cause" of tinnitus, a condition that inevitably becomes more common with age, Shikowitz said. Young people, he added, are not immune because they, from one generation to another, have had a preference for ear-damaging music."In the '60s and '70s it was the rock concertgoers who were getting it at a young age," he said. "Now it's the kids with iPods."Similar ringing and hissing are becoming major disabilities reported by soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who've suffered blast injuries in war zones. Patients treated for cancer with certain chemotherapy drugs also develop tinnitus. Aspirin is a known cause of the condition, although the ringing or hissing subside when patients stop taking the drug."Mine is a constant hissing at a high pitch, but sometimes there is clicking associated with it," said a Manhattan resident who is part of an American Tinnitus Association awareness campaign. Despite being part of the country's largest tinnitus advocacy organization, he doesn't want his name publicly linked with the disorder.He has no idea what triggered the tortured sounds. But whatever it was, he said, it also robbed him of some of his hearing: "Sometimes it's like a steam kettle." He says he is so severely encumbered that he can no longer hold a job.Tinnitus treatments run a wide gamut from the holistic to the electronic. Vitamin B-12, zinc and ginkgo biloba all have been suggested. Maskers - devices that produce "white noise" at a pitch above that of the tinnitus - also are sometimes recommended, Shikowitz said.The trouble emerges when tiny hair cells deep within the inner ear are damaged. "In the middle ear there are two bones that vibrate," explained Lynn Spivak, who holds a doctorate in audiology and is director of the hearing and speech center at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park."Those vibrations are transmitted to the inner ear, and the hair cells are responsible for transducing those vibrations into electrochemical energy, which causes stimulation of the auditory nerve fibers in the brain," she said.As people age, hair cells naturally diminish, causing more trouble with hearing and an increased incidence of tinnitus.Richard Salvi of the hearing center at the University at Buffalo, who is researching tinnitus treatments, said several advances in Germany and Belgium are making their way to the United States. One involves imaging the brain through positron emission tomography - PET - in which a scan reveals the part of the brain where signals are not translated into meaningful sound.Shikowitz said not all tinnitus is subjective, the kind brought on by loud noise or age. With objective tinnitus, even the physician can hear through a stethoscope a noise caused by a muscle problem in the inner ear. Ringing and hissing also can be caused by vascular problems, a benign tumor or multiple sclerosis, he said.
BY DELTHIA RICKS

This is difficult, but neccesary

Finding a tinnitus treatment is important. But defining the severity of tinnitus is rather difficult at the moment. Those who have hearing loss because of it may be able to find relief with hearing aids. There are various hearing aid types available. You can always consult your doctor about it. Hearing aids have been known to help many people. Though tinnitus is not the disease but a symptom, it still has lots of damaging effects. In your case, maybe you can minimize that damage through the help of a hearing aid.

Tinnitus Overview

Tinnitus patients vary in their level of hearing such sounds. Some only hear the noise in the background, as bit quiet but still there. Others though hear the noise very loudly, even to the point of other noises not being heard anymore. This in a way is a hearing loss. In cities and countries that are industrialized, tinnitus is very common. Objective tests are not really that effective in measuring or assessing the levels of tinnitus. This is because it has always been looked at as a phenomenon that is subjective. Because of this tinnitus treatments are not that well defined either. Intensity and frequency of this disorder is often difficult to ascertain. That is why diagnosis is usually in the range of “catastrophic” and “slight.” Tinnitus can greatly affect a person’s life because daily activities such as sleeping and of course conversations can sorely suffer.

Progress in explaining tinnitus via brain imaging

Some people describe the phantom sounds as so constant and so disabling, they've quit their jobs, living almost as shut-ins in a world dominated by ringing, buzzing, hissing or roaring very often only they can hear.The disorder is called tinnitus. And only now, after having languished for decades as an orphan disorder, are dramatic advances being made.

Experiments are under way mostly in Europe, using sophisticated imaging techniques that allow doctors to "see" areas in the brain where sound signals are no longer translated - progress that could help doctors target new treatments.Dr. Mark Shikowitz, professor of otolaryngology at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, estimates that 36 million people in the United States suffer from tinnitus and 7 million are hopelessly crippled by a constant cacophony in their heads. The American Tinnitus Association puts the estimate of those with the condition at 50 million.

"Loud noises are the most common cause" of tinnitus, a condition that inevitably becomes more common with age, Shikowitz said. Young people, he added, are not immune because they, from one generation to another, have had a preference for ear-damaging music."In the '60s and '70s it was the rock concertgoers who were getting it at a young age," he said. "Now it's the kids with iPods."Similar ringing and hissing are becoming major disabilities reported by soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who've suffered blast injuries in war zones. Patients treated for cancer with certain chemotherapy drugs also develop tinnitus. Aspirin is a known cause of the condition, although the ringing or hissing subside when patients stop taking the drug.

"Mine is a constant hissing at a high pitch, but sometimes there is clicking associated with it," said a Manhattan resident who is part of an American Tinnitus Association awareness campaign. Despite being part of the country's largest tinnitus advocacy organization, he doesn't want his name publicly linked with the disorder.He has no idea what triggered the tortured sounds. But whatever it was, he said, it also robbed him of some of his hearing: "Sometimes it's like a steam kettle." He says he is so severely encumbered that he can no longer hold a job.Tinnitus treatments run a wide gamut from the holistic to the electronic.

Vitamin B-12, zinc and ginkgo biloba all have been suggested. Maskers - devices that produce "white noise" at a pitch above that of the tinnitus - also are sometimes recommended, Shikowitz said.The trouble emerges when tiny hair cells deep within the inner ear are damaged. "In the middle ear there are two bones that vibrate," explained Lynn Spivak, who holds a doctorate in audiology and is director of the hearing and speech center at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park."Those vibrations are transmitted to the inner ear, and the hair cells are responsible for transducing those vibrations into electrochemical energy, which causes stimulation of the auditory nerve fibers in the brain," she said.

As people age, hair cells naturally diminish, causing more trouble with hearing and an increased incidence of tinnitus.Richard Salvi of the hearing center at the University at Buffalo, who is researching tinnitus treatments, said several advances in Germany and Belgium are making their way to the United States. One involves imaging the brain through positron emission tomography - PET - in which a scan reveals the part of the brain where signals are not translated into meaningful sound.Shikowitz said not all tinnitus is subjective, the kind brought on by loud noise or age. With objective tinnitus, even the physician can hear through a stethoscope a noise caused by a muscle problem in the inner ear. Ringing and hissing also can be caused by vascular problems, a benign tumor or multiple sclerosis, he said.

Learn more about tinnitus

The term is taken from the Latin word of ‘ringing’. This disorder is basically described as a person’s hearing of a certain sound though there are no external factors causing that sound. The sound being heard is usually described as a constant ringing noise. This noise can be heard by both ears or by only one. Some people who are affected with this though describe hearing other sounds such as beeping, songs, tunes, locusts, crickets, roaring, clicking, ticking, and whistling sound, humming, hissing, buzzing, whining, and whooshing sounds.One thing must be made clear here. Tinnitus is not the disease. Rather, it is a symptom of many ear disorders. These underlying causes include presence of ear wax, foreign objects, ear infections, menieres disease, and an injury from a very loud noise.Tinnitus can also be a side-effect from taking oral medications (e.g.: aspirin), and abnormal lowering of serotonin activity level.

Hi world!

Hello world! Thsi is great to know when looking for tinnitus relief!

Ear drops: To calm the vata in the ears, ten drops of warm sesame oil is applied daily to each ear. The oil is allowed to remain in the first ear for five or ten minutes, then that ear is cleaned, and the same procedure is followed with the other ear, with the patient lying on the other side. Typically, this treatment should alleviate tinnitus, and most other symptoms of vata, within eight to ten days.
Consumption of caffeine, nicotine, or cocaine can exacerbate tinnitus, as also excess TV viewing, Computers, or sleeping near an equipment emitting RF field. Avoid too much exposure to loud noises, music, speakers, and professional activities which involve high frequency sounds.

Home Remedy

Vacha (Acorus calamus) oil nasya, has a powerful effect in
calming and balancing the Prana Vata which causes tinnitus. An sesame oil in
which calamus root is boiled on low fire is taken nasally, five drops
per nostril, at night and in the morning. The nasya should be warmed to body
temperature before administration. nasya helps to nourish the senses to
eliminate excess vata from senses Though nasya should be administered by a
Vaidya (ayurvedic doctor), one can learn it from him and then it becomes home
remedy.
Head massage and foot massage, wherein the soles of the feet are
massaged with warm sesame oil, has a specific effect in reducing the noise
in the ear. At bedtime, warm sesame oil should be applied to the soles of
the feet and also to the scalp. This treatment rapidly normalizes the prana
vata.

