Tinnitus Information and Resources Blog

9/11 Still Ringing in Your Ears

2011-02-18T19:21:00.002+01:00

As workers wipe the final traces of the former Deutsche Bank building from the New York Skyline, residents in the Manhattan area can rejoice in the removal of this painful 9/11 reminder and continued threat. Besides reiterating the obvious global dangers our nation faces from terrorists, the presence of this building, shrouded in protective plastic, also reminded residents of the environmental dangers resting just below the surface of some of New York’s structures. Besides finding the remains of 9/11 victims scattered over the room of the damaged building, crews also found toxins like asbestos, lead and mercury, delaying the cleanup of the structure as leaders decided how to remove these toxins.

With the EPA’s addition of the Gowanus Canal to the Agency’s Superfund National Priorities List, neighboring areas might experience a similar level of protective action. Besides the well-known toxins present in the canal itself, including industrial and sewage runoff, buildings in the surrounding area present a constant threat to citizens, especially as improvements are made that can release previously contained toxins.

Asbestos, in particular, represents a great threat when disturbed, which allows its fibers to release in the air to be inhaled or swallowed. Leading to a lethal cancer, mesothelioma symptoms can lie dormant for up to five decades. Furthermore, these symptoms generally appear relatively mild, mimicking other illnesses like pneumonia, which allows the disease to progress into its later stages before treatment is sought.

In addition to the chemical presence New Yorkers had to endure after the 9/11 attacks, over 1,000 new cases of tinnitus were reported, adding to their lingering consequences of this event. However, this condition is not only an annoyance for the victims, but an actual attack on their sanity as they attempt to overcome the trauma of an event. This untreatable condition is just one of the many consequences New Yorkers must face and is further motivation for residents to urge city leaders to make improvements in areas over which they have control, like healthy renovation.

Learning about the specific risks, like mesothelioma, these chemicals pose gives residents greater influence over the nature of renovation taking place in a community. In an area with such a unique character, like Carroll Gardens, preservation of those characteristics is undeniably essential to both its history and identity. However, like any successful community movement, without knowing the issues developers and leaders will use to justify their actions, the voice of citizens deserving the greatest share in the discussion over development will be drown out by approaching jackhammers. Indeed, city leaders and developers respect and recognize detailed petitions detailing the drawbacks of proposals and alternative suggestions.

One useful strategy is to point out the problems brought on by the demolition of older structures, as exemplified by the Deutsche Bank building. Dangerous materials, like asbestos, can permanently be contained through enclosing or encapsulating the product, providing a permanent barrier between the toxin and the outside air. As a cheaper and safer alternative, residents can point to the numerous economic and safety benefits of renovations that seek to improve the community through minor safety adjustments that don’t threaten the unique fiber of the community. By pointing out the high rate of disease, including mesothelioma symptoms, seen throughout New York after the 9/11 attacks, city legislators are sure to be open to discussions regarding how to safely restore communities while simultaneously preserving their historical integrity.

How Stress and Anxiety are Connected to Tinnitus

2007-03-18T11:05:00.000+01:00

Stress can cause many problems and exacerbate others, including Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. Many individuals suffer from this malady and can deal with it on a daily basis until stress levels rise and then the Tinnitus becomes significantly worse. Of course, there are many different reasons why an individual may develop Tinnitus, but stress and anxiety can intensify the effects of the ringing in the ears. Because of this individuals with Tinnitus need to manage the stress in their lives to minimize the effects.

In general, when an individual suffers from tinnitus the body feels as if it is being attacked at all times. So, the effects are never-ending and the body ultimately responds in a physical way with additional problems like insomnia, anxiety, and even depression. Once these responses occur they only serve to intensify the tinnitus, which is just a violent circle. Because of this it is incredibly important for sufferers to find a way to relax and keep their symptoms at bay (as much as possible) instead of stressing out and exacerbating them. Of course, this is much easier to say than to actually implement. But, nevertheless, it is very important to make an effort to achieve. Sufferers of tinnitus know this very well and try their best not to stress out because the ringing in their ears only gets worse.

It is unfortunate that tinnitus makes individuals stress out over their symptoms and then their stressing only causes their symptoms to worsen. Fortunately, for individuals with tinnitus there are ways to get stress under control before it gets out of hand and causes the individual worse ringing in their ears. One example of a way to reduce stress is to simply exercise. It has been proven that exercise really helps individuals relax, forget about what’s bothering them, and simply enjoy life. Those with tinnitus should exercise every single day in order to relax, forget about their ringing ears for just a bit, and hopefully relax enough to keep the symptoms from getting too bad. Another good option for reducing stress is to take part in yoga and meditation and even have a massage on a regular basis.

Nobody wants to have tinnitus and those who do certainly don’t want their symptoms to get any worse than they have to. Due to this individuals suffering from tinnitus should make all efforts to live a low key and relaxing life that has as little stress as possible. And, in addition to this tinnitus sufferers should do their best to exercise and take part in relaxation exercises to keep what stress they do have at bay. Many individuals suffer from tinnitus and of them approximately 90% experience exaggerated symptoms when subjected to stressful situations. Because of this individuals with tinnitus must do all they can in order to reduce stress in their lives so they may live an enjoyable life.

Treatment for Tinnitus

2007-02-11T02:22:00.000+01:00

Treatment for Tinnitus by Mark Goeder-Tarant

If you have Tinnitus, or ringing of the ears, then you certainly want relief and you want it fast. The treatment options for Tinnitus vary significantly depending upon the cause of your problem. Some cases of Tinnitus may be treated successfully while others result in a disability the patient must learn to live with. The most important aspect of treating Tinnitus is determining that the ringing in the ears is not related to a treatable illness but rather resulting due to damage to the ear.

Treatment options that are prescribed for individuals who cannot deal with the constant ringing in their ears include the following.

Antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs are frequently used to treat Tinnitus. Maskers that make white noise, which in turn masks the ringing, have also been used successfully. If you are only bothered by your Tinnitus at night then a fan might be enough to distract you from the noise. You may also play your favorite CD or radio station at a low volume for the same effect.

