Somatic Tinnitus as Indicator of Cochlear Deficiencies?

[Vinnitus]

I have been pondering the following currently. Maybe it is complete bollocks and for sure it is hugely simplified, but it might also be an interesting idea...

Reading up again on Shore's research about somatic tinnitus, one of her findings indicate that somatosensory response becomes more hyperactive as auditory input becomes less active in the DCN (dorsal cochlear nucleus). This then manifests itself as increased or additional tinnitus when making certain head, jaw or other facial movements. I recall that, before my last noise incident, I either had no somatic tinnitus or it was at least negligible. Ever since the noise incident it became apparent.

The noise incident probably caused synaptic damage and maybe also hair cell loss above 8Khz, meaning the auditory input has been reduced to the DCN. In turn, to balance the input to the brain, the somatosensory input was increased resulting in what we know as "somatic tinnitus". If this is the case, isn't somatic tinnitus an indication of cochlear sensorineural hearing loss, even if the audiogram says we are fine? Furthermore, wouldn't measurement (i.e. with electrodes) of this somatosensory hyperactivity an objectification of tinnitus presence and perhaps even severity? Logic would indicate that more somatosensory compensation is required to maintain homeostasis when auditory input gets lower and lower.

Of course, this would only be a diagnostic for certain types of tinnitus (hearing loss related)...

Thoughts?

 

[stophiss]

I think noise incident as in singular may not be accurate. Likely for most, its the aggregate of noise incidents over time which leads to the veritable straw that breaks the camel's back which precipitates tinnitus.
But let's say you are right Vinnie. Theories on tinnitus abound. Sadly, doesn't change the calculus on available solutions. Now what?

 

[Vinnitus]

I think noise incident as in singular may not be accurate. Likely for most, its the aggregate of noise incidents over time which leads to the veritable straw that breaks the camel's back which precipitates tinnitus.

Agreed. But still one would say that the noise exposures over time, add to the hearing loss and thus the increase of somatic tinnitus as a compensatory reaction.

But let's say you are right Vinnie. Theories on tinnitus abound. Sadly, doesn't change the calculus on available solutions. Now what?

Well, to be honest; nothing does. Sitting around and keeping on suffering doesn't either. I have to say these issues sparked my interest though and I like to increase my knowledge about it where possible. Aside from that; some complex issues sometimes have relatively simple solutions which are potentially overlooked by those stuck in complex thinking.

 

[stophiss]

Agreed. But still one would say that the noise exposures over time, add to the hearing loss and thus the increase of somatic tinnitus as a compensatory reaction.

Well, to be honest; nothing does. Sitting around and keeping on suffering doesn't either. I have to say these issues sparked my interest though and I like to increase my knowledge about it where possible. Aside from that; some complex issues sometimes have relatively simple solutions which are potentially overlooked by those stuck in complex thinking.

or...Vinnie, in my humble opinion you maybe overly simplistic and the truth is much more complicated. Conjecture I suppose has it place and opinions are like...well you know.

I think you are a thoughtful guy but suffice to say...let's say there are 10 leading scientists throughout the world that understand tinnitus better than anybody else on the planet. Lets say these 10 have forgotten more about tinnitus than anybody here. Still no bueno.

 

[Vinnitus]

or...Vinnie, in my humble opinion you maybe overly simplistic and the truth is much more complicated. Conjecture I suppose has it place and opinions are like...well you know.

I think you are a thoughtful guy but suffice to say...let's say there are 10 leading scientists throughout the world that understand tinnitus better than anybody else on the planet. Lets say these 10 have forgotten more about tinnitus than anybody here. Still no bueno.

You may be right, and I am very sure it is even more complicated than this. This I am hoping to find out by starting a discussion about this subject. We should also keep it discussable for a support forum, however.

Maybe it has been tried before and we can have a good discussion about it where we all learn more. Maybe someone can add to it. Maybe someone read about some studies I didn't read about yet. Maybe someone is more knowledgeable than me (no doubt) and can share about this? Isn't learning, extending our knowledge and sharing not partly a reason why we are on this board? It won't give us a solution for tinnitus, no. But other than just sitting around and trying to live with this, it will perhaps provide us more insight into our condition.

But well, indeed; who am I to think they didn't think about this already, right? Forget this thread and back to the drawing board. Let's just not forget that some complex issues were resolved by those who went OUTSIDE the box and those who kept asking questions, even if those questions are asked by "lesser mortals" like myself, may seem ridiculous or incomplete at first sight, or etcetera.

 

[stophiss]

You may be right, and I am very sure it is even more complicated than this. This I am hoping to find out by starting a discussion about this subject. We should also keep it discussable for a support forum, however.

Maybe it has been tried before and we can have a good discussion about it where we all learn more. Maybe someone can add to it. Maybe someone read about some studies I didn't read about yet. Maybe someone is more knowledgeable than me (no doubt) and can share about this? Isn't learning, extending our knowledge and sharing not partly a reason why we are on this board? It won't give us a solution for tinnitus, no. But other than just sitting around and trying to live with this, it will perhaps provide us more insight into our condition.

But well, indeed; who am I to think they didn't think about this already, right? Forget this thread and back to the drawing board. Let's just not forget that some complex issues were resolved by those who went OUTSIDE the box and those who kept asking questions, even if those questions are asked by "lesser mortals" like myself, may seem ridiculous or incomplete at first sight, or etcetera.

Since you asked, I find dissection of scientific studies more interesting if not more relevant than anecdotal assertions from the non scientific community. I find the purpose of the support forum is to support one another with viable solutions that have personally helped members of the forum, from therapy to medication to types of sound enrichment and overall coping strategies. Of course we can probe into what is unknown, but then we enter the world of what if and conjecture. If going there, I believe a more substantive start is a theory put forth by the scientific community.
Only my opinion. Lets see if anything substantive comes from your thread. I look forward to forthcoming conjecture if for no other reason, for the entertainment value.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@Vinnitus There's no doubt

I have been pondering the following currently. Maybe it is complete bollocks and for sure it is hugely simplified, but it might also be an interesting idea...

Reading up again on Shore's research about somatic tinnitus, one of her findings indicate that somatosensory response becomes more hyperactive as auditory input becomes less active in the DCN (dorsal cochlear nucleus). This then manifests itself as increased or additional tinnitus when making certain head, jaw or other facial movements. I recall that, before my last noise incident, I either had no somatic tinnitus or it was at least negligible. Ever since the noise incident it became apparent.

The noise incident probably caused synaptic damage and maybe also hair cell loss above 8Khz, meaning the auditory input has been reduced to the DCN. In turn, to balance the input to the brain, the somatosensory input was increased resulting in what we know as "somatic tinnitus". If this is the case, isn't somatic tinnitus an indication of cochlear sensorineural hearing loss, even if the audiogram says we are fine? Furthermore, wouldn't measurement (i.e. with electrodes) of this somatosensory hyperactivity an objectification of tinnitus presence and perhaps even severity? Logic would indicate that more somatosensory compensation is required to maintain homeostasis when auditory input gets lower and lower.

Of course, this would only be a diagnostic for certain types of tinnitus (hearing loss related)...

Thoughts?

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@Vinnitus: Yes, many researchers agree with Shore research from loud noise exposure. With dental, somatic and/or cervical T is caused when the lateral pterygold muscle was more tender on the ipsilateral side where single sited tinnitus was experienced.

This could happen by an electric appliance touching one side of the face. It could be done by using an electric shaver, heating pad, electric toothbrush or a dentist drill.