Home Remedies for tinnitus

Tinnitus can be caused due to aging, exposure to loud noises, allergy, blood circulation problems or any head or neck injury all of which causes damage to the hearing nerve in the inner ear. Constant noise of varying pitch in the ear or both ears is quite annoying and distracting.
· Avoid exposure to loud noises.
· Keep your blood pressure in check, decrease intake of salt, tobacco, alcohol, oily/fatty foods, sugar, cola, tea, coffee and caffeinated beverages as they might aggravate the problem.
· Chewing dried fruits helps to increase blood circulation in the ear area.
· Avoid stress and exercise regularly for better blood circulation in your body. · Learn to ignore the noise and divert your mind in other things of your interest. Consult a (specialist) otolaryngologist to investigate the cause as the treatment will follow after knowing the exact cause.

Source Of "Ringing Of The Ears" Extends Beyond Hearing Systems

a ringing in the ears that affects millions of people - may be related to visual as well as auditory brain activity, according to a study in the February 27 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Researchers made the connection while studying the origin of this unwanted sound.

The study focused on eight patients with gaze-evoked tinnitus (GET), an unusual condition in which tinnitus loudness and pitch increase during lateral gaze. GET may develop after surgical removal of tumors of the auditory nerve. The researchers expect that the findings from their study of this rare condition will open the door to a broader understanding of the brain abnormalities that cause tinnitus.

As researchers mapped the brains of GET patients, they found an unexpected imbalance between the auditory and visual parts of the brain.
Normally, these different brain areas communicate with each other to determine which perception should be given priority.

In normal subjects, lateral gaze suppresses auditory brain activity, but not so with GET patients. This failure of one sensory system to suppress the activity of another may be an important feature of tinnitus.

"This is the first research to show that a failure of the complicated way our brain systems talk to each other contributes to the cause of tinnitus. Tinnitus is not the simple problem we hoped for," said Alan H. Lockwood, MD, study co-author. Lockwood, Professor of Neurology, Nuclear Medicine and Communicative Disorders and Sciences at the State University of New York at Buffalo, and the Veterans Administration Western New York Healthcare System, also co-authored the first research which showed tinnitus sensations came from the brain in the central auditory system, and not the cochlea.

"It remains to be seen what other parts of the brain are involved in the cause of tinnitus," added Lockwood. "However, this is an important step in unraveling this complicated story."
Tinnitus is a perception of ringing or buzzing in the ears that affects 50 million people in the US according to the American Tinnitus Association. Tinnitus is more common in men and in people over the age of 65. Severe tinnitus is associated with depression, anxiety, sleep disruption and other symptoms that significantly impact patients' quality of life.

A neurologist is a medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system.
The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 17,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research.

Loud Music and Tinnitus

If your tinnitus has been caused by exposure to loud noise, for example from a rock concert or night club, then it is likely that the tinnitus will go within a day or so. However, although it is temporary, this should act as a warning that you have exposed you ears to a higher level of noise than they are comfortable with. If you let this happen frequently then it is possible that the tinnitus or any dullness of hearing, or both, may become permanent.
You should wear ear protection to protect your ears from damage when you are exposed to loud noise either at work or during leisure activities.

Mechanisms of subjective tinnitus

The inner ear contains thousands of minute hairs which vibrate in response to sound waves and cells which convert neural signals back into acoustical vibrations. The sensing cells are connected with the vibratory cells through a neural feedback loop, whose gain is regulated by the brain. This loop is normally adjusted just below onset of self-oscillation, which gains the ear spectacular sensitivity and selectivity. If something changes, it's easy for the delicate adjustment to cross the barrier of oscillation and tinnitus results. This can actually be measured by a very sensitive microphone outside the ear.

One of the possible mechanisms of how things can change in the ear is damage to the receptor cells. Although receptor cells can be regenerated from the adjacent supporting Deiters cells after injury in birds, reptiles, and amphibians, in mammals it is believed that they can be produced only during embryogenesis. Although mammalian Deiters cells reproduce and position themselves appropriately for regeneration, they have not been observed to transdifferentiate into receptor cells except in tissue culture experiments.[15][16] Therefore, if these hairs become damaged, through prolonged exposure to excessive decibel levels, for instance, then deafness to certain frequencies occurs. In tinnitus, they may falsely relay information at a certain frequency that an externally audible sound is present, when it is not.
The mechanisms of subjective tinnitus are often obscure.

While it is not surprising that direct trauma to the inner ear can cause tinnitus, other apparent causes (e.g., TMJ and dental disorders) are difficult to explain. Recent research has proposed that there are two distinct categories of subjective tinnitus: otic tinnitus, caused by disorders of the inner ear or the acoustic nerve, and somatic tinnitus, caused by disorders outside the ear and nerve but still within the head or neck. It is further hypothesized that somatic tinnitus may be due to "central crosstalk" within the brain, as certain head and neck nerves enter the brain near regions known to be involved in hearing.

While most discussions of tinnitus tend to stress physical mechanisms, there is strong evidence that the level of an individual's awareness of their tinnitus can be stress-related, and so should be addressed by improving the state of the nervous system generally, using gradual, unobtrusive, long-term treatments.

Is it true?

Is it true that stress can make tinnitus worse?
Stress and tinnitus are strongly linked. In some cases, such as bereavement, stress can actually causes tinnitus. However, generally it may exacerbate it. Stress caused from worrying about tinnitus can increase muscle tension, anxiety and irritability, making your tinnitus worse and leading to an increase in stress, which becomes a vicious circle.
Research has shown that the more you can relax, the easier it is to manage tinnitus. And relaxing doesn't need to be difficult or costly. If you take a walk or have a warm bath it can help.

source- rnid.org.uk

Objective tinnitus

In a minority of cases, a clinician can perceive an actual sound (e.g., a bruit) emanating from the patient's ears. This is called objective tinnitus. Objective tinnitus can arise from muscle spasms that cause clicks or crackling around the middle ear. Some people experience a sound that beats in time with the pulse (pulsatile tinnitus). Pulsatile tinnitus is usually objective in nature, resulting from altered blood flow or increased blood turbulence near the ear (such as from atherosclerosis or venous hum ,but it can also arise as a subjective phenomenon from an increased awareness of blood flow in the ear. Rarely, pulsatile tinnitus may be a symptom of potentially life-threatening conditions such as carotid artery aneurysm or dissection.

Ear loss

Temporary hearing loss can happen after you've been exposed to loud noise for 15 minutes or less. If you have temporary hearing loss, you won't be able to hear as well as you normally do for a while. You may also have tinnitus ,which is a medical term for ringing in the ears. Your ears can feel "full," too. Luckily, these symptoms usually go away and your hearing is likely to return to normal.

If someone is exposed to loud noise over a long period of time, like every day, permanent hearing loss can occur. This means the person's hearing won't ever be as good as it once was. That's why construction workers and factory workers need to wear ear protection. Lawn mowers and power tools, like chain saws, can also be loud enough to affect a person's ability to hear high-pitched noises.

This kind of noise also can cause a person to have tinnitus all the time.
Listening to extremely loud music a lot can cause the same kind of damage, especially if headphones are used. Some famous musicians have lost hearing and developed tinnitus - a real problem for someone who needs to hear to make and enjoy music.
But you can help keep your hearing in tip-top shape.

Protect your ears by wearing ear protection when you're using machinery, like in metal shop at school. Also remember to turn down the volume, especially when you are wearing headphones or in the car. You also might want to give your ears a rest once in a while if you like wearing headphones.

And if you're going to a concert, where you know the music is going to be loud, consider wearing earplugs to protect your ears from the boom, boom, boom! Take these steps now and you won't be saying "What?" later on.