Some Tinnitus sufferers have found relief from relaxation techniques as well. Biofeedback is yet another treatment method that offers some sufferers relief. The reason these relaxation techniques work well for Tinnitus sufferers is that stress often makes the ailment worse. So, those who suffer from Tinnitus should focus on staying relaxed and stress free to keep their symptoms under control.

Tinnitus sufferers should also keep in mind that caffeine may make their symptoms worse. This means switching out caffeinated colas, teas, and coffees for the decaffeinated versions. Things like chocolate and even some cold medicines have caffeine in them as well and should be limited to keep Tinnitus symptoms under control. Nicotine should be avoided as well, which includes cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products.

One of the most important things you can do if you suffer from Tinnitus is to protect your hearing at all costs. The reason why is that as you lose your hearing your Tinnitus symptoms will worsen. So, if you work in a loud environment, shoot guns, or are exposed to any other loud activity make sure you wear proper hearing protection.

Avoid salt, maintain a good blood pressure, get plenty of sleep, and don’t allow yourself to become anxious. The more anxious you become over your Tinnitus the more difficult it will be to live with. Exercising on a regular basis and avoiding aspirin products are also recommended for Tinnitus sufferers.

Many Tinnitus sufferers have said the best treatment is no treatment at all. They claim that simply ignoring the ringing in the ears is enough to allow it to fade away. Not focusing on it allows sufferers of Tinnitus to move on and enjoy their lives without constantly focusing on the ringing in their ears.
Most people will find their Tinnitus is not curable, although it may be treatable with one or more of the above suggestions. A very small percentage of people will actually have a medical problem that causes the Tinnitus like a tumor. However, most people with Tinnitus simply learn to live with it and find a treatment option that helps them deal with the ringing in their ears.

Tinnitus: Basic Information

2007-01-20T21:37:00.000+01:00

Tinnitus is a disorder that affects millions of individuals all around the world. Commonly people suffering from tinnitus, also known as ringing ears, find it hard to concentrate and lead a normal life. The reason for this is that in some cases the ringing of the ears is so loud that people suffering from tinnitus often develop some sort of sleeping disturbance, most commonly insomnia. In some cases tinnitus can be cured naturally without the need of any specific treatment, but for others treatment is the only way of ever curing it.

Nowadays there are many effective treatments available that are successful for certain cases, but may not work for others, it all depends on the nature of the tinnitus. Shown below is a list of some of the more commonly used tinnitus treatments used. Tinnitus retraining therapy

Tinnitus retraining therapy
(TRT) is a treatment commonly known as, habituation therapy, whereby a patient uses a combination of tinnitus retraining and sound enrichment techniques to reduce the perception of the noises caused by the tinnitus. This method might take some time to master but because there is no official 100 percent effective way of treating tinnitus, many patients are whiling to give this method a try.

Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy is different approach to tinnitus treatment. Basically what’s pretended is a change in the way the patients reacts to the tinnitus rather than trying to cure it.
The therapy requires that the patient together with the doctor indentify the negative impact of tinnitus.

Masking
Masking is a method utilized not to cure tinnitus but rather control its effects. A devise commonly resembling a hearing aid, that is designed to produce low-level sound, is introduced into the ear to eliminate the perception of noise.

Hearing Aids
Some patients with severe tinnitus may in some cases benefit from the use of a hearing aid. By using such a device, the sounds of speech are brought above background tinnitus noise, making it easier for the person to hear other people. Hearing aids could also be used as a means of introducing white noise for blocking chronic tinnitus when sleeping.

Medicines and vitamins
There are some vitamins and a wide range of medicines that can help cure tinnitus. Some of Vitamins include Niacin, Lecithin, Zinc and Magnesium. Medicines that could prove effective include Anti-Depressants, Tranquilizers, and Muscle Relaxants, Alprazolam (Xanax), Klonopin, Anti-Convulsants, Intravenous Lidocaine and Anti-Histamine. Before starting a treatment using any sort of pharmaceutical drugs it is always imperative that a specialized doctor be consulted first.

Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a therapy utilized to teach patients how to relax their muscles and automatic body functions. The main idea is to help people manage stress, which can worsen tinnitus, by changing the way the body responds to it. People using this method have reported that this method if done correctly can drastically decrease tinnitus noise.

Many other forms of treatment are available but because tinnitus can radically vary from person to person only an otolaryngologists can help decide which solution is best suited for each case.

Tinnitus dangers for the IPod generation

2007-01-17T22:24:00.000+01:00

The walkman and portable CD players are yesterday’s news, the iPod generation has officially taken over. These new hip portable music players, commonly known has MP3 players, have taken the world by storm not only by changing the way people perceive their music but also in the way they hear it. With the popularization of the MP3 player, people started listening to music on the go, whilst driving, working, eating, walking, exercising, satisfying their music desires all day long, anywhere and everywhere.
The problem resides in the fact that today’s youth spend hours every day listening to loud music on their MP3 players, frequently without any intervals for long periods of time. But the question we should be asking ourselves is, can these very trendy MP3 players cause earring damage and tinnitus? Pete Townshend, guitarist for the very popular 60’s rock band “The Who” believes that his tinnitus and consequent hearing loss wasn’t a direct result of their incredibly loud live performances but rather from using headphones while in the recording studio. Although the band was notoriously known for their excessively loud concerts, Pete Townshend explained that what really hurt his earring were the many hours he spent in recording studios and from listening to tracks for recreational purposes all through headphones.
Many believe that digital MP3 players introduced even a greater risk of tinnitus because they are more powerful and can hold substantially larger quantities of music. The old cassette walkmans and portable CD players (Discman) where quite large when compared with a MP3 player and because they required Cassettes or CD to play music, users never used them for very long periods of time without intervals. Even the most modest MP3 player can hold hundreds of songs and because these gadgets have a powerful rechargeable battery users can listen to music non stop for hours on end.
Many Specialists have repeatedly warned MP3 users that listening to very loud music with earphones could cause catastrophic and irreversible hearing damage. Furthermore, prolonged use, even if at reasonable moderate volume, could also represent a threat because today’s modern earphones are normally introduced directly into the ear. The concern is so serious that experts have even gone has far as saying that MP3 players should be designed to prevent users from playing music above 90 decibels.
If you are a MP3 user there are a few things you could do to limit your risks of contracting tinnitus. First, always play your music at a moderate volume, remember that it doesn’t take much to damage your hearing. Even occasional users are at risk if music is played too loud. Do not use a MP3 for very long periods of time, according to experts these devices should never be used for longer than one hour per day.
Last of all, if you are a regular MP3 user and think you might have suffered some hearing loss or damage, stop using any type of earphones or listening to loud music and visit a Hearing Specialist.

