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Where Would Jeff Bezos Go for Evaluation & Treatment of Tinnitus?

Jason Ranovik

Member
Author
Jan 23, 2022
12
Tinnitus Since
05/2021
Cause of Tinnitus
Unknown
Hi everyone,

I've been an observer for a while, watching the threads on new treatments and such. My T started about 8 months ago from an unknown cause; one night I fell asleep on the couch, and when I woke up an hour or two later I had a weird ringing in my left year. It might be related to an ototoxic drug I was on, but it's hard to say since I was on an extremely low dose and it didn't subside at all after I stopped taking it (that same night). It's subsided a fair bit since then. It was a 6/10 when it first started, now it's a consistent 3-4/10.

One issue I've found is that where I live (Ontario, Canada), it's quite difficult to get decent medical care. People rave about the universal health care in Canada, but the reality is that when everyone gets free health care in a health care system that is chronically underfunded, the quality of care drops precipitously. I had to wait several months to see an ENT, who looked in my ear, said "I don't see anything abnormal, your audiogram is normal, so you just have to try to ignore it." Useless. No discussion of what other possible causes may be, no consideration of imaging, no discussion of clinical trials. Just trying to get me out the door as quickly as he could.

One thing I have going for me, though, is that I'm fairly wealthy, in the 1%. So this got me to thinking: if Jeff Bezos developed tinnitus, (a) where would he go to be properly evaluated, and (b) where would he go to get treated? If money can buy better care, I want to try it.

There are, of course, the private clinics in the US like Mayo and Cleveland, but reviews from people who have gone there seem to agree that it's pretty much the same as other ENTs, in and out as quick as you can. Some people have mentioned travelling overseas for stem cell treatments, which has piqued my interest, but I'd prefer to do that somewhere with a strong reputation and low risk of being scammed or receiving high-risk treatment.

So, the question again: where would Bezos go?

Jason
 
Like @F-u-T listed, there are treatments on the way, which may (or may not) help us. And that's really the thing, any treatments right now, no matter how expensive they are, seems, to me, to be a complete shot in the dark. You'd essentially be throwing a lot of money straight into the depths of the unknown in the off-chance that it would yield improvements or remission. This also applies for stem cells, which have sparked some discussion on here.

It's a very good and interesting question though! But if you ask me, the best thing we can do right now is to simply accept and come to terms with the sound, doing the contrary will only make us miserable.

Wish you well,
Stacken
 
Hi everyone,

I've been an observer for a while, watching the threads on new treatments and such. My T started about 8 months ago from an unknown cause; one night I fell asleep on the couch, and when I woke up an hour or two later I had a weird ringing in my left year. It might be related to an ototoxic drug I was on, but it's hard to say since I was on an extremely low dose and it didn't subside at all after I stopped taking it (that same night). It's subsided a fair bit since then. It was a 6/10 when it first started, now it's a consistent 3-4/10.

One issue I've found is that where I live (Ontario, Canada), it's quite difficult to get decent medical care. People rave about the universal health care in Canada, but the reality is that when everyone gets free health care in a health care system that is chronically underfunded, the quality of care drops precipitously. I had to wait several months to see an ENT, who looked in my ear, said "I don't see anything abnormal, your audiogram is normal, so you just have to try to ignore it." Useless. No discussion of what other possible causes may be, no consideration of imaging, no discussion of clinical trials. Just trying to get me out the door as quickly as he could.

One thing I have going for me, though, is that I'm fairly wealthy, in the 1%. So this got me to thinking: if Jeff Bezos developed tinnitus, (a) where would he go to be properly evaluated, and (b) where would he go to get treated? If money can buy better care, I want to try it.

There are, of course, the private clinics in the US like Mayo and Cleveland, but reviews from people who have gone there seem to agree that it's pretty much the same as other ENTs, in and out as quick as you can. Some people have mentioned travelling overseas for stem cell treatments, which has piqued my interest, but I'd prefer to do that somewhere with a strong reputation and low risk of being scammed or receiving high-risk treatment.

So, the question again: where would Bezos go?

Jason
Money can't buy a cure for tinnitus. Bezos would spend his billions on experimental devices or on charlatans.

The only cure is within you own healing system. That just costs time and lots and lots of patience.
 
Thanks for the comments! Everyone seems to be focusing on the treatment aspect though, but I'm actually more interested in the evaluation aspect.