Tinnitus help in the UK

PureTone
Sells wearable noise generators and desktop/bedside sound generators.PureTone, 9-10 Henley Business Park, Trident Close, Medway City Estate, Kent ME2 4FRTelephone: 01634 719 427 Fax: 01634 719 450Website: PureTone website (external link, opens new browser window)
British Tinnitus Association
The British Tinnitus Association campaigns for better services for people with tinnitus. It supports a network of local tinnitus groups around the country, has a range of publications and produces a quarterly magazine called "Quiet". It also encourages research into tinnitus and supports a network of local tinnitus groups around the country.
British Tinnitus Association, Ground Floor, Unit 5, Acorn Business Park, Woodseats Close, Sheffield S8 0TBTelephone: 0800 018 0527Fax: 0114 258 2279Email: info@tinnitus.org.ukWebsite: British Tinnitus Association website (external link, opens new browser window)
Hush
Hush is the name of the Hull tinnitus self-help group. They run a helpline and produce information and tapes for people with tinnitus.
Hush, 109 Southella Way, Hull HU10 7LZTelephone: 01482 656033Email: hush@btinternet.comWebsite: Hush website (external link, opens new browser window)
Contact a local group
If you feel you need more help with your tinnitus directly from other people who also have it, you could contact a local tinnitus support group. There are about 100 of these in the UK. They are set up and run by people with tinnitus. The type of support and help they are able to offer varies between groups. Contact the RNID Tinnitus Helpline for details of your nearest group.

Fountains

The sound of running water can be very soothing and can help to mask tinnitus. Try installing an indoor fountain in your home. These are available from garden centres or general stores such as Argos and cost around £25.

Using household items to help with your tinnitus

Fans
Desktop fans usually make a whirring sound as their blades spin and they vibrate on whatever surface they are sitting on. Quite often the cheaper the fan, the louder the noise. You can expect to pay from about £15 upward for a fan. Try DIY stores or shops that sell electrical goods.
Radios
A radio tuned off-station in the frequency modulation (FM) band creates a "shhh"-type noise that is similar to white or pink noise.
Personal cassette and CD players
Personal cassette and CD players direct sound into the ears via headphones or earphones. Used at sensible volume levels they are perfect for sound enrichment. You can also use them to play tapes of white noise or relaxing sounds.
You could also listen to relaxation tapes and tapes of soothing sounds such as the sea or other sounds of nature. Talking books can be a relaxing and enjoyable way of taking your mind off your tinnitus. Tapes are available in bookshops, record shops and occasionally health or "new age" shops.

Can I use household equipment to help manage my tinnitus?

You can use ordinary household equipment to help your tinnitus, such as:
fans
radios
personal DVD, cassette and CD players
fountains.

Pillow speakers

Pillow speakers do not actually generate sound themselves. Instead you connect them to a sound source of your choice, such as a tape, DVD or CD player, radio, hi-fi or television. You slip the pillow speaker under your pillow and you can then listen to your choice of sound without having to wear headphones or earphones. As the sound comes through the pillow, it will not disturb other people providing the volume is at the right level.
If your bedside clock radio has a sleep or snooze button you can plug the pillow speaker into it and listen to it until it turns itself off. This means you can go to sleep without leaving the radio on all night. Pillow speakers are not designed to go under your mattress.
The Sound Pillow is a pillow with stereo speakers buried inside. You can connect it to any sound source and so listen to a sound of your choice.

Bedside Noise Generators

Bedside or desktop noise generators
These noise generators are freestanding and either have a built-in speaker and/or plug-in headphones, a speaker that goes under your pillow, or an in-the-ear receiver. They give out a range of soothing sounds such as light rain, a waterfall, a bubbling brook or birdsong. You can buy a range of additional sounds for many models.

What do they cost?
They cost from £20 to £65.

How much do werable noise generators cost?

Where can I get them and what do they cost?
You can get ITE and BTE models, combination instruments and "shoes" as part of NHS tinnitus treatment in hospital, where they should be free.
You can also buy them privately from hearing aid dispensers and consultants, but they can be expensive. If you are thinking of buying one, look for a hearing aid dispenser who offers you a trial period of at least 30 days. This will give you time to test out the noise generator in a wide range of settings to make sure it will be of some benefit to you.
In-the-canal noise generators don't need a personal fitting, and so cost a lot less. Some NHS hospitals supply them. You can also buy them privately from private dispensers or by mail order from companies such as PureTone.If you are thinking of buying privately you will get more from your noise generator if you buy it as part of a tinnitus management programme. Prices for sound generators start from £150, but you may be able to claim back VAT if you go through your GP or hospital.

Noise generators available

Wearable noise generators look like hearing aids. There are several types available:
In-the-canal (ITC) models fit inside the ear canal.
In-the-ear (ITE) models sit at the entrance of the ear canal.
Behind-the-ear (BTE) models are worn behind the ear. Sound reaches your ear via a plastic tube and ear mould. They are also known as "post-aural" models.
Combination instruments are combined hearing aid and noise generators.
A noise generator "shoe" is an attachment on certain models of hearing aid, which makes a combination instrument.

Wearable noise generators

Wearable noise generators
Wearable noise generators have been known by various names in the past, including tinnitus maskers, white noise generators, wide band noise generators, retrainers or blockers. They all produce a soothing "shhh" sound known as "white noise" or "pink noise". Pink noise is slightly richer and less shrill than white noise. Both types consist of a mix of high, middle and low sound frequencies.
Some specialists recommend wearing the generators for a few hours each day and at times when the tinnitus is particularly troublesome. Other specialists think that people who use wearable noise generators should wear them all the time when they are awake.
If you wear the generators often it will increase the chances of habituation (this is when you become less aware of your tinnitus and eventually only notice it when you focus on it). However, if you find the noise generators irritate you then you will not help your tinnitus and may make it worse.
In the past, wearable noise generators were set at a level that was so loud it blocked out the tinnitus. These days they are set at a level that is either just below or at the same pitch as your tinnitus.

Sound generators and Tinnitus

How can noise and sound generators help me with tinnitus?
Sound and noise generators can help you manage and live with tinnitus and hyperacusis (sensitivity to noise). They are forms of sound enrichment. Sound enrichment is a vital part of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT). Noise generators are also used in neurophysiologically based management (NBM), which is similar to TRT but may not include all parts of it.

What kind of equipment is available for people with tinnitus?
Sound and noise generators developed specifically for people with tinnitus include:
wearable noise generators
bedside or desktop noise generators
pillow speakers.

Shiatsu for Tinnitus

Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a traditional Japanese treatment. Shiatsu practitioners believe that a vital energy - 'ki' - flows throughout your body, in a series of channels called meridians. For many different reasons, the ki can stop flowing freely, and this results in illness or symptoms of an illness.
The shiatsu practitioner gently holds and presses on your meridians with their palms, thumbs, fingers, elbows, knees and feet. When necessary, they may use more vigorous stimulation. It is thought that shiatsu works by stimulating your circulation and helping to release toxins and deep-seated tensions in your body.

There are many treatments that are effective for tinnitus resulting from a particular cause, but none are effective in every case. Conversely, tinnitus may resolve without any treatment. Effective treatments include:

Objective tinnitus:
Gamma knife radiosurgery (glomus jugulare)
Shielding of cochlea by teflon implant
Botulinum toxin (palatal tremor)
Propranolol and clonazepam (arterial anatomic variation)
Subjective tinnitus:
Drugs and nutrients
Lidocaine, injection into the inner ear found to surpress the tinnitus for 20 minutes, according to a Swedish study.
Benzodiazepines (xanax, ativan, klonopin)
Avoidance of caffeine, nicotine, salt
Avoidance of or consumption of alcohol
Zinc supplementation (where serum zinc deficiency is present)
Acamprosate
Etidronate or sodium fluoride (otosclerosis)
Lignocaine or anticonvulsants (usually in patients responsive to white noise masking)
Carbemazepine
Melatonin (especially for those with sleep disturbance)
Sertraline
Vitamin combinations (lipo-flavonoid)
Electrical stimulation
Transcranial magnetic stimulation or transcranial direct current stimulation
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
Direct stimulation of auditory cortex by implanted electrodes
Surgery
Repair of perilymph fistula
External sound
Low-pitched sound treatment has shown some positive, encouraging results.(UC, Irvine press release)
Tinnitus masking (white noise)
Tinnitus retraining therapy
Auditive stimulation therapy (music therapy)
Compensation for lost frequencies by use of a hearing aid.
Ultrasonic bone-conduction external acoustic stimulation
Avoidance of outside noise (exogenous tinnitus)
Psychological
Cognitive behavior therapy

Although there are no specific cures for tinnitus, anything that brings the person out of the "fight or flight" stress response helps symptoms recede over a period of time. Calming body-based therapies, counseling and psychotherapy help restore well-being, which in turn allows tinnitus to settle. Chronic tinnitus can be quite stressful psychologically, as it distracts the affected individual from mental tasks and interferes with sleep, particularly when there is no external sound. Additional steps in reducing the impact of tinnitus on adverse health consequences include: a review of medications that may have tinnitus as a side effect; a physical exam to reveal possible underlying health conditions that may aggravate tinnitus; receiving adequate rest each day; and seeking a physician's advice concerning a sleep aid to allow for a better sleep pattern.