How to live with tinnitus

2006-10-03T02:35:00.000+02:00

It is not true that there is no treatment for tinnitus. Occasionally, the cause of tinnitus can be treated.
For instance, if the noise in the ears is caused by a middle ear infection, antibiotics may solve the problem.
Here is some simple advice which can help the patient cope with the constant noise of tinnitus:

Learn to relax. Relaxation techniques can be of great benefit.
Try to keep your mind occupied with work or hobbies.
Try not to think of your tinnitus.
Lower the intake of caffeine - so do not drink too much coffee, tea or cola.
Maintain a good sleeping pattern - do not sleep during the day.
Be aware of noise levels.

Reiki- A possible treatment for Tinnitus?

2006-10-03T02:29:00.000+02:00

Reiki an alternative therapy is excellent for any condition, but is particularly suitable for tinnitus and it's causes. Reiki is the 'Universal Life-force Energy' and is increasingly becoming accepted as complementary to both conventional medicine and to other alternative therapies. Working with a trained healer, this energy can work directly on your mental blocks. During my own first treatment, I felt a 'chili bean' in my brain - a very small area of intense energy: my mental block literally being zapped away by the Reiki energy. The following day at work, issues that would have got me annoyed had no effect whatever! You can learn the basics of Reiki treatment in a weekend course and treat yourself.

Mechanisms of subjective tinnitus

2006-10-03T02:20:00.000+02:00

The inner ear contains many thousand 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 volume, 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's 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.

Pulsatile Tinnitus

2006-10-03T01:17:00.000+02:00

In this form of tinnitus the sufferer hears something resembling their heartbeat in their ear. The cause for pulsatile tinnitus usually involves vascular, tumor or muscular causes. A blood vessel may be close to the eardrum, a vascular tumor such as a "glomus" may fill the middle ear, or a vein similar to a varicose vein may make enough noise to be heard. Other pulsatile tinnitus possibilities include dehiscence of the jugular bulb, and an abberently located carotid artery. An enlarged jugular bulb on the involved side is common in persons with venous type pulsatile tinintus.
In persons with pulsatile tinnitus, additional tests may be proposed to study the blood vessels and to check the pressure inside the head. Gentle pressure on the neck can be performed to block the jugular vein but not the carotid artery. The Valsalva maneuver reduces venous return by increasing intrathoracic pressure. If there is a venous hum, this usually abates or improves markedly. If the pulsatile tinnitus pulsation is arterial, these tests have no effects. MRI/MRA or CT is often suggested in younger patients with unilateral pulsatile tinnitus. In older patients, pulsatile tinnitus is often due to atherosclerotic disease and it is less important to get an MRI/MRA. In some cases of pulsatile tinnitus a lumbar puncture may be considered if there is a possibility of benign intracranial hypertension. More invasive pulsatile tinnitus testing includes the "balloon occlusion test", where a balloon is blown up in the internal jugular vein to see if it eliminates pulsatile tinnitus.
It is strongly recommended that all individuals with pulsatile tinnitus locate an excellent physician with interest in the circulatory system and complete a thorough examination. Based on research, which included reviewing 7 otolaryngology textbooks and over 250 research studies, data appears to support the underlying cause for detecting a pulsatile tinnitus as physiologic in nature. That said, there are many, many cases of pulsatile tinnitus that defy diagnosis and identification of the causative agent.

Tinnitus Management

2006-10-01T00:04:00.000+02:00

Tinnitus ("TIN-a-tus" or "Tin-EYE-tus"), more commonly spoken of as "ringing in the ears" or "head noise," has been experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. It is defined as the perception of sound in the head when no external sound is present. In addition to "ringing," head noises have been described as hissing, roaring, pulsing, whooshing, chirping, whistling and
clicking. Ringing and head noises can occur in one ear or both ears, and can be perceived to be occurring inside or outside the ear. It can accompany hearing loss. It can exist independent of a hearing loss.
What should I do? Since tinnitus is a symptom of a problem, the first thing you should do is to try to find out the underlying cause. You should have a medical examination with special attention given to checking factors associated with tinnitus such as blood pressure,
kidney function, medications/drug intake, diet and allergies, emotional stress, noise exposure, and diseases involving the auditory system. Tinnitus can be associated with conditions that occur at all levels of the auditory system. Some of these conditions are impacted wax (external ear); ear infection, middle ear tumors, otosclerosis, vascular problems (middle ear);
Menieres disease, ototoxic medications, circulation disorders, noise-induced hearing loss (inner ear); and, at the central level, 8 th nerve and other tumors, migraine, and epilepsy.

Tinnitus on the rise due to increase in noise levels

2006-09-30T23:47:00.000+02:00

It is no wonder that tinnitus is on the increase, especially amongst younger people. Our ears are assailed daily by noise levels that they were not designed to cope with. It is often said that we have a stone-age body in a 21st Century world. Our ears are capable of picking up tiny sounds that were important for survival in the natural world, for example awareness of prey or predators some distance away.

But if you look at the chart below you can see that many every-day noises such as busy city-centre traffic or even a lawnmower can produce noise levels which, if you are exposed to for too long, can cause hearing damage or even tinnitus. If we take more extreme examples such as a rock concert or nightclub then you can see that hearing damage can occur very quickly. It will come as no surprise then to discover that many performers and disc jockeys suffer from hearing loss and tinnitus.

