Sufferers of Tinnitus unite

[Archie F. Swin]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinnitus
I can't even stand to be in a silent room. Must have noise to mask the ringing in my ears.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by GoHuge

Tinnitus is usually caused from a high frequency hearing loss. I'm a PA for an ENT. The only real treatment for it is usually some type of hearing aid. Rebuilding the OCR (Ossicular chain) Malles, Stapes, Incus usually doesn't help much unless you've had some type of blunt trauma to the head or an acute or chronic process which could be, but not limited to otitis media, cholesteatoma, mastoiditis, etc.....Don't waste your money on hocus pocus cures because that's exactly what you'll be doing. Go get a baseline audiogram and see an ENT if the problems persist. There is no known cure for tinnitus.

PM me if you have any questions.

My tinnitus is getting worse, particularly in my left ear. I would get a hold of GoHuge to ask questions, but he hasn't been around since August of last year.

If anyone else has any expertise in this area, I would love to pick your brain for some info.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Bowser

My tinnitus is getting worse, particularly in my left ear. I would get a hold of GoHuge to ask questions, but he hasn't been around since August of last year.

If anyone else has any expertise in this area, I would love to pick your brain for some info.

I'm no doctor, but as I understand it, the bottom line is that you're suffering hearing loss in the higher frequency range. Good hearing aids -- which is a step I haven't yet taken -- will probably alleviate or remove the tinnitus as well as improving your hearing.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

I had a follow up with a world renowned specialist in researching hearing loss, etc. at Mass. Eye and Ear and she said the same thing. As I understand it, the brain is saying "hey, there's no sound coming from the ears at the higher frequencies, so I'll create one".

WTF? It'd be like the brain creating annoying bright light to "compensate" for the vision loss of a blind person. It doesn't ****ing do that, so why does it do THIS??

What conclusions did your doc give you? Any course of action worth taking? I've read that you can have surgery to attempt to repair the damage in your ear, but it's an iffy situation at best that surgery will help anything at all.

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Depends if he did it legit or took shortcuts

I mean, I know you're sticking the Pats fan with a stick (probably deservedly so, heh), but I would totally take my team making semi-regular appearances in the Super Bowl. The rest of the country could eat it with their accusations. Part of the reason why the Pats are reaching Bronco and Steeler territory with me.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Depends if he did it legit or took shortcuts

Sure. Belichick took a silly shortcut 10 years ago. Wasn't exactly like he murdered someone to steal a gameplan. Pretty much the exact opposite actually. But he shouldn't have done it and the team, and he, got whacked pretty hard for it.

But you can hold it against him forever if you want. Doesn't matter to me.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Bowser

What conclusions did your doc give you? Any course of action worth taking? I've read that you can have surgery to attempt to repair the damage in your ear, but it's an iffy situation at best that surgery will help anything at all.

She did not recommend surgery. She mentioned that research is aggressively ongoing in the area of biological remediation -- a way to have people "heal" their hearing loss. Some animals apparently can suffer hearing loss that repairs itself. Humans cannot.

Hearing aids was all that was offered/suggested.

I mean, I know you're sticking the Pats fan with a stick (probably deservedly so, heh), but I would totally take my team making semi-regular appearances in the Super Bowl. The rest of the country could eat it with their accusations. Part of the reason why the Pats are reaching Bronco and Steeler territory with me.

Believe me, I understand perfectly. I remember HATING the old Yankees, and despising how Shula/Marino dominated the AFC East for a long time. I really enjoy the view from up here much more! But eventually it will end. As a Bird-era Celtics fan, I'm more than aware that i need to enjoy it all NOW, and not take it for granted.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

I'm no doctor, but as I understand it, the bottom line is that you're suffering hearing loss in the higher frequency range. Good hearing aids -- which is a step I haven't yet taken -- will probably alleviate or remove the tinnitus as well as improving your hearing.

You're a faster typer than me, obv.

My issue is going to sleep. It doesn't keep me from falling out, but I have to have a fan and usually the TV on helps. It's insane how when I get to a very quiet place the ringing just reaches a ****ing crescendo.

I'm a UPS guy, so 22 years of driving a package car then on to big rigs have done my hearing zero good. I wear a Bluetooth in my right ear when I drive, and I honestly believe that is what has saved that ear (I can hear the ringing in there as well, but nowhere as bad as on the left).

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Bowser

You're a faster typer than me, obv.

My issue is going to sleep. It doesn't keep me from falling out, but I have to have a fan and usually the TV on helps. It's insane how when I get to a very quiet place the ringing just reaches a ****ing crescendo.

Same here, though perhaps not as bad. The quieter the environment, the more the tinnitus is noticeable. My assumption is that the less input the ears are getting the more the brain compensates. I also assume that other noises can just distract us from noticing it.

I admit that I really don't notice it much. It's primarily when I *think* about it. Like now because I'm typing about it.

I'm a UPS guy, so 22 years of driving a package car then on to big rigs have done my hearing zero good. I wear a Bluetooth in my right ear when I drive, and I honestly believe that is what has saved that ear (I can hear the ringing in there as well, but nowhere as bad as on the left).