Alternative Therapies for Tinnitus

Craniosacral therapy
Craniosacral therapy is similar to cranial osteopathy. It aims to treat gently any imbalances in your brain and spinal cord, and the fluids that surround them, using gentle touch. Craniosacral therapy helps your fluids and related soft tissue move naturally and so helps your body to heal itself.
Reflexology
Reflexology works on the principle that points on your feet represent energy pathways to different parts of your body. Blockages in these energy pathways are thought to lead to illness or imbalance. By working on particular points on your feet, the reflexologist aims to clear these blockages.

For tinnitus

Osteopathy
An osteopath manipulates, stretches and massages the affected parts of your body with their hands to correct any imbalances. Osteopathy is used to treat back and joint pain, rheumatic conditions and sports injuries.
Cranial osteopathy
Cranial osteopathy is a type of osteopathic treatment that aims to release stress and tensions throughout your body. Stress and tension disrupts the body's cranial rhythm. This is a very subtle rhythm that is present in all body tissues. Practitioners compare your rhythm to what they think is ideal. This helps them find the stresses and strains in your body. The cranial osteopath gently manipulates your skull, spinal column and sacral area (the area in your lower back) to help restore the correct balance.

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy for Tinnitus

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy
Hypnosis is a state of intense relaxation and concentration. When you are hypnotised you are not asleep or unconscious. It is thought that your mind becomes remote and detached from daily care and concerns when you are in this state, and the subconscious part of your mind responds creatively to any suggestions.
Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis as a treatment. It can help you focus on things you wish to change, and on the best ways to do it. There are two main types:- suggestion therapy and analytical therapy.
Suggestion therapy is generally used to treat simple problems, such as smoking and nail biting. You will probably need one or two sessions of treatment.
Analytical therapy is based on the principle that every effect or symptom must have a cause. It is usually a long-term treatment, where the hypnotherapist builds a relationship with you and helps you look at and get rid of the 'subconscious' cause of your condition. By doing this, they hope to reduce the severity of your symptoms.

Homeopathy for Tinnitus

Homeopathy aims to help the body to heal itself. It is based on the principle that symptoms are the body's defences and need to be encouraged to develop rather than being suppressed. When deciding on a treatment for you, the homeopath aims to find a remedy that in high doses produces symptoms similar to those of your condition. You then take this remedy in a very diluted form.

Herbals and Ginko Biloba

Herbal medicine
Herbal medicine or herbalism involves using plants to prevent and treat illness. The herbalist aims to treat both the symptoms you are getting and the underlying cause of your condition. They prescribe herbs in different forms including tablets, powders and ointments. You can choose between Chinese or Western herbalism.

Ginko Biloba
You may have read about the herb Ginko Biloba and its effects on tinnitus. Clinical trails have not shown conclusively that Ginko Biloba helps people with tinnitus.

Chiropractic for Tinnitus

A chiropractor diagnoses and treats conditions linked to problems of the spine, which can lead to irritation of the nerves that control your posture and movement. Chiropractors use their hands to gently adjust and manipulate stiff joints and tight muscles, especially those of the spine. This helps realign the spine and other joints, and helps to restore nerve function, reduce pain, improve mobility, and promote health and feelings of wellbeing.
Chiropractic is used to treat arthritic and rheumatic conditions, whiplash or sports injuries, and their effects on the nervous system.

Aromatherapy for Tinnitus

An aromatherapist uses a range of essential plant oils to help relax you, restore your emotional wellbeing, increase energy levels, and reduce your stress. The oils are diluted (in their natural form, they can irritate your skin) and massaged into your skin. They can also be inhaled.
You should get advice before using any essential oils yourself, especially if you are pregnant or have an illness.

Acupuncture May Help Tinnitus

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapy. It uses very fine needles, which are inserted into precise points around your body. The most you will feel is a sensation as the needle goes into your skin.
Acupuncturists believe that the body has a life or energy force - or "qi" - which flows around your body in channels, called meridians. Each meridian is associated with a particular organ. The chronic over- or under-activity of any of these meridians is thought to cause a particular organ to work less effectively, resulting in illness. Acupuncture works by stimulating your body's own healing responses and getting rid of any imbalance of qi.

Tinnitus Complementary Therapy Cost

Will I have to pay for complementary therapies?
Complementary therapies are generally not available on the NHS and you will usually have to pay for treatments yourself. It's also important to remember that you may need a course of treatments, rather than a one-off treatment.
Some GPs and physiotherapists do offer complementary therapy, such as acupuncture, homeopathy and massage. There are also some specialist NHS homeopathic hospitals in some parts of the UK.

We take our ears and hearing for granted until something goes a miss. Ringing in the ears is known as tinnitus and acupuncture takes a treatment approach of looking for the underlying cause.

Tinnitus and Acupuncture
Tinnitus is the name given to ringing in the ears. One of the strange things about tinnitus is that even Western Medicine does not consider it a disease or a condition, but rather a symptom. When you compare two lists of causes for this condition, one listing the causes as seen from a Western Medicine point of view and the other from a Traditional Chinese Medicine point of view, you will get a pretty good idea of how far apart these two disciplines can really be in some cases.

The Western Medicine list contains more items. They range from trauma to earwax. One of the problems in tinnitus is that it is very hard to measure because the only way it can be observed is from the reports of the sufferer. There is a certain type of tinnitus that can actually be heard by the examiner, but this is uncommon and related to muscle spasms within the ear. This is known as objective tinnitus. In other rare cases, the noise is like a pulse and this is called pulsatile tinnitus. This condition is usually related to increased blood flow around the ear or sometimes simply patient awareness of the pulse of blood flowing near the ear.
The majority of cases are subjective tinnitus.

This is a ringing noise where the exact cause is unknown. Chinese Medicine sees it as a common result of internal disruptions of the flow of qi. They see four or five different causes and each one suggests a different acupuncture treatment to alleviate it. Emotional strain, anger and frustration can lead to excess LV fire or LV rising. Excessive sadness and grief can cause weak chest qi that does not rise to the head. Excessive sex or overwork can weaken KD Jing, as can old age. Dietary habits and trauma each have their own results and therefore suggest their own treatment.

This look at how acupuncture might be used to treat tinnitus also illustrates the problem with most clinical studies that attempt to measure the success rates of acupuncture treatments. In most clinical studies, certain acupuncture points will be selected. If the studies are attempting to be fair, the points will be points that have had some past success in the treatment of the condition. However, if the cause is different in each patient and ranges from excessive sexual activity to grief, it is plain that each patient is going to have his own set of acupuncture points.
Another problem with the studies is that acupuncture is only one part of what is usually a complete program that includes the administration of herbs and advice on diet and lifestyle issues.

It is only when the entire program is followed that results can be expected. There is no doubt that acupuncture for tinnitus can produce results, but proving it in clinical studies is a bit complex. This is part of what leads to the resistance of some Western doctors to recommend it as an alternative treatment.

Before complementary therapy for tinnitus, do this:

Before you start on a course of complementary therapy:
tell your GP about the therapy you are thinking of starting, especially if you are taking conventional medicine to help manage your tinnitus. They may be able to tell you if that therapy is available on the NHS
make sure you use a qualified practitioner who is registered with the relevant professional body. A good practitioner should be happy to work with treatment recommended by your GP to help you manage your tinnitus.

Reach a sense of control using alternative therapies

Complementary therapies - also known as alternative therapies - are now widely accepted and used by many people. Complementary practitioners aim to treat you holistically - working with you as a whole person. As well as treating the symptoms of your condition, they will ask you about your emotional, physical and mental wellbeing to find out how these are affecting your health.
Complementary therapies may help you relax and get to sleep more easily. This in turn can help reduce stress, which may help your tinnitus. This is because there is a strong link between tinnitus and stress. Muscle tension, anxiety and irritability that result from stress can make your tinnitus worse, which can in turn lead to an increase in stress - a vicious cycle. See our factsheets Tinnitus and relaxation and Tinnitus and sleep for more information.
Many practitioners of complementary therapies spend time talking to you about your symptoms and your tinnitus and aim to build a good relationship with you. This can have a positive affect in itself, as talking about your tinnitus to a sympathetic listener is often therapeutic. Overall, you may gain a sense of control over your tinnitus.