The chart shows noise levels measured in decibels (abbreviated dB) so here is a brief explanation for anyone unfamiliar with the terminology. The term actually comes from the name of the inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, and the measurement has to take account of the huge variation in intensity of the range of sounds we can hear. So if we take a really quiet sound like a watch ticking or leaves rustling and compare with a loud jet like Concorde at takeoff, then the difference in the power of the sounds is about 1,000,000,000,000 times!

So on the decibel chart, 0dB is near total silence but 10dB is ten times more powerful and 20dB is 100 times more powerful, 30dB is 1000 times more powerful, and so on. A hairdryer at 80dB is one hundred times as loud as normal conversation at 60dB. A rock concert of 120dB is a million times as loud as normal conversation.

Any noise above 80dB can cause hearing loss and the loss is related to the power of the sound and the length of time you are exposed. It is no accident then that from February 2006, the new noise regulations lower threshold for the workplace, when ear protectors must be made available, is reduced from 85dB to 80dB. However, legislation will not apply to the music and entertainment industries until 2008 so avoid excessive noise if you are off to a rock concert and take earplugs with you. This particularly applies to existing tinnitus sufferers. Earplugs can improve the clarity of the sound in these conditions and make conversation easier.

Any exposure to noise above 140dB will cause immediate hearing damage.

Despite the risks, it is amazing what lengths some people will go to in order to create deafening sounds. The current fashion is to install stereo systems in cars with more amplification power than the Rolling Stones used to use to fill a stadium. The stereo is probably worth more than the car but we can predict with certainty that the owners will have hearing problems later in their lives.

Diagnostic Approach to Tinnitus

2006-09-30T16:31:00.000+02:00

I've found a comprehensive article about Tinnitus diagnostic on a level of doctor of general practice. Few accents: vibratory tinnitus: vibrations from adjacent tissues are transfered to cochlea. pulsating t. arises from vascular disorders: aneurysms, acquired arterio-venous shunts Pulsatile t., unilateral t. and t. associated with other unilateral ear problems speak for an organic cause. Subjective t. (heard by patients only) mostly arises from the same condition as the hearing loss: eardrum perforation, noise exposion... Some other causes: Psychologic, Anemia, Thyroid disorder, Drugs: Aspirin, Gentamycin, Furosemid. Lead, mercury. Multiple sclerosis, nerve tumors. Objective t. (heard with stethoscope): Patients tipically have vascular abnormality, neurologic disease or eustahyan tube dysfunction. Diagnostic: otologic examination, sound tests, audiometry. Blood tests (minerals, cells, hormones), MRI (tumors) Notice: *Not all subjective tinnitus have a psychologic cause.* Read the article.

Varying success for medications to relieve Tinnitus

2006-09-29T23:59:00.000+02:00

Many medications have been tried to relieve tinnitus with varying degrees of success. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline, have been used with some success, but these medications have troublesome side effects, such as dry mouth, blurred vision and constipation.

Two recent clinical trials found that the migraine medications gabapentin (Neurontin) and acamprosate (Campral), a drug used to treat alcoholism, are effective in relieving tinnitus for some people.

Treatments with limited results
Some other treatments that have been tried, but which have had inconsistent results, are:

Acupuncture
Hypnosis
The herb ginkgo
Cochlear implant, an electronic hearing device
Electrical stimulation
Medications, such as benzodiazepines (nervous system depressants) and baclofen (a muscle relaxant)
Hyperbaric oxygen chamber, a therapy to get a high level of oxygen in your blood
Zinc

Prevention of Tinnitus

2006-09-29T23:54:00.000+02:00

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 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, wearing earplugs or ear defenders can be advantageous. For musicians and DJs, special musicians' earplugs can lower the volume of the music without distorting the sound and can prevent tinnitus 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

Tinnitus : Masking for symptomatic relief

2006-09-29T15:10:00.000+02:00

A sound with higher decibel can mask the low decibel sound of tinnitus. This can be illustrated below:

Sound from surrounding Environment: A TV programme running in the background is often helpful when the tinnitus is disturbing.

Some examples of masking due to environmental sounds are:

Playing with friends, surfing on a beach, festival and other celebrations.

A "Walkman" or “Ipod” can be used with plug-in-ear earphones; which can be switched on when resting.

Modern hearing aids incorporating latest technological advancement are very effective at submitting the usual soft environmental sounds around you, and helping to get tinnitus mask. Older aids were not useful for this purpose. They can be programmed to amplify the whisper like sound around you without amplifying loud decibel sounds (thus avoiding noise induced hearing loss), and thus mask the annoying unwanted irritating tinnitus sound.

Tinnitus maskers : They are not hearing aids in true sense but generate some pleasing sounds in the ears which are not disturbing. They in no way can be used for people with hearing loss. But its use for masking is very limited as most of tinnitus affected age group are of old age with hearing loss and so hearing aid is a better option..

Thinking, Emotions and Tinnitus

2006-09-29T11:08:00.000+02:00

Let's say that someone decides to discover the cause of his tinnitus. He already passed all diagnostic, which discovered no organic base, so it obviously has something to do with his life attitudes: habits, relationships, understandings...

In desire to find a solution he can use: thoughts, logic, emotions, consciousness.

Thoughts: 'I can try that drug...or...The traffic under my window causes my tinnitus...I will find solution alone, I will never..., I have to say her...' Thoughts are many, can be confusing. It is good to find good thoughts....
Logic is finding a correlation between thoughts, events. 'If that tea didn't help to others, will also not to me...'
Emotions: anger, peace, fear...are excitations of the heart. They always appear as heart's response to an event, a thought... Emotions disappear after a while. They can give a taste to our life and help us.

Sometimes is good for us if we are persisting in particular emotins, sometimes is not. How to distinguish this?

Intuition is commonly described as 'power of knowing without reasoning'. It can be compared with consciousness. Consciousness has two meaning: a - awareness, b - a voice which tells use what's right.

With awareness part we can observe and see that particular thoughts revoke particular emotions. We CAN find out what causes peace in us. But peaceful feeling can be tricky. True peace is permanent. This doesn't mean that we will feel a permanent emotion. It means that whenever we check our plans we will feel peacefully if the plans are good and we will lost peace in time if our plans are bad.

