Tinnitus: Any hope in the future

[far sider]

Hey guys. I'm 58 and have had tinnitus for about 30 years now. It has always been just an annoyance. But this year the volume has increased A LOT. It's like a very loud dentist's drill in both ears. I have heard that tinnitus can make you suicidal. I always scoffed at that but I'm starting to see why it would be attractive to some people.

I have a few questions and would appreciate any feedback.

1. I know there is not cure but do any of you know of anything that can reduce the volume?

2. Do cochlear implants help tinnitus?

3. Is there anything promising down the road?

My doctor doesn't have any answers.

[Colonel Kangaroo]

According to the Mayo Clinc website, white noise machines often make the condition more bearable. I used those machines for many years when I was working very early morning hours and they helped mask the outside noise of the daytime world when I was trying to sleep.

"White noise machines. These devices, which produce simulated environmental sounds such as falling rain or ocean waves, are often an effective treatment for tinnitus. You may want to try a white noise machine with pillow speakers to help you sleep. Fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air conditioners in the bedroom also may help cover the internal noise at night."

[SanchoP]

The following method may reduce the ringing in your ears, suggests Dr. Jan Strydom, of A2Z of Health, Beauty and Fintess.org. Place the palms of your hands over your ears with fingers resting gently on the back of your head. Your middle fingers should point toward one another just above the base of your skull. Place your index fingers on top of you middle fingers and snap them (the index fingers) onto the skull making a loud, drumming noise. Repeat 40-50 times. Some people experience immediate relief with this method. Repeat several times a day for as long as necessary to reduce tinnitus.
From Here

[far sider]

tinnitus finger drumming cure

Thanks.

[Safrguns]

>>> 2. Do cochlear implants help tinnitus?

Not an option for you.

This is for total hearing loss.

Rush Limbaugh went through this, and had to totally re-learn how to interpret sounds with them.

But he had gone totally deaf.

[Comment Not Approved]

I don’t have ringing in my ears but I tried the trick anyway. Now my ears are ringing.

Any other tricks to get them to stop?

Just kidding ... sorry.

[Gen.Blather]

If you are taking any non-steroidal anti-inflammatories stop. See if it changes the volume. If I take even one pill the volume goes up.

Go to Google and plug in every medication and over the counter drug you are taking and search for side effects. “Naproxen tinnitus,” for example.

Also, what has recently changed since this started? Food, stress, exercise, anything. Make a list. Then start a diary and do some experiments, increasing, decreasing the item in question. Note that it could take days to clear the effects of a single pill.

Good luck.

[njtrucker]

I have tinnitus. Mine is a high pitched sound in both ears. Also have 50% hearing loss. Getting my blood pressure under control cut the volume of my tinnitus about in half. I fall asleep every night with earbuds in listening to podcasts and also keep a fan on for white noise. Hope this helps.

[sarasota]

My ENT said there is a known cure: a drug used in open heart surgery was found to stop the various sounds. Scientists are trying to put it in pill form. My neurologist said that there is no known cure.

[Gay State Conservative]

I'm in no position to give you any advice except this...get yourself to Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary in Boston.It is,hands down,the finest eye,ear,nose and throat center in the world.

Yes,traveling like that is difficult.And depending on your insurance it could be expensive as well.But you'll get the finest care available anywhere in the world.

[sarasota]

Check with your pharmacist. They often are far more helpful than my docs.

[WayneS]

Have you heard of this?

http://www.aurismedical.com/product-candidates/am-101

It is apparently only effective against a particular type of tinnitus, and then only partially, but it might be worth a look.

[WayneS]

Get a new doctor?

[AppyPappy]

“Naproxen tinnitus,”

It woke me up one time when I did a heavy dose for gout but I rarely take it.

[Rytas]

I’m pretty skeptical these days. However it really reduced the noise level! Thanks!

[pabianice]

You’re asking someone who had a career in aviation for over 40 years? 5KHz is gone for me.

[SanchoP]

Ehhh,didn’t work for me but I think I got a buzz off it.

[BuffaloJack]

Is the tinnitus in one or both ears?
Mine was from my right ear only and started about a year ago, when my 5 yo grandson brought home some cold/flu/virus from kindergarten. He gave whatever it was to me and then promptly got over his stuffy ear thing in about a week. I got over the virus, but was left with a permanently stuffed right ear and tinnitus (from the lack of sound).
I thought about a hearing aid, but a 4-figure price is a bit steep. I finally went on line (Amazon) and bought a hearing amplifier (without a doctor’s Rx, it’s a hearing amplifier ($69), with a doctor’s Rx, its called a hearing aid ($1699)).
Tinnitus is gone and I can hear fine now.

[Rubble Rouser]

Try the finger cure.

I have had tinnitus since I was about 10. After reading these posts I tried the finger drumming method. In one minute it reduced the ringing by 90%!!

I have no idea how long this will last, but after 45 years of constant noise, I’ll take what I can get and repeat as necessary:-)

[Ditter]

I have been taking Biotin for about a week for hair regrow after chemo. How long have you been taking it? It would be wonderful if it helped my tinnitus too.

[WayneS]

I just tried it.

It reduced my tinnitus considerably, but my torn rotator cuff is now screaming at me. It did NOT like me having my arms in the required position.

That’s a minor problem, though, because I’m sure my wife and/or teenaged son will be happy to cover my ears and thump me in the back of the head...