Which therapies are best for tinnitus?
There is no clear-cut answer. You may even find that some people question whether complementary medicine has any role in tinnitus management. However, there is very little conclusive evidence to prove or disprove the usefulness of any particular therapy. Although there is no evidence to prove it, it is thought they work by helping you to relax and sleep. Different therapies suit different people so it is a case of try it and see. If it works for you, use it, but be wary of leaping from one type to another in the hope of finding the 'miracle cure'.
Below is a summary of some complementary medicines that are more widely available. It is not a complete list and it doesn't recommend these treatments above any others. These therapies have been chosen to give you an idea of the range of complementary medicines that can be used in tinnitus management. These include:
acupuncture
aromatherapy
chiropractic
herbal medicine
homeopathy
hypnosis and hypnotherapy
osteopathy
reflexology
shiatsu.

Wearing earplugs or earmuffs

Is it a good idea to use earplugs or earmuffs?
Some people with hyperacusis tend to use devices such as earplugs or earmuffs to block out sound. Your audiology specialist may refer to these as ‘attenuators’. Although these may provide temporary relief, in the long-term they can undo any progress you are making to adapt to sound and they may even make hyperacusis worse.
However, if you are exposed to loud sounds for a long time, for example in your job, this can make hyperacusis worse. Therefore, you may find it helps to wear special ‘active’ electronic sound attenuators and musicians’ earplugs if you work in a noisy place.

How to help yourself if you have hyperacusis

If you have hyperacusis there are several things you can do:
Try not to wear earmuffs or earplugs unless you really need to, and then only for short periods of time (see below for more information).
Try not to avoid situations where you might hear sounds that will cause you discomfort.
Try to avoid being in a completely quiet environment. It is important to try and listen to everyday sounds, as a quiet environment tends to make hyperacusis worse.

This program helps!

An auditory desensitization program will be more effective if you follow a behavior modification program at the same time. A clinical psychologist can help design an individual program for you. This aims to break down any routines that you may have developed to avoid noisy situations. It should also help you control the anxiety patterns that you may have developed because of the pain and distress caused by certain sounds.

Auditory desensitisation

As part of your treatment for hyperacusis you may be offered auditory desensitisation as part of an auditory retraining programme. This should be available through an audiology department and is usually carried out by an audiologist or hearing therapist.
It aims to help improve the level of noise you can tolerate and involves listening to different types of sound known as ‘white’, ‘broadband ‘or ‘pink’ noise on a daily basis. This is played through small noise generators which you wear in your ear canal. You start by listening to a very low level of noise for a very short time. The level and length of time is gradually increased. Some people may find this gives them initial relief, but auditory desensitisation is usually a long process and you may need to follow this treatment for at least 12 months to get a long-term positive effect.

What kind of treatment is available for hyperacuses?

If you think you have hyperacusis you should visit your GP.
They may refer you to a specialist in audiology/audiological medicine or the ear, nose and throat (ENT) department in your local hospital. They will be able to investigate your hearing system to try to find a cause for your hyperacusis and to advise you on the most appropriate treatment.
You may need specialised hearing therapy, usually from a hearing therapist. You may also be referred to a clinical psychologist or behavioural therapist to help you manage the anxiety, phobia, stress and avoidance, which are associated with hyperacusis and may make it worse.

What causes hyperacusis?

There are probably a number of different causes of hyperacusis but researchers don’t really have a clear understanding of why some people have it. It is possible that some functions of the hearing system, which normally ‘balance’ sounds and protect the system, may be affected.
When you are in a noisy environment your brain sends 'information' about loud noise back to the inner ear, so that the 'volume' can be turned down and the inner ear can be protected. It is thought that damage to this feedback mechanism may be an underlying cause of hyperacusis.
Our brain also plays a vital role in processing the sound signals it receives from the inner ear. Problems in the way these signals are processed could be another cause of hyperacusis.We do know that some people first develop hyperacusis after sudden exposure to very high levels of sound or after a head injury. This may damage delicate structures within the inner ear, which could lead to hyperacusis.

What does hyperacusis feel like?

What does it feel like to have hyperacusis?
If you have hyperacusis it might feel painful or startling. It may make you feel angry, distressed or anxious. You may find yourself panicking when you try to get away from the sound.
You may find that after being exposed to an uncomfortable sound the discomfort continues for a period of time afterwards and becomes worse if you hear the sound again.
Your reaction to an uncomfortable sound may be made worse if you are in an environment where you expect to hear the sound. When you are afraid of hearing a sound, you may become anxious, which increases your discomfort, and when you are afraid or stressed the brain produces substances, which increase the sensitivity to sound.
However, everyone reacts differently to hyperacusis.

This is Hyperacusis

What is hyperacusis?
If you have hyperacusis you will have an increased sensitivity to sounds. This means that you may feel pain or discomfort when you hear sounds that most people are able to tolerate. People with hyperacusis are not all affected by the same type of sounds.
You can get hyperacusis on its own or with a range of other conditions such as depression, migraine, Menière's disease, chronic fatigue syndrome and visual over-sensitivity.
If you have hyperacusis you may also have tinnitus. This is the word for noises that some people hear in the ears or in the head - buzzing, ringing, whistling, hissing and other sounds.
You may also find that the area around your ear is painful or aches.

Tinnitus and the deaf

People often think that someone who is severely or profoundly deaf will not get tinnitus. This is not true.
Your local audiology department will be able to discuss the options available to help you manage tinnitus. These could include counselling, relaxation therapy, neurophysiologically based management and cognitive behavioural therapy. You should also make the most of any support available from friends, family or support groups.

Would digital hearing aids help my tinnitus?

Hearing loss and tinnitus are commonly associated. However, many people who experience tinnitus have normal hearing. If you have a hearing loss, the lack of background sound can make tinnitus more noticeable.
If you wear a hearing aid it will help you to hear better and make tinnitus less noticeable. It will ease the strain of communication, which may make you feel more relaxed, and it will amplify background sounds.
You should always get advice from an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser if you are considering using hearing aids.

How can I stop my tinnitus waking me up and stopping me from sleeping?

I know that all tinnitus sufferers want the answer to this question, so here it is:
It is probably not the tinnitus that is waking you up. Usually tinnitus is the first sound you hear when you wake up naturally during the night. As there is very little background sound, the tinnitus may appear louder because there is no other sound for the brain to listen to.
The RNID Shop sells bedside sound generators that can be used at night to provide background noise. There are other ways to introduce background sound, for example leaving a radio on which is tuned between stations or the noise of a fan.

• How can I help myself while I wait to visit the tinnitus clinic?

You may find that understanding more about tinnitus can be beneficial. So, research as much as you can on this condition. I have a lot of useful information on this blog. You may also find it helpful to join a tinnitus support group, and share experiences and tips with other people who have tinnitus.

What help is available for my tinnitus?

Although there are no miracle cures for tinnitus, you can get
help to help you manage tinnitus.
Many hospitals in the UK now have tinnitus
clinics, which offer specialised help and advice. They often recommend a
combination of relaxation exercises, sound therapy and counselling.
There are
also tinnitus support groups around the UK, whose members meet to discuss
issues relating to tinnitus. Most of these groups are affiliated to the British Tinnitus
Association (external link, opens new browser window) (BTA). For details of these groups please contact RNID's Tinnitus helpline (external
link).

Are stress and Tinnitus linked?

Stress and tinnitus are strongly linked. In some cases, such as bereavement, stress can actually causes tinnitus. However, generally it may exacerbate it. Stress caused from worrying about tinnitus can increase muscle tension, anxiety and irritability, making your tinnitus worse and leading to an increase in stress, which becomes a vicious circle.
Research has shown that the more you can relax, the easier it is to manage tinnitus. And relaxing doesn't need to be difficult or costly. If you take a walk or have a warm bath it can help.

Ever wondered this?

I've just come home from a gig and my ears are ringing. Have I suffered any permanent damage?