There is a voice on the end which will tell us 'yes' or 'no' (to do something).

We don't need to understand that voice. If we find peace with that voice it is enough to listen it and do what it tells us.

Tools
Actions
Solutions

Tinnitus retraining therapy

2006-09-28T23:37:00.000+02:00

Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is a form of habituation therapy designed to help persons who suffer from tinnitus (ringing ears). TRT uses counselling to explain to the patient how a combination of tinnitus retraining and sound enrichment can first end their negative reaction to the tinnitus sound, and then reduce and eventually end their perception of it. Because there is no known cure for tinnitus, this therapy offers hope to sufferers that are willing to take the time and make the effort to learn and implement it in their lives. It is estimated that there are 7 million in the US who suffer from this condition.

Relaxation and Meditation to relieve Tinnitus

2006-09-28T23:28:00.000+02:00

Relaxation and meditation techniques can help some people temporarily relieve tinnitus and are particularly effective if used as part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes medication, broad-band noise generators (commonly known as white noise machines), hearing aids and other therapies, says Pawel Jastreboff, Ph.D., professor of surgery and physiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and director of the University of MarylandTinnitus and Hyperacusis Center, both in Baltimore. Dr. Jastreboff says stress makes it harder for a person who has tinnitus to ignore the annoying ringing in his ears. Relaxation counteracts that.

Tics, Tinnitus, Tremor...

2006-09-28T06:37:00.000+02:00

Tics, tremor, nistagmus, tinnitus, cramps...
...can all appear as standalone symptoms or as a consequence of a proven disease.

Tics are uncontrolled muscle twitches or sounds (blinking, clearing the throat, grimacing, sighing...). They can appear at 3 years and are often prominent between 9 and 13 years of age. They can be aggravated by stress, anxiousness or drugs like Ritalin in Attention Deficit Disorder. They can be part of Tourrette's syndrome which runs in families, but it still hasn't a clear cause. Tics in most cases vanish until early adulthood.

This occasional and stress related nature of tics strongly suggests a psychic origin. But it is also interesting how tics stop - children being solved their psychic troubles or not.

Tinnitus on the other side usually starts in adults.

Few tinnitus sufferers had tics in childhood. It seems that the cause - which is obviously not organ-fixed - remained, only the symptom changed. Other symptoms with possibly psychic origin: tremor (as shaking or shivering), nistagmus (rapid eye movements), behavior or speech disorders, depression, anxiousness, asthma, allergies, phobias, panic attacks, cramps, palpitations, digestion/bowel problems, peptic ulcer, headache, migraine, backache, muscle/bones pains, angina pectoris.

This and that

2006-09-27T19:27:00.000+02:00

I was trying to find some definitions, causes...about tinnitus. I thought that I'll found one 'main' tinnitus site quick and will find all data there. But I didn't. There is one t. association here and another one over the sea, few forums, but I had a feeling that things are scattered around, not orginised.

If you are looking for diabetes, you'll find dozens of huge sites and forums with a lot of members. Maybe no real interest is out there for tinnitus. Maybe people just know...that they don't need this.

But I'm enjoying in discovering new things. I have almost a kind of mania to collect all info about some matter on one place -- and then introducing it to others...

On this point I'm asking contributors and visitors of this blog: What should a blog about tinnitus be? What should be it's goal?

Attention, please!

2006-09-26T14:08:00.000+02:00

Pimples
Tinnitus
Stuttering

are three things an average person doesn't need. Some people fight them. With a success or without a success?

I had pimples (Acne Vulgaris) when I was 15. I tried some creams and teas. And I still had pimples at 25. I had almost burned skin from using one strong retinal cream. Then I just forgot all, continued living with those embarasing albeit not life threatening bumps.

So what if you try to forget tinnitus? Funny enough?

After some years I became aware (what I knew for a long time though) that I feel the need to change my food habits. The trigger was banal - not so big budget...Well, I dropped: all sweets and all milk products. I was doing this a couple of months - and once I just "found out" that my pimples were gone. Completely, silently.

I'm not saying here that food cures or causes pimples.
I only think that pimples are consequence of some unhealthy habit. Not unhealthy in general, but what is unhealthy for you. Some food. Some place. Some people.
But the story continue...

O.K. What about stuttering?----- None of my business.

Low Blood Pressure and Tinnitus

2006-09-26T11:13:00.000+02:00

When you get up from the bed in the morning, do you hear a hiss within your head (or in the ears)? Do you feel like you'll faint?
It can mean that you have a low blood pressure (BP).

In healthy adults BP is between 140/90 and 90/50 mm Hg. Normal BP level varies from person to person, so more than absolute value the change of BP level is important. Fall of BP for 20mmHg in a short time can cause hypotension symptoms even if the absolute value of BP is within normal range.

How low BP causes a hiss?
Low BP leads to low pressure within the head (intracranial pressure) consequently changing the pressure in an ear cohlea fluid (endolymph), which affects the normal way of stimulation of hearing receptors what results in a hiss. In addition: blood supply to inner ear vessels is not sufficient what results in inappropriate operation of the inner ear.

Other causes of hiss related to vessels/blood:
High blood pressure
Atherosclerotic artery or thrombotic plug in veins near the ear causing turbulent blood flow.
Brain artery aneurysm
Changes in blood composition (anemia, leukemia...)
Dehydration

Do You Need Tinnitus?

2006-09-25T11:19:00.000+02:00

What? Noooo!!
Well, why then you still have it?
I tried all: medications, remedies...
Did you try to remove the cause?

I went through all diagnostic...they didn't find anything!
...

Are you happy with your life? I don't mean if your life is without worries, but do you think you are doing what's proper? What's proper for you...
Did you do anything wrong? Is this bothering you, or you are still continuing in wrong direction?

It's only about tinnitus...

Tinnitus can help you. Tinnitus is reminding you all the time that you have to consider some attitudes in your life. Why are you working? Do you do the proper things to people around you?

Psychosomatic Pain vs. Tinnitus

2006-09-25T10:24:00.000+02:00

Pain is considered as a helpful sign in medicine. It tells us there is something wrong with our body or with our life...It suggests us to check and remove the cause.