I'm familiar with the lack of known treatments, but I'm sure there must be a high-end clinic somewhere in the world that specializes in tinnitus evaluations? Even if it doesn't offer any treatment options, it would still be nice to have a decent ENT do a real exam, and maybe see if there's TMJ, a vestibular issue, Meniere's, anything that would explain this weird, physical popping sensation, etc.
 
Thanks for the comments! Everyone seems to be focusing on the treatment aspect though, but I'm actually more interested in the evaluation aspect.

I'm familiar with the lack of known treatments, but I'm sure there must be a high-end clinic somewhere in the world that specializes in tinnitus evaluations? Even if it doesn't offer any treatment options, it would still be nice to have a decent ENT do a real exam, and maybe see if there's TMJ, a vestibular issue, Meniere's, anything that would explain this weird, physical popping sensation, etc.
Unfortunately ENTs are worse than useless with tinnitus. They may measure loss of hearing etc but they can't do a darn thing about it. Their invasive investigations may themselves trigger issues with the ears including popping and TTTS.
 
I'm familiar with the lack of known treatments, but I'm sure there must be a high-end clinic somewhere in the world that specializes in tinnitus evaluations? Even if it doesn't offer any treatment options, it would still be nice to have a decent ENT do a real exam, and maybe see if there's TMJ, a vestibular issue, Meniere's, anything that would explain this weird, physical popping sensation, etc.
Any decent clinic can do those tests: CAT scan, cranial MRI (if you dare to go for it, bad idea, in my opinion, as it is very loud), TMJ MRI, inner ear MRI, otoaccoustic emissions, distortion products, electro encephalogram, etc etc

But the focus should be: what does the ENT expect to find in those tests? Can it be cured?

MRI is used to rule out acoustic neuroma. If you had an acoustic neuroma, it could grow very slowly for years. If it had to be removed, that could also mean losing some hearing etc, there are risks.

My advice is to get your tinnitus into perspective. How does it affect your life? How good is your hearing, functionally? Do you have trouble understanding people, TV etc?

Another piece of advice is give it time. Wait for another year, see how you feel before you start searching for dubious or experimental treatments that may have side effects you don't expect (and those who run the "treatments" do not expect either). Ears are tricky and very delicate. You do not want to have a test that makes further damage.
 
The weird thing is, hanging out on Tinnitus Talk for any length of time, one begins to see things that aren't necessarily there.

For example, everytime I see the words, Jeff Bezos, I actually see the words, Jeff Benzos.

Not suggesting Bezos would head for the Benzos if he got tinnitus. It's more an observation...
 
Like @F-u-T listed, there are treatments on the way, which may (or may not) help us. And that's really the thing, any treatments right now, no matter how expensive they are, seems, to me, to be a complete shot in the dark. You'd essentially be throwing a lot of money straight into the depths of the unknown in the off-chance that it would yield improvements or remission. This also applies for stem cells, which have sparked some discussion on here.

It's a very good and interesting question though! But if you ask me, the best thing we can do right now is to simply accept and come to terms with the sound, doing the contrary will only make us miserable.

Wish you well,
Stacken
I thought we were already miserable. Sorry, just being a misery guts.
 
Just go to another doctor. Look for an Otologist vs a regular Otolaryngologist (ENT). I've never stuck with the first specialist I've visited. It always takes some shopping around.
 
.. would still be nice to have a decent ENT do a real exam, and maybe see if there's TMJ, a vestibular issue, Meniere's, anything that would explain this weird, physical popping sensation, etc.
Why do you need a high end clinic for that? Basically every ENT or ENTs at a random university clinic should be able to do that.
 
I thought we were already miserable. Sorry, just being a misery guts.
Sorry @tpj. I'm fully aware of many people's unfathomable suffering, including yours. These conditions have my complete respect.

My point was merely that fighting it will not help us, and trying to make the best of it is the only option we currently have, but I fully understand that some will still be miserable because of given severity.

Do know I sincerely wish you well,
Stacken
 
Sorry @tpj. I'm fully aware of many people's unfathomable suffering, including yours. These conditions have my complete respect.

My point was merely that fighting it will not help us, and trying to make the best of it is the only option we currently have, but I fully understand that some will still be miserable because of given severity.

Do know I sincerely wish you well,
Stacken
No need to say sorry. You are right and apart from offing ourselves, what other choice do we have?
 

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