Tinnitus Treatment Devices

Some questions for the group.
1. Curious as to what types of tinnitus treatment devices have those on the list tried and with what type of success, good or bad?
2. Did you use an audiologist or physician for help?

 

I've been using a General Hearing Tranquilty OTE for a week. This is a very small device that fits over the ear, that is barely noticeable. It has a faint wispy sound for masking. It cost $900 per ear.

At first I had only one device, because I have Tinnitus in one ear. However I learned that you really need both ears masked. Today I have the devices in both ears.

I saw an audiologist who is a specialist in Tinnitus treatment.

Seems to work.

 

Hi Karl, Where are you located? My T's getting so bad my i pod won't mask it at night and i'm already taking double my sleeping pills to try and get a few hours sleep. I live in Prince Edward Island , Canada..I went to an audiologist a month ago and he said there was a new masking device comming in early spring or summer..I don't have much faith in our little province for much help when my own doctor told me there's no cure and basically i have to live with it...I'm almost at the end of my rope..I just needed to vent. I'm getting very tired..Hopefully the audioligst was talking about the device your using...Thanks Pat

 

Hi Pat.
You've got to hang in there. My audiologist gave me the following paper to read: http://www.tinnitus.org/home/frame/tin2_download.PDF
This is a very good paper, explaining that there is at least one solution.

I live near Chicago, and I went to an audiologist in Highland Park, Illinois. I'm sure that your audiologist can order the General Hearing model without you having to fly somewhere to get one. The ATA website has a list of doctors and audiologists who deal with tinnitus. No doubt Canadian specialists are also listed.

I've had tinnitus a couple of months, about the same timeframe as you. Yes, it really sucks, and I don't understand what the hell is causing it! At first, I was desperate, especially because I couldn't sleep. It was really tough - at first. Now it seems to be better, because I'm not freaking out. I think of it as sort of a new reality that I am dealing with. These masking gismoz seem to give me a place of refuge.

Yes, a lot of doctors say stupid insensitive things about "there's nothing you can do". I went to an otolarongologist who gave me the same crap. What an idiot. I try to avoid discussing tinnitus with people, because I don't want to hear "Wow it must be tough" comments.

About sleep: I'm beginning to sound like a pharmaceutical salesman, but I have had great relief taking an anti-depressant called Remeron. I have had no side effects. I have great sleep with Remeron. When I sleep, there is no buzzing. The only thing I don't like about it is I can't drink alchohol. I used to drink a glass of wine everynight, and I really miss the fun of social drinking. The reason I suggest to you an anti-depressant rather than a sleeping pill, is because my own experience with sleeping pills caused me to be slightly depressed.

- Karl

 

Thanks Karl, I'll ask my doctor about Remeron. I'm going to read the artical now....pat

 

Hi Pat why dont you try something like St Johns Wort, http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD000448/st.-johns-wort-for-treating-depression.
Its natural, rather than a drug, and instantly available, so you dont even need a prescripton. Worth a try

 

Thanks for posting this Karl,

This is a must read, I wish my ENT had given me this early on.

 

"This is a must read, I wish my ENT had given me this early on."
Jim -
Yes, it's a very well written paper. This short little paper really hits the nail on the head about the experience of tinnitus, the common fears associated, the phases and the TRT treatement.
- Karl

 

Pat -
Whatever you try, make sure that "ringing in the ears" is not a possible side effect. A word of warning: Zoloft can cause severe ringing in the ears. I was first prescribed Zoloft, but then I read the warnings and asked for something else.

Besides helping you get sleep, the secondary purpose of these types of drugs is to reduce your anxiety. I was going through a panic attack in the early stages of tinnitus. You also need to reduce your panic/anxiety, as a first step to recovery.
- Karl

 

Karl

thanks for posting the article...very cool insight

mo doubt that our response and "attending" to tinnitus is at least as important a contribution to the affliction as the "noises" themselves

best wishes
mock turtle

 

marcusfond171 -
When it comes to tinnitus, there is no "it might be". If you have it, you will know it without a doubt.

You may be simply having some hearing loss. Many people with hearing loss also experience tinnitus. I have read that for age related hearing loss, tinnitus can be a temporary condition.

The place that you listed in Atlanta looks "ok". There are many audiologists who are knowledgeable about tinnitus and masking devices. Remember that tinnitus is a subjective experience that only you can describe if you have it. An audiologist will ask you questions during a test to determine the frequency that you perceive.