If your tinnitus has been caused by exposure to loud noise, for example from a rock concert or night club, then it is likely that the tinnitus will go within a day or so. However, although it is temporary, this should act as a warning that you have exposed you ears to a higher level of noise than they are comfortable with. If you let this happen frequently then it is possible that the tinnitus or any dullness of hearing, or both, may become permanent.
You should wear ear protection to protect your ears from damage when you are exposed to loud noise either at work or during leisure activities.
RNID's "Don't Lose the Music" campaign encourages people to take proper care of their hearing so that they can continue to enjoy music. Find out more about the campaign at the Don't Lose the Music website (external link, opens new browser window).

no 'miracle pill' but yes help

· Is there a cure for tinnitus?
There is no "miracle pill" that will stop tinnitus unless there is an underlying cause, for example an ear infection. A lot of research is being done to help develop a cure. RNID has awarded grants to research projects to help find out more about the condition and is also working with pharmaceutical companies to help develop treatments.
Although there is no cure, help is available. If your tinnitus is troubling you, you should seek medical advice and contact your GP.

sensitivity to sound

Around 40% of people with tinnitus report general sensitivity to sounds.
There are two main forms of sensitivity to sound: hyperacusis and misophonia. If you have hyperacusis you may find everyday sounds uncomfortably or painfully loud, even when they do not bother other people. If you have misophonia, also known as noise annoyance, you may find specific sounds extremely irritating, although you may not be particularly sensitive to sounds in general. If your dislike is strong enough to be considered a phobia then the term phonophobia is used.
Hyperacusis and misophonia can be treated with habituation therapy and sound therapy, which can be provided in a tinnitus clinic. You can find out more about hyperacusis in our hyperacusis factsheet.
www.rnid.org.uk

several drugs try to help tinnitus

Several New Treatments Tried To Stop Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a constant ringing in the ears that affects millions of people. Now, new treatments are getting closer to quieting the noise for good.
Every second of every day, Joyce Lajeunesse has ringing in her right ear.
"Just kind of a humming, like an electrical humming, and it's constant," said Laieunesse.
The ringing, called tinnitus, came on suddenly five years ago.
"I truly did expect it to go away," she said. "Just figured it was something connected with the ear plugging up or something."
But it stuck around and now follows her everywhere.
"I hear it right now while we are talking," she said.
Dr. Jay Piccirillo says at least 50 million Americans have tinnitus.
"There is no drug that we can give them," said Dr. Piccirillo of Washington University. "There is no surgery that we can do or device that we can put in the ear to cure the tinnitus."
But there is help for people with sleep problems as a result of their tinnitus. A new study shows melatonin lessens the ringing and significantly improves sleep.
"I would definitely think that patients with tinnitus who are having problems sleeping should consider melatonin," said Dr. Piccirillo.
Another small study shows injecting botox around the ear might also help. Dr. Piccirillo is also Studying a procedure called transcranial magnetic stimulation in which a magnetic device stimulates certain areas in the brain. Early studies are promising.
Joyce was in a study on melatonin to help the ringing and her sleep.
"I had more energy in the mornings," said Joyce. "I woke up more refreshed than I had been, and that was wonderful."
source- wftv.com
Dr. Piccirillo says other sufferers could easily get the same benefit because melatonin is available over the counter.
Though all three methods are showing success in helping lessen the ringing, Dr. Piccirillo says there is still no cure for the condition.
But, some patients have had success using anti-anxiety drugs.

Check it out!

Everyone, check out this video on tinnitus. I love it, it's very moving! Here is the link:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=865486000&n=2

ata.org

Great organization dedicated to helping tinnitus patients: American Tinnitus Association. Here is the wite: www.ata.org.
ATA offers financial assistance -- up to $1500 per person -- to people who cannot afford health care services for their tinnitus. The FDL Tinnitus Assistance Fund's generous anonymous donor recently donated an additional $25,000 to the fund.If you need financial assistance to help pay for your tinnitus care, click here. To add your donation to this worthy cause, click here.

Sleeping with Tinnitus

Many people with tinnitus find lack of sleep to be their greatest problem. Most people do not know that our quality and pattern of sleep naturally change as we get older. When we are young we may need anything between seven and nine hours of sleep per night, but as we get older we may feel refreshed after only five or six. Also older people do not typically sleep as deeply as younger adults.
If we wake up very frequently during the night, we may be under the impression that we have not slept at all. However true insomnia is very rare and most people find they have slept more than they thought. However many people do experience periods where they have difficulty getting to sleep and this may cause or make anxiety worse.
Approximately 50% of people with tinnitus report difficulty in sleeping, because they find their tinnitus keeps them awake. People are also sometimes under the false impression that their tinnitus wakes them up during the night. What's more likely is that someone thinks their tinnitus has woken them because they hear it as soon as they wake up. Anyone worrying about their tinnitus during these awakenings will also stay awake longer.
Sound therapy is one way of dealing with this problem. By introducing a low level of sound into the bedroom (such as white noise, the sound of the radio tuned in between stations) you provide an additional sound for your brain to listen to.

The following tips may also be used to encourage natural sleep:
Try relaxation exercises. Classes and tapes are widely available.
Go to bed when you feel sleepy, not just because it is a certain time.
Get up at the same time every day.
Try to limit the amount of caffeine (found in tea, coffee, cola and chocolate) and nicotine you take late at night as these are stimulants.
Keep your room at a temperature that is neither too cold nor too hot.
Don’t read or watch television in bed before trying to go to sleep, these will only make you feel more alert.
'Wind down' for at least an hour before bedtime – have a warm bath (not too hot), milky drink or listen to some relaxing music.

Supplements may help hearing loss

A U.S. study says a combination of anti-oxidants and minerals may help prevent hearing loss.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that guinea pigs who were given an anti-oxidant-mineral combination were protected from hearing damage for days after exposure to loud noise, the university said in a release.
The report says the findings could lead to the development of a nutrition bar that would protect soldiers from battle-related hearing loss.
Guinea pigs were given high doses of vitamins A, C, and E and magnesium one hour before noise exposure and continued as a once-daily treatment for five days.
Josef M. Miller, a professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the UM Medical School is the senior author of the study, published online in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine. He has launched a startup company, OtoMedicine, that is developing the vitamin-and-magnesium formulation.
"Ultimately, we envision soldiers would have a nutritional bar with meals and it would give them adequate daily protection," said Miller.

Treatments for Tinnitus

Biofeedback
Useful as a stress reduction tool, biofeedback may help some people.

Accupuncture
May provide temporary relief to some people. One contributor reports significant relief that enabled him to avoid the heavy-duty anti-depressants that his Western physician had prescribed.

Stress Reduction
Many people say their tinnitus is more active when they're tired and stressed out. Get a good night's sleep and avoid unnecessary stress.

Hearing Aids
Some people with severe tinnitus may benefit from hearing aids that bring normal speech sounds above the background tinnitus sounds. In addition to amplification, hearing aids may be useful as maskers when they also introduce white noise into the sound stream.

Cranial Sacral Therapy
There is anecdotal evidence of help for tinnitus through cranial sacral therapy by osteopaths and chiropractors.

Electrical Stimulation
Various electrode placements with various vol frequencies may provide some relief. External, ear canal, transtympanic, middle ear, and cochlear electrodes have all been tried. Side effects may include pain, and alterations to sense of ssmell. In one study of electrical stimulation on the round window, 3 out of 5 patients experienced some relief when frequencies of 40 Hz or less were applied.

Surgically Severing the Auditory Nerves
An Eighth Nerve section is the treatment of last resort. You will be totally deaf. But beware - if your tinnitus originates somewhere inside the brain, you will be totally deaf AND still have tinnitus. A prominent American tinnitus specialist says this surgery should never be done for tinnitus, since he knows of patients whose tinnitus INCREASED to suicidal levels afterward.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
This treatment is supposed to be beneficial when the tinnitus is thought to be due to a lack of oxygen for the hearing mechanism. It may be more effective for recent onset cases rather than long-term ones.

Protect your hearing!

Short-term exposure to loud noises, such as explosions, fireworks, or jet engines can cause hearing loss. But so can longer-term exposure to noises that aren't so loud. Even listening to your MP3 player too loud or too long can damage your hearing.
The loudness of a sound is measured in decibels (dB). Sounds that are louder than 85 dB can cause hearing loss. The higher the decibels, the shorter the amount of time you can be exposed to the sound before hearing loss occurs. For example, 8 hours at 85 dB causes as much damage as 4 hours at 88 dB, 2 hours at 91 dB, or just 15 minutes at 100 dB. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety recommends ear protection for people exposed to sounds of 85 dB or higher. Otherwise, you risk permanent hearing loss.
Some of your daily activities may be noisier than you think! Here are the decibel ratings of some common sounds:
firecracker: 150 dB
ambulance siren or airplane taking off: 120 dB
nightclub: 120 dB
movie theatre: up to 117 dB
rock concert: 110-125 dB
listening to music with headphones: 105-120 dB if the volume is cranked up to the maximum setting (earbuds, such as those found with popular music-listening devices like MP3 and CD players, can add 6-9 dB to the volume)
motorcycle: 95 dB
noisy restaurant or heavy traffic in the city: 85 dB
riding in a car: 70 dB
normal conversation: 60 dB
fridge humming: 40 dB
whispering: 30 dB
Here's how to protect yourself from noise-related hearing loss:
Wear ear protection (ear plugs or ear muffs) if you'll be exposed to sounds over 85 dB. Generally, a sound is too loud if you can't hear a person talking 1 metre (3 feet) away.
If your workplace is noisy, wear the recommended ear protection all the time! If you have questions about ear protection on the job, contact the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.
Follow the 60-60 rule for your personal music device (such as your MP3 or CD player): listen at 60% of the maximum volume for up to 60 minutes per day. Any more than this can lead to permanent hearing loss. And be careful you don't turn up the sound too high when you're in noisy surroundings, such as public transit.
Check it out!Some medical conditions, such as ear infections, can lead to hearing loss if not treated. And other causes of hearing loss, such as earwax and damaged eardrums, can be treated to improve hearing. Have regular medical check-ups to find health conditions and nip them in the bud. The Canadian Hearing Society recommends a hearing test every 2 years, or more often if you have concerns about your hearing.
Watch out for the "what"?Keep an ear out for the early signs of hearing loss. Read "Could you be losing your hearing?" to learn what to listen for. If you notice these signs, talk to your doctor or audiologist about having a hearing test. Getting help early can stop some types of hearing loss from getting worse and help you cope with others.