Pain can be a consequence of a disease arising from the body or from environment (e.g. ear pain from noise).

All other causes of pain arising in person's relationships, memories, life attitudes...are referred as psychosomatic. Headache, migrain, stomach pain and backache are examples. Tinnitus - felt as pain or not - can fit in this group also.

These pains are not imaginary, they are true. If you feel tense, muscles will be tense and if this lasts for some time, the pain will be felt. Excessive activity of an auditory nerve caused by psychic tension is a physiological explanation for the tinnitus, where no other causes are found.

Have you ever experienced a headache after sitting in the front of a computer for a long time? I think that such a headache is a nice warning that you are doing something bad to your eyes and to your life maybe. Thus the solution (on a long term) is not in taking some analgesics, but to make a break, go to sleep or on a walk. And to consider - is it O.K. that I use computer so much?
And have you ever experienced your eardrum is twitching in an exciting situation where you were feeling that you were doing something wrong?

Tinnitus Treatment Options

2006-09-24T12:55:00.000+02:00

Treatment of tinnitus depends on the cause.

If the tinnitus is due to age-related hearing loss or damage to your ears by exposure to excessive noise, no treatment can reduce the noise. Your doctor may be able to take steps that could reduce the noise, such as removing impacted earwax. Tinnitus resulting from a vascular condition often can be corrected by fixing the underlying problem. If the tinnitus results due to adverse effect of a medication you are taking, your doctor may recommend discontinuing the drug or switching to a different medication.

Drugs like gabapentin (Neurontin) and acamprosate (Campral) are effective in relieving tinnitus for some people.

Other treatments that have been tried, but with limited results, are:

Biofeedback

Hypnosis

The herb ginkgo,

Cochlear implant

Electrical stimulation

Medications, such as benzodiazepines (antidepressants)

Hyperbaric oxygen chamber

Amplification using hearing aids

TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) treatment

Remember : ATA (American Tinnitus Association) does not recommend any tinnitus treatment.

Screening and diagnosis

2006-09-24T12:06:00.000+02:00

Once you feel you are suffering from Tinnitus (hear constant irrelevant annoying noices ) , Its better to take an appointment with an experienced ENT surgeon ( Oto - Rhinologist ). Provide your doctor with correct information like -- when they started, their severity and what can make them worse.
A detailed history will be taken and a number of tests may be carried out. The Doctor will first examine your ears with an otoscope to see whether any local condition (like ear-wax, tumor etc. is causing the tinnitus or not. He may also refer for various investigations like x-ray lateral view of head, blood tests,tuning fork tests, and sometimes a CT (computerized tomography) or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan to come to a correct diagnosis.

What can Affect Hearing Process

2006-09-23T16:33:00.000+02:00

I will explain here a hearing process and what can affect it.

Sound waves come through ear canal, reach eardrum and swing it. Vibrations are carried via three hearing bones (in the middle ear) toward the cohlea and causes the liquid within to oscillate. This stimulates hearing receptors. At this point mechanical vibration is converted in nerve excitation which propagates via auditory nerve through brainstem and reaches the brain. Excitation of brain cells in auditory area is recognised by a person as a sond.

**At all this points a sound can be impaired by objective and subjective causes**.

Objective causes:
A foreign body, injury, infection... in ear canal.
Broken eardrum..
Inflammed inner ear, changed pressure in Eustahian tube (diving, changing altitude fast, also at throat inflamation).
Impairment of inner ear.
Any procees which press on auditory nerve on his path toward the brain (tumors, injuries, bleading, ...).
Changes within the auditory nerve: inflammation, sclerosis multiplex, nerve impairment due to lack of vit B ).
Vascular (aneurysm) or blood disturbance (thrombosis, policythemia).

Subjective causes:
Psychic tension, Pain...
Tension can cause the muscles in the middle ear to contract, which can objectively affect the perception of loudness.

All these causes can not only prevent hearing but can also distort a sound or can pruduce tinnitus.

Sound related Terms

2006-09-22T21:05:00.000+02:00

The Sound is a propagation of vibration (with 20-20,000 Hz frequency) through the medium (air, liquid solid matters). It is a mechanical force which causes vibration of the tympanic membrane (eardrum).

Loudness of a sound is determined by pressure of sound waves puts on an eardrum. Measure unit is decibel (dB).
Hearing threshold is at 0 dB.
Normal Talking at 1m distance ...40-60 dB.
Major Road at 10m distance... 80-90 dB.
Prolonged exposion to 85 dB can cause hearing imparmient.
Short exposion to 120 dB can cause hearing damage.
Plane on the airport...120-140 dB.
Treshold of Pain...135 dB.

Hight of the sound is determined by frequency of sound waves.
High frequency means high sound.
The hearing range is between 20Hz to 20,000 Hz and it changes with age. Old people usually can't hear sounds over 16,000 Hz.
Sound out of this frequency range cannot be heard. Sound over 20,000 Hz is called Ultrasound, below 20 Hz is Infrasound.

Tone is a sound of a particular frequency. 'Middle C' has 262 Hz, 'high C' has 512 Hz.
Monophonic sound is composed from one tone
Polyphonic sound is composed from two or more tones.
Hiss is a sharp sibiliant sound like sustained 's'.
Noise can be defined as unwanted sound.
Resonance is a relatively high amplitude of vibration produced when a frequency of some source matches the natural frequency of other object.

What Happened to the Experiment ?