Yeah, no clue what did my ears in. I used to walk around with a Sony walkman and headset all through high school and college. Probably that as much as anything.

But yeah, hearing loss sucks.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

I'm no doctor, but as I understand it, the bottom line is that you're suffering hearing loss in the higher frequency range. Good hearing aids -- which is a step I haven't yet taken -- will probably alleviate or remove the tinnitus as well as improving your hearing.

I have it pretty bad and have been wearing hearing aids for 5-6 years now. They don't do anything to alleviate it and these aren't cheapo hearing aids either.

I've had tinnitus for so long now that I don't even notice it most of the time. But when I focus on it, it's definitely still there.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

I have it pretty bad and have been wearing hearing aids for 5-6 years now. They don't do anything to alleviate it and these aren't cheapo hearing aids either.

I've had tinnitus for so long now that I don't even notice it most of the time. But when I focus on it, it's definitely still there.

Can I ask how much the hearing aids have helped you? How (un)comfortable are they?

I'm struggling with this. I know I probably really do need them, but I hate the thought of them. I have worn glasses since I was like 13 so I'm comfortable with those, but wearing glasses AND hearing aids before I'm 50 seems so ****ing pathetic.

And I'm really sorry to hear it didn't help your tinnitus, or at least not much. Ugh... Awful.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Can I ask how much the hearing aids have helped you? How (un)comfortable are they?

I'm struggling with this. I know I probably really do need them, but I hate the thought of them. I have worn glasses since I was like 13 so I'm comfortable with those, but wearing glasses AND hearing aids before I'm 50 seems so ****ing pathetic.

And I'm really sorry to hear it didn't help your tinnitus, or at least not much. Ugh... Awful.

They've helped me a ton. Especially watching TV, movies at the theater, normal conversations, etc. I still have a little trouble hearing conversations where there is a lot of background noise but I can tell an improvement. And very comfortable too. When I first got them, NOBODY knew I was wearing them unless I pointed it out to them.

They ain't cheap though.

The nice thing is that I am on my second set and this time my medical insurance paid 80% of the cost. That wasn't the case with my first set.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Can I ask how much the hearing aids have helped you? How (un)comfortable are they?

I'm struggling with this. I know I probably really do need them, but I hate the thought of them. I have worn glasses since I was like 13 so I'm comfortable with those, but wearing glasses AND hearing aids before I'm 50 seems so ****ing pathetic.

And I'm really sorry to hear it didn't help your tinnitus, or at least not much. Ugh... Awful.

I suspect this is in my future as well, though I've at least passed the 50 year mark. I can generally hear pretty well, and am really good at ignoring the tinnitus, but put me in a party situation or a crowded restaurant and I might as well be wearing one of those big metal deep sea diver helmets.

My father in law has hearing aids (artillery officer and helicopter pilot probably contributed), and they're not even noticeable. I was surprised to learn that he has to replace the batteries every week, which adds up, and the hearing aids themselves were several thousand dollars, but it would sure beat not hearing well.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I suspect this is in my future as well, though I've at least passed the 50 year mark. I can generally hear pretty well, and am really good at ignoring the tinnitus, but put me in a party situation or a crowded restaurant and I might as well be wearing one of those big metal deep sea diver helmets.

My father in law has hearing aids (artillery officer and helicopter pilot probably contributed), and they're not even noticeable. I was surprised to learn that he has to replace the batteries every week, which adds up, and the hearing aids themselves were several thousand dollars, but it would sure beat not hearing well.

My first set of hearing aids cost $2400 each and I got two years worth of batteries through my medical insurance. The second set cost $3000 each but as I mentioned previously, my insurance covers $80 of that cost and I still get two years worth of batteries. I change batteries every 6 days on average.

[Nickhead]

the way i understand it, there is no real remedy aside from learning to ignore it. i just turned 43. i have a specialist appointment in may, myself. i did get a free hearing test, and my hearing is fine for my age, left side a little weaker, it's just the constant buzzing.

does anyone know what type of 'causes' besides noises over the years, there are for tinnitus.

[displacedinMN]

Mine started a few months ago. Merry Christmas to me. ENT said the same thing here. It is the brain telling you something is missing-so it will make it for me. I have identified the pitch. Tried listening to that pitch while doing other work (phone app). It goes away for a few minutes then comes back.

It sucks. Add it to the list of things wrong with my body after age 45. At least what counts works well.

[srvy]

Originally Posted by Nickhead

the way i understand it, there is no real remedy aside from learning to ignore it. i just turned 43. i have a specialist appointment in may, myself. i did get a free hearing test, and my hearing is fine for my age, left side a little weaker, it's just the constant buzzing.

does anyone know what type of 'causes' besides noises over the years, there are for tinnitus.

Mine appeared about 10 years ago. Went to a ear specialist said nothing really to do about it but as you my hearing was excellent for my age. He asked me to describe what I was hearing while quite. I said it sounds like a billion pissed off cicadas in high pitched unison. He said yes tinnitus try sleeping with radio on. I remember getting a hefty Bill because back then insurance didn't cover much. I'm watching TV as I post and my friends are buzzing in the background.