Ron Taylor

I play the double bass, used to play it professionally with some of the top orchestras. I stopped playing professionally after an accident and back surgery, that was before the tinnitus developed.
The tinnitus started while we lived in London and I would particularly notice it on the tube. Then, after we had moved to a quieter place, it became worse and permanent. I have seen doctors and specialists and had no help. Most recently we saw an ear, nose and throat guy here in Span and he was, honestly, useless. My wife has been in contact with one of the leading researchers and she now knows more about the condition than this doctor did!.
Some interesting information from that research doctor is that my profile, chronic pain from my back and hyper-acuity often go along with tinnitus.

My tinnitus has got worse over the years. Just recently, following a bad cold, a low hum has been added to the electricity pylons and crickets.

I use all the normal coping mechanisms, music is my main one, there is always music playing in the house and I have play lists set up for going to sleep.

I tried acupuncture recently, it was a waste of time and hurt like hell. We have since made a friend who does acupuncture and she says she cannot cure tinnitus, just occasionally people have reported a very slight lessening, but even she doesn't recommend it.

I also tried anti-psychotics after another friend said they helped her, but no change there either.

As a musician I find it hard to accept not being able to listen to great music without this constant nuisance in my head.

A cure, or even some alleviation, for tinnitus would be a wonderful thing, so my wife and I have made a significant bequest in our wills.