Tinnitus and Looking for Treatment

[elocin]

Hello, my tinnitus started on the day befor my 50th birthday 7/1/16.

I went to a ENT and had an MRI that noted I was indeed a premature baby. The MRI was a difficult test to endure. I had high hopes for the visit with the audiologist believing he would agree to start the nueromonics sound treatment. The audiological was "inconclusive" and he said it would not be really helpful.

He suggested another ENT Doctor that specializes in tinnitus and a follow up with a TMJ specialist.

I am so disappointed. I deluded myself into believing the sound therapy might help. I feel like I am going in circles. I left the audiologist' office feeling awful. I really dislike going to doctors.

The ENT Doctor I was referred to takes "special cases." I left a message on his answering machine. I'm vere frustrated and hopeless.

 

[billie48]

Welcome to the forum. It is a good step to consult the doctors or ENT to make sure there is nothing medically wrong with the ears or hearing. It is what it is, that they are not really that good with treating tinnitus. It is not in their training to heal tinnitus and honestly there is no drug(s) currently that can cure T that they can prescribe. Hence their role is merely checking the ears to make sure nothing is wrong inside.

Your frustration with them is understanding. But try not to put all your eggs in the 'ENT basket'. They may not be able to help you. You need to learn some helpful strategies to cope with T, such as CBT, TRT, mindfulness etc. T can be helped by some of these if not all. You can also consider diet and/or life style change, such as cutting off too much caffeine, salt, MSG, etc. You can also consider supplements like Magnesium, Zinc, NAC, B12, D3 etc. Also make sure you have enough sleep. Good sleep will help to keep T at a manageable level. Try to be positive and read up the success stories, as they contain insights which may help you.

Try masking your T too so you won't be too anxious with it. Stress and anxiety can aggravate T. So for the time being, if T is a bother to you, try to mask it with nature sounds, music or white noise. If you haven't done masking yet, here are some suggestions:
1) Mask at bed time so you can sleep better. Find whatever sounds/music that are soothing to you. You can use a sound machine or sound pillow for this, or a computer with speakers.

2) If you need masking on the go, try load an ipod with nature sounds or music using itune. If you have a smart phone, you can download free APPs for soothing or T-masking sounds.

3) If you have computer and speakers, you can try these excellent masking sounds too:

TT's audio player: https://www.tinnitustalk.com/audioplayer/

or this online sound library, particularly the self-mix nature sounds: http://mynoise.net/

or download free sound generator 'aire freshener': http://www.peterhirschberg.com/mysoftware.html

or search youtube with words like 'tinnitus masking sounds', 'white noise', 'rain sound' etc.


And if you need DIY notched Acoustic Coordinated Reset Neuromodulation (ACRN):

(please be careful and research the pro and con on ACRN before proceeding with caution)

http://www.tinnitus.org.uk/acoustic-cr-neuromodulation

http://www.generalfuzz.net/acrn/

Take good care. God bless.

 

[elocin]

Thank you for you response and kindness. I so appreciate the empathy and direction.I have a sound machine. At my office I use fans. I usually watch what I eat but need to probably cut down on the salt. Yes poor sleep is an issue.Today I am feeling really down after the audiologist.
He seemed so perplexed despite his years of experience. Now I've been referred to another ENT. This person is a "specialist" and seems on the verge of retirement. Getting him to call back or an appointment seems like a skill only James Bond has. I understand there isn't a cure, or an answer. Habituation is definitely a struggle. I'm so sick of the run around and the rule out treadmill. I am an anxious person but this one I did not and would not dream up.

 

[billie48]

I understand there isn't a cure, or an answer. Habituation is definitely a struggle. I'm so sick of the run around and the rule out treadmill

Sometimes getting too anxious on a cure or some magic wand from those doctors or ENTs can actually cause too much stres and anxiety which are bad for T. People spent lots of time and money chasing after a cure or magic potions, jumping between doctors and miracle cures. It becomes a stressful and T-centered life with nothing much else important. This approach can create suffering and havoc in itself. It will be nice to have a miracle cure. Some people do find relief through various means. But before the cure is here, it is best to manage the emotions and the reaction to T. Sometimes doing nothing can help turn around. Sometimes taking on life proactively, engaging in other aspects of life can do miracle. Here are two success stories to illustrate that point.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/doing-nothing-worked-for-me.4778/

http://www.ata.org/sites/default/files/my_choice_concert_pianist_personal_story_tobey_june_06.pdf

 

[Candy]

Hello Elocin

None of us would dream this one up, completely understand. Would be hard not to be taken aback however anxious we are when this hits you. Mine started in June, wish had been sent to a TMJ specialist, had to figure that one out for myself and am on waiting list. Where do you live?