Drugs for Tinnitus

Anti-Depressants, Tranquilizers,and Muscle Relaxants

Anti-drepressants are drugs used to prevent or relieve mental depression. Tranquilizers are drugs that promote tranquility by calming, soothing, quieting, or pacifying without drpressant effects. Muscle relaxants are drugs that reduce tension in the muscle.
Many tinnitus sufferers become depressed from having to deal with the constant noise. Treating the depression may make the tinnitus seem less severe. But beware that certain ototoxic anti-depressants may worsen tinnitus. SSRI anti-depressants may temporarily worsen tinnitus for the first few weeks, but risk fewer side-effects as compared to the older tricyclic drugs.
Tricyclic anti-depressants, such as Nortriptyline and benzodiazepines, such as Alprazolam (Xanax) were used in one study in which some people reported improvement.
Possible reasons:
Patients just think they feel better (placebo effect).
Since these drugs are central nervous system depressants, auditory responsiveness diminishes.
Tinnitus is stress-related - i.e. muscle tension in neck & jaw restricts blood and lymph flow.

Alcohol drug improves ringing in ears

While it may not sound like a drug for ear troubles, researchers believe acamprosate (Campral), a medication used for alcohol dependence treatment, is actually effective at improving ringing in the ears.
In a small study, two Brazilian doctors found that taking Campral led to a decline in symptoms of tinnitus, a disorder that results in ringing or noises in the ear.
Out of 50 patients, some provided with Campral and others with a placebo (an inactive fake medication), more than 80% of those who took Campral said their tinnitus problems lessened.
About half of the group taking Campral said their symptoms decreased by nearly 50%.
"That's a very significant decrease," note Dr. Andréia Aparecida de Azevedo and Dr. Ricardo Rodrigues Figueiredo, lead authors of the study, which will be presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.
People taking the placebo did not show significant improvement.
Both groups observed were asked to quantify their tinnitus on a scale of 1 to 10 over the course of 30, 60 and 90 days.
The researchers note that age, gender, hearing level and the type of tinnitus suffered from did not make any difference in the effectiveness of the treatment.
As for the reasons why an alcohol-treatment medication is effective for tinnitus, the researchers note that Campral is able to affect both auditory pathways and the central nervous system.
The investigators do emphasize their study was quite small and more research is needed.

50 million!

Otolaryngologist Jay Piccirillo, M.D., of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, says at least 50 million Americans have tinnitus. "There is no drug that we can give them. There is no surgery that we can do or device that we can put in the ear to cure the tinnitus."
But there is help for people with sleep problems as a result of their tinnitus. A new study shows melatonin lessens the ringing and significantly improves sleep.
"I would definitely think that patients with tinnitus who are having problems sleeping should consider melatonin," Dr. Piccirillo said.
Another small study shows injecting Botox around the ear might also help. Dr. Piccirillo is also studying a procedure called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) -- where a magnetic device stimulates certain areas in the brain. Early studies are promising.
LaJeunesse was in a study on melatonin to help the ringing and her sleep. "I had more energy in the mornings," she said. "I woke up more refreshed than I had been, and that was wonderful."
Dr. Piccirillo says other sufferers could easily get the same benefit, since melatonin is available over the counter. Though all three methods are showing success in helping lessen the ringing, he says there is still no cure for tinnitus. He says seeking help from a professional hearing expert is the best first step to take. Other medications, like anti-anxiety drugs, are also used for tinnitus with some success.

What is available?

What vitamins are available for treating tinnitus?
Niacin
Lecithin
Zinc
Magnesium


What herbs are available for treating tinnitus?
Gingko Biloba


What other treatments are available for tinnitus?
Surgery
Biofeedback
Accupuncture
Stress Reduction
Hearing Aids
Cranial Sacral Therapy
Electrical Stimulation
Surgically Severing the Auditory Nerves
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Feedback Therapy
Auditory Integration Training
Sound Therapy
Hypnotherapy
Homeopathic Remedies
Temporomandibular Disorder and Coexisting Tinnitus

Refresher

Tinnitus (ti-NIGHT-us or TIN-i-tus) is the perception of sound in the absence of a corresponding external sound. It can be perceived in one or both ears or in the head. Tinnitus is the Latin word for "ringing", and usually it is described as a ringing noise, but in some patients it takes the form of a buzzing, hissing, humming, or whistling sound, ticking, clicking, roaring, "crickets," tunes, or songs. It has also been described as a "whooshing" sound, as of wind or waves.
Tinnitus is not itself a disease, but an unwelcome symptom resulting from a range of underlying causes, including ear infections, foreign objects or wax in the ear, and injury from loud noises, as may have been experienced by war veterans (bombardments, shelling, etc.). Tinnitus is also a side-effect of some oral medications.

Mechanisms of Subjective Tinnitus

The inner ear contains thousands of minute hairs which vibrate in response to sound waves. Receptor cells (hair cells) in turn send signals to the brain, which are interpreted as sound. Although receptor cells can be regenerated from the adjacent supporting Deiters cells after injury in birds, reptiles, and amphibians, in mammals it is believed that they can be produced only during embryogenesis. Although mammalian Deiters cells reproduce and position themselves appropriately for regeneration, they have not been observed to transdifferentiate into receptor cells except in tissue culture experiments. Therefore, if these hairs become damaged, through prolonged exposure to excessive decibel levels, for instance, then deafness to certain frequencies occurs. In tinnitus, they may falsely relay information at a certain frequency that an externally audible sound is present, when it is not.
The mechanisms of subjective tinnitus are often obscure. While it is not surprising that direct trauma to the inner ear can cause tinnitus, other apparent causes (e.g., TMJ and dental disorders) are difficult to explain. Recent research has proposed that there are two distinct categories of subjective tinnitus: otic tinnitus, caused by disorders of the inner ear or the acoustic nerve; and somatic tinnitus, caused by disorders outside the ear and nerve, but still within the head or neck. It is further hypothesized that somatic tinnitus may be due to "central crosstalk" within the brain, as certain head and neck nerves enter the brain near regions known to be involved in hearing.
source- Wikipedia

Drugs available

Here is a list that I found truly useful. It links to information on the different drugs used to treat tinnitus.

What drugs are available for treating tinnitus?

