My Son Has Been Diagnosed with Tinnitus

[Paulm]

Hi all,

Just really looking for stories and support.

My son has been diagnosed with tinnitus recently.
But he has had this condition all his life.
He is now 16.
We have had ups and downs with the condition but it affects everything.
He has no prom, hard to live with social spaces, finding it tough to concentrate at school.

Thank you,
Paul

 

[Autumnly]

Some things you could try for chronic tinnitus that might help:

• get a mouthguard if you grind your teeth at night
• see a physical/massage therapist if you have issues with your neck, jaw or cervical spine
• listen to white noise, natural sounds or music during the day and at night (through external speakers, not earbuds or headphones) so that your brain can focus on something else (however some people say background noise irritates their ears)
• don't listen to anything through earbuds or headphones (opinions on this are mixed though)
  
• protect your hearing from loud noises

Supplements you could try

• Magnesium or Magnesium Citrate
• N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)
• Nicotinamide Riboside
• Vitamin D, Vitamin B12

If you're interested in recent positive research updates:

• a device named Lenire by an Irish company called Neuromod recently launched in Dublin, Ireland
  • here's an interview Tinnitus Talk conducted with Neuromod
  • here's the thread on Lenire, we're looking forward to hearing from other members who will soon start using the device
• the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota are working on similar devices
  • here's a link to an article that explains the device by the University of Michigan and the concept of bimodal neurostimulation for tinnitus
  • the University of Michigan might already start commercialization efforts in the US next year

 

[Cojackb]

Sorry to hear your son is having trouble with his tinnitus.

Something that may help is CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) - it's good for coping a little better and adjusting perception / attitude towards tinnitus. It's by no means a cure but it may mean he can focus a little better at school and around social events.

Also have a read through the Success Stories on here, it's a positive spin on some of the damning stories you hear about tinnitus.

For everything else, Autumnly's reply is invaluable.

I sincerely hope your son's tinnitus improves!

 

[Daniel Lion]

Hi Paulm,

Sorry to hear about your son's troubles.

Autumnly beat me the punch. She is a star.

FX-322 and the REGAIN project are working on hearing regeneration but that's a few years away. There's a guy in Korea by the name of Dr. Shim, he uses Platelet Rich Plasma injections and has had some success with younger people. He's expensive.

Where are you?

I am from Massachusetts which has some choice hospitals for young folks.
Your son needs to see an otologist (spelling), a brain/ear doctor.

He needs an excellent ENT and you should read up a bit so that the audiologists don't hurt him with some tests that can be painful for those with tinnitus.

Sorry, my kids are going bananas, I gotta run.

Best of luck, my heart goes out to you and your family and especially your son.

Post note... You need to find the source of his tinnitus... Could be posture, a mouth guard etc... Peace.

 

[ChrisBoyMonkey]

One more positive thing to know is that there is also a potential cure on the way if it turns out that brain inflammation really is the source. They have tried it in mice now they just have to trial it in humans after they have tested its potential side effects:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/metro....hrough-pill-could-cure-tinnitus-10006638/amp/

Here is the scientific journal of that research:
https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3000307

 

[Candy]

Sorry to hear that Paul. I feel for you all.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy may also be helpful. I sometimes wear a masker that plays a shhh sound when things get bad but it's not for everyone.

Can I ask how long has he had if for and was there a worsening that lead to diagnosis?

Does he have hearing loss?

The school should put something in place to facilitate his learning. Have you called the ATA to see if they have suggestions for teachers. Otherwise you could email the BTA.