2006-09-22T10:01:00.000+02:00

A few months ago I started an experiment using a tinnitus formula. The formula involved was in fact a high dosage of Gingko Biloba ( 240mg). I was advised to take 2 caps a day for a period of approx. 3 months. I did receive a lot of feedback from people and friends advising not to experiment using drugs but after careful thought and consultation with my doctor I decided to try anway. I figured "nothing from nothing leaves nothing" and since I had nothing to loose anyway I stated taking the capsules on a daily basis. So after 3 months of downing 2 tabs a day without missing any out, the results left a lot to be desired. I must admit the capsules did not harme me in any way but regardless of this the tinnitus remain sunchanged.
So...where does this leave me?
I have been speaking to many tinnitus victims lately and they all have one thing in common. Whenever taking tinnitus remedies or other drugs and therapies a pattern develops which is evident in the majority. Most tinnitus victims tend to be unpatient and expect results quicker than can be expected. This is no surprise when you stop to think of what these people are listeng to on a 24/7 basis. It is a fact that when someone taking capsules which promises Tinnitus relief they will expect something to happen which in fact beats the object itself. Waiting for results can be frustrating for someone who has paid anything in excess of $ 100,00 for their tinnitus remedies. When taking taking remedies or going through therapy one adapts an attitude of "great expectations". I found myself ckecking the tinnitus sound after only 5 days to see if it was changing. After 1 month I couldnt detect any difference but kept taking the caps anyway. I do remember even trying hard to detect a difference, in fact I even once made myself believe that the caps were having an positive effect on the tinnitus. After 3 months I conceeded and gave up. I still have the caps here but I think I´ll throw them and forget the whole matter.
This doesnt mean that a tinnitus remedy wont work for you though, it just didnt work for me.
I would strongly reccomend anyone to think about what they are doing and what results they expect before embarking on a tinnitus remedy therapy and be ready to accept the fact that taking caps MAY not work. Thats the thing about tinnitus I hate so much. One is always on the lookout for new therapies. One is always good bait !

Definition of Tinnitus

2006-09-21T17:55:00.000+02:00

Tinnitus is a perception of a sound in one or both ears or in the head when no external sound is present. It is often described as ringing in the ears but also as hissing, roaring, whistling etc. - but common to all - as a completely different sound as previously experienced from their external environment.
It can be intermittent or continuous; occasional or long term symptom.

Objective tinnitus has mostly physical/physiological origin e.g. noise injury or arterial aneurysm in the brain. It is thereby only a symptom and not a disease itself. The sound can be heard by an observer (with using an stethoscope or other sound recording device). It is treated by eliminating the cause.

At subjective tinnitus no sound can be detected by an observer. An abnormal auditory nerve activity is the only recordable change. It is a standalone disturbance which is not physical/physiological but rather arise from psychic tension. Medications or other physical measures rarely help. Personal approach toward the patient (understanding, discussion) is needed.

What cannot be considered as tinnitus:
-any external sound
-sounds caused by change in external air pressure (at diving or quick changes in altitude (car on mountain road, plane...)
-"voices" as psychiatric patients describe them.

How to Cope with Tinnitus

2006-08-31T23:26:00.000+02:00

If you have heard of Tinnitus, chances are you cringe at the thought of developing such a problem. With constant high pitch sounds resonating throughout your ears, it is a wonder that anyone can focus on other areas of life. Surprisingly, at least half of the 35 million Americans suffering from this disease can deal with it. While it is one of the most difficult things anyone will have to face, it is possible to take control.

Tinnitus may make the person feel like they have been defeated, but there are ways to control the sound, and perhaps decrease it. Otolaryngologists will teach you how to take the sound and alleviate it to an extent. For instance, there are concentration exercises that focus on relaxation. By calming your ear muscles down, it can actually decrease the stress, and thus control the constant ringing that you hear. Some patients actually claim that it stops the sound all together, while others say it only helps a little. Nevertheless, it is an exercise that should be tried.

If the ringing sound is driving you crazy, doctors will suggest covering it up with another sound. White noise from a radio or a clock that ticks loudly can make you focus on other things, especially if you are in a very quiet environment. When you go to bed, there are peaceful sounds that you can try. The majority of Tinnitus sufferers buy pillow speakers and suggest using relaxation music that is similar to yoga or relaxation techniques. Still not helping? It is imperative that you find other areas in life to focus on. Go for a walk, hang out with friends, or simply ride a bike. By doing all of these other hobbies, you will most likely be able to block out some of the noise.

It has been shown that stress actually increases the ringing in people’s ears. Therefore, it is essential to always stay stress free, or at least keep it to a minimum. Exercising daily to alleviate anxiety, listening to soothing music, or writing may help you cope with this. It is also recommended that you avoid salty foods. By eating healthy and avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, you could be doing your ears a huge favor.

Although Tinnitus can drive people to serious places, it is possible to enjoy life and ignore the ringing. Most people feel that support groups are actually the most helpful. For this reason, you should try and locate an organization or group that deals with this kind of issue. You will be able to hear other people’s stories, and learn a lot from the techniques that they use. Nevertheless, having Tinnitus doesn’t mean that your life has to end. It may bring extra hurdles that you have to overcome, but it is possible to walk a smooth path. By living stress free and surrounding yourself with amazing people, the disease does not have to win. You can still accomplish whatever you’d like, even if there is a ringing in your ears.

What Causes Tinnitus?

2006-08-31T23:24:00.000+02:00

For any tinnitus sufferer, it can be overwhelming to try and stop the ringing. When doctors tell you that there is only so much you can do, and stress becomes a major setback, life just doesn’t seem fair. Often patients fear the worst and begin to feel like there is no way out for this problem. It also is extremely frustrating when you know that you can hear the overpowering sound, yet no one else around you can.

For any person who suffers from Tinnitus, it is important that you recognize how you acquired it. Many people do not learn as much as they can about the disease, because they feel like it is no use. However, it is extremely imperative that you learn as much as you can about the disease and what causes it. This may help you start coping with what you have, regardless of how frustrated you feel.

There are actually two different types of Tinnitus. Objective Tinnitus is when other people around you can also hear the noises. This may make patients feel a little bit better, since they know they aren’t crazy. Unfortunately, this is an uncommon type of Tinnitus, and generally the majority of people do not have this kind. Subjective Tinnitus, on the other hand, is when an individual only experiences these isolated sounds. No one else can hear the ringing, and it becomes a difficult situation to treat. At least with Objective Tinnitus, other people can hear what you are hearing.

While there are two different kinds, both usually stem from many different sources. For many sufferers, it stemmed from a traumatic event. If you were present during loud gunshots or a massive explosion, chances are your hearing would be damaged. When nerve endings become harmed, ringing usually starts to bother the patient. Serious accidents can also be a factor for Tinnitus patients. For instance, if you were in a car accident and had tremendous head injuries, you could also end up with this ringing sensation. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of different factors and reasons why this disease occurs. It could be as simple as buildup wax. Nonetheless, it usually means that there is a more serious issue lying underneath.