Anti-Depressants, Tranquilizers, and Muscle Relaxants
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Klonopin
Anti-Convulsants
Intravenous Lidocaine
Tocainide Hydrochloride
Histamine
Anti-Histamine
Meclizine
DMSO
Vinpocetine and Vincamine
Hydergine
Sodium Fluoride
Vasodilators
Diuretics
Betahistine Hydrochloride (SERC)
Caroverine
Carbogen

Action for Tinnitus Research

Recent surveys and anecdotal evidence highlights the poor treatment that tinnitus sufferers receive from the NHS. The main problem for GPs is not one of diagnosis. That is easy. However, the problem is that there are insufficient secondary care services: from consultants to support services. The service is inconsistent. Some GPs give basic advice and support, while others neither have the time nor the knowledge to give even that... ATR is calling for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to offer national, consistent guidelines for identifying and dealing with tinnitus. The campaign, which is being backed by Dr Nick Palmer MP, encourages everyone to get involved: healthcare professionals, patients, carers, and the public. Make a big difference to tinnitus sufferers in the UK! Suggest Tinnitus as a topic to be investigated by NICE. Completing the NICE form The NICE website form is easy enough to complete. It may take you ten minutes, however it is worth the effort! It asks for your name, email address, role i.e. patient, healthcare worker etc., location, and whether you are responding as an individual or organisation. Please answer from your perspective and your own knowledge. However to help you, here are some tips to make it easier to complete the form. The detail you need to complete: Topic suggestion: consistent guidelines for identifying and dealing with tinnitus Clinical or public health area suggestion most closely applies to? Ear and nose Specific illness or condition suggestion aims to treat or prevent: Tinnitus Aspect(s) of this illness/condition or behaviour suggestion focus on? Tick the following: Investigation/assessment, Diagnosis/identification, Referral, Individual treatment, Management/pathway of care, Service delivery What group(s) of patients or the general public does your suggestion apply to? 10% of the UK population – across all demographics - who have tinnitus Where is the care associated with your suggestion given? Primary care Why you think there is a need for guidance on your suggestion in the NHS? Variation in prescription/practice, Inappropriate use/practice, Variation in access to treatment/care Other information about you that is relevant to your topic suggestion? Provide information from your persepctive, i.e. I am a tinnitus sufferer, I am a GP with tinnitus patients Statement on the extent and quality of the evidence base: Only complete is you have insight and information Data protection section: answer in terms of your own experience. Thank you for taking the trouble to complete the form… Action for Tinnitus Research

More causes of Subjective Tinnitus

chemotherapy drugs:
bleomycin
cisplatin
mechlorethamine
methotrexate
vincristine
loop diuretics:
bumetanide
ethacrynic acid
furosemide

others:
chloroquine
quinine
mercury
lead

neurologic disorders:
multiple sclerosis
head injury
skull fracture
closed head injury
whiplash injury
temporomandibular joint disorder

metabolic disorders:
thyroid disorder
hyperlipidemia
vitamin B12 deficiency

psychogenic disorders:
depression
anxiety

other disorders:
fibromyalgia

causes of subjective Tinnitus

Tinnitus can have many different causes, but most commonly results from otologic disorders - the same conditions that cause hearing loss. The most common cause is noise-induced hearing loss, resulting from exposure to excessive or loud noises. Ototoxic drugs can cause tinnitus either secondary to hearing loss or without hearing loss, and may increase the damage done by exposure to loud noise, even at doses that are not in themselves ototoxic.

Objective Tinnitus

In a minority of cases, a clinician can perceive an actual sound (e.g., a bruit) emanating from the patient's ears. This is called objective tinnitus. Objective tinnitus can arise from muscle spasms that cause clicks or crackling around the middle ear. Some people experience a sound that beats in time with the pulse (pulsatile tinnitus). Pulsatile tinnitus is usually objective in nature, resulting from altered blood flow or increased blood turbulence near the ear (such as from atherosclerosis or venous hum), but it can also arise as a subjective phenomenon from an increased awareness of blood flow in the ear. Rarely, pulsatile tinnitus may be a symptom of potentially life-threatening conditions such as carotid artery aneurysm or dissection .

Effective treatments for objective and subjective tinnitus

Effective treatments include:

Objective tinnitus:
Gamma knife radiosurgery (glomus jugulare)
Shielding of cochlea by teflon implant
Botulinum toxin (palatal tremor)
Propranolol and clonazepam (arterial anatomic variation)
Subjective tinnitus:
Drugs and nutrients
Avoidance of caffeine, nicotine, salt
Avoidance of or consumption of alcohol

Zinc supplementation (where serum zinc deficiency is present)
Acamprosate Etidronate or sodium fluoride (otosclerosis)
Lignocaine or anticonvulsants (usually in patients responsive to white noise masking)
Carbemazepine

Melatonin (especially for those with sleep disturbance)
Sertraline Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine

Prevention of Tinnitus

Because tinnitus and hearing loss can be permanent conditions, precautionary measures are advisable. If a ringing in the ears is audible after exposure to a loud environment, such as a rock concert or work place, it means that damage is being done. Prolonged exposure to noise levels as low as 70 dB can result in damage to hearing. If it is not possible to limit exposure, earplugs or ear defenders should be worn. For musicians and DJs, special musicians' earplugs can lower the volume of the music without distorting the sound and can prevent tinnitus from developing in later years.It is also important to check medications for potential ototoxicity. Ototoxicity can be cumulative between medications, or can greatly increase the damage done by noise. If ototoxic medications must be administered, close attention by the physician to prescription details, such as dose and dosage interval, can reduce the damage done.

iPod addiction

For iPod users, a budding problem
By Mary Brophy Marcus, Special to USA TODAY
Seattle-based builder and author Pete Nelson blasts his iPod to drown out the sound of his power tools when he works. He cranks it up when he skis and even listens to the portable music player while working at his computer."I'm having a love affair with my iPod," says Nelson, whose wife, 15-year-old daughter and 13-year-old twin sons all have iPod addictions.
They're like millions of other Americans who listen to their MP3s for hours each day.
Apple has sold more than 40 million iPods since they hit the market in 2001. Last year, 14 million were snatched up in the fourth quarter alone. Those figures don't include purchases of iRiver, Sony and other brands of MP3 players.
But lately it seems a backlash may be brewing against MP3 players with claims that the gadgets, which typically are used with dime-sized, disc-shaped earphones called ear buds, can cause hearing loss:
• Last month, a Louisiana man filed a federal lawsuit against Apple claiming iPods cause hearing damage.
• Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., wrote a letter to the director of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders in January, calling for a review of the scientific information on the effect of portable music players on hearing loss. He also asked for recommendations to help consumers avoid potential damage from MP3 players.
• In France, the government has set a limit of 100 decibels in MP3 players, and Apple has made adjustments. Company executives, when contacted for this report, declined to comment on the maximum volume an American-sold iPod can reach.But independent testing showed that maximum volumes hovered in the 120-decibel range, about the level of a jet plane taking off, says audiologist Brian Fligor, a hearing expert at Children's Hospital Boston.
According to the deafness institute, almost 28 million Americans have hearing loss. One-third have damage because of loud noise.
Very few documented cases of noise-induced hearing loss are tracked to long-term use of handheld stereos alone, but more research is needed, Fligor says.
Fligor is researching safe-listening levels in MP3s. He and colleagues published a study in 2004 that determined safe-listening levels with portable music players such as the Sony Walkman; the study found that one hour a day at about 60% volume was safe. Preliminary results of the MP3 study show figures in the same ballpark, he says.
Hearing loss is preventable
If it's not healthy, why give listeners the option to pump it up to 120 decibels? Pure pleasure, Fligor says.
"There are just some songs you want to rock out on," says iPod user and Texas musician Bob Schneider, 40, who has been performing for 17 years and concedes he probably has some hearing damage. "At this stage of the game, I still play the music pretty loud. I can still hear pretty well, but that might be a whole different story when I'm 60."
By then, it might be too late for Schneider or families such as the Nelsons who sometimes listen to their MP3s more than three hours a day.
Using earphones for hours at high volumes basically causes "shock and awe" to delicate hair-like cells deep within the inner ear that help the brain process sound, says Ron Eavey, director of pediatric otolaryngology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. After years of abuse, those structures won't function anymore, he says.
Nelson, 43, is concerned about hearing loss and already experiences ringing in the ears, called tinnitus, which is a symptom of damage. But he says he has no plans to cut back on his MP3 use.
Noise-induced hearing loss is preventable, says Pam Mason, an audiologist with the American Speech and Hearing Association in Rockville, Md.
Mason suggests dishing out the cash for a good pair of earphones. Sound-isolating earphones made by companies such as Future Sonics, Shure and Etymotic reduce ambient noise outside the ears so that listeners don't have to pump up the volume as high.
"People think if they listen at a lower volume, they won't get the same quality of sound. But good headphones actually allow you to hear more detailed nuances in the music without the high frequencies that do damage," says Marty Garcia, founder of Philadelphia-based Future Sonics.
Boston-based Bose and other companies sell another option: noise-canceling headphones. Battery-driven, they cover the entire outer ear and work by picking up ambient noise outside the headphones and then emitting a counter frequency that cancels out the incoming noise. This technology also allows a user to reduce the volume on his MP3 because there is little outside noise to overcome.
No two people are alike, so it's difficult to predict who will develop hearing loss, experts say.
But if you have tinnitus, find that noises sound muffled, experience temporary hearing loss after a loud concert or have difficulty hearing someone 3 feet away, you need to get your hearing tested.
Apple and other MP3 player manufacturers can help listeners by reducing volume levels, experts say. But in the end, it is up to the user. Says Harvard's Eavey: "It's like using sunblock to prevent skin cancer. Ultimately, iPod users need to make the right choices to avoid hearing loss."