Tinnitus has also been liked to Thyroid problems. If your Thyroid begins to produce too much of the substance, it will begin to bother your other organs. While your heart beat begins to increase, patients may also hear a ringing or piercing pulsating noise in their ears. For others, a B12 or Vitamin A deficiency could be the problem.

Due to the fact that Tinnitus is caused by hundreds of different factors, it can be difficult to treat. After all, how can a Doctor treat a predicament when they can’t trace the cause of the disease? Senior citizens often suffer from hearing loss, while others actually have heart problems and Tinnitus is only a symptom within another disease. With all of these potential factors, it is frustrating for medical professionals and patients alike to move forward. Luckily, with medicine and technology constantly improving, better treatment will be in attendance in no time.

What is Tinnitus?

2006-08-31T23:21:00.000+02:00

Silence. Regardless of how talkative we are, we all crave the peacefulness of silence every now and then. It relaxes us, and allows us to listen to our own thoughts, without have to hear deafening noise in the background. Yet imagine if we had no choice but to hear the persistent ringing in our ears. Would you be able to deal with it? For a group of unlucky people, this is actually the case. It is a medical condition that has caused many to feel like they are going crazy.

Tinnitus, a disease that causes the ears to ring, has affected over 35 million Americans each year. While it can disappear from time to time, most patients suffer from this deafening sound frequently. Depending upon how severe the Tinnitus is, the noise can be very low or a high squeal that is similar to nails on a chalkboard. For this reason, the majority of people with tinnitus cannot seem to live normal lives. After all, would you be able to go on your merry way, if all you heard was ringing?

For most people who suffer from Tinnitus, the causes can be vague. For instance, if you heard a loud gun shot or was present during an enormous explosion, you could damage your inner ear. If these nerve endings become harmed, you could develop Tinnitus. However, this is not the only way to develop the disease. For older people, it may be a sign of hearing loss. If you have another disease, this may be a sign that you have other problems. From a heart disorder to blocked ear canals, tinnitus is an indication that something else is seriously wrong. Therefore, it is imperative that you get your ears checked out.

Unfortunately, if you suffer from Tinnitus, chances are no one else can hear the sound. If you begin hearing this ringing sensation, you need to go to a doctor immediately. Regardless how crazy you feel, this problem can be treated and will fix many of the issues you face. Although there are no real medicines that can stop the ringing, there are tests that can be done. Once your Otolaryngologist performs an array of x-rays on your ears, and conducts hearing tests, he can assess the situation. He will most likely tell you to avoid areas with loud noise, decrease your salt intake, and exercise as much as possible. It also has been shown that stress can severely make the ringing worse. Therefore, you must stay calm when you can. While these suggestions can help with the ringing, it will not go away. For that reason, you need to ignore the sound as much as you can, and continue to live life as you would without the noise.

Tinnitus may sound like a major road block in life, but it is possible to cope with the problem. Dealing with stress is imperative no matter how healthy you are, since it will reduce the risk of other diseases. Consequently, you need to find a balance. Exercise, avoid fatigue, and focus on the better things in life. For many people who suffer with Tinnitus, it has become a regularity that can be dealt with. They continue their daily routines, trying to ignore the fact that they are just a little different.

The Experiment.

2006-04-07T21:30:00.000+02:00

Okay... as Easter is getting closer, I have decided to start an experiment and spend 3 months of my time trying a Tinnitus remedy that sounds very promising. Although I don’t really need any more Tinnitus remedies or treatment, I have decided to see if it has any effect on my own Tinnitus. I have spoken to some nice people at www.tinnitusformula.com/ who provided me with vast amounts of information including all the lab reports and paper work from the health authorities on their remedy "Arches Tinnitus Relief Formula".

All this information arrived at my doorstep this morning and I am about to embark on my 3-month journey starting from tomorrow morning.

The basic ingredients are Gingko Biloba, Zinc and deodorized garlic. A very safe combination, which needs no further explanation, I’m sure. This Tinnitus remedy has to be better than picking up BOTOX shots or taking Valium and anti-depressants. I look at it this way, I cant loose a thing my trying this formula out.

I intend on making regular updates on my progress here in this blog.

If anyone is interested in finding out more on this subject, please let me know and I will be glad to help.

Until then...
Happy Easter

Taming Beasts

2006-03-16T12:56:00.000+01:00

Please feel free to post your comments in this Blog. I have received many mails from Tinnitus sufferers who feel they have been let down by common medicine. This matter is quite contraversial as I have been pounded by some of the "so called" Tinnitus experts who dont agree with my own approach to coming to terms with Tinnitus.

Had I listened and acted on all medical advice given to me by countless specialists, I probably wouldnt dare leave my house. A Chiropractic advised me to wear a plastic support splint around my waste to prevent spinal problems. I would be wearing a contraption with bars, rods and springs and screws designed by an orthodontic specialist that is bolted to my jaw and looks like something out of a star wars movie. The hearing aid which the insurance pays for resembles a pair of mickey mouse head phones. I would be on sleeping tabletts and diazapam. One doctor wants to treat me with BOTOX . Just one look at the side effects from BOTOX was enough to frighten me for life.

So there we have it! Splints, corsettes, hearing aids, maskers, diazapam, sleeping pills, braces, infusions, Botox...............WOW!...........I could go on for ever

To put it bluntly........NO THANX. I ll take the Tinnitus and learn to live with it.

And it can be done without any of the above treatments and dont let anyone tell you it cant. Tinnitus is in the mind. Thats what makes it so difficult to define. Unless your Tinnitus can be measured and the causes physically defined, you will have to start learning to accept it and live with it.

To achieve this, you need coaching. Thats why Tinnitus Re-Training is a good alternative to most of what I have described above.

Learning and understanding why you have Tinnitus is the first step you will have to take. Acting on the results is the key to success.

Feeding off your own success will mean "game, set and match"