I've had that constant ringing in my left ear for a few years, and it is getting worse. Peggy tells be that my hearing is poor. I'm happy to be doing as good as I am. Osteo-arthritis, titanium left knee, back spasms come and go. Still using the set of teeth mother nature gave me (lots of them missing), and I use $7.95 readers I get at Walmart. Still have need for a comb, although it does more work in the front than the back. The shoulders are painful, but not that bad.
BTW - I have discovered that I can drown out the ear-ringing by cranking up the volume on my iTunes playlists, especially with good quality headphones. Yeh I know - that won't help my hearing in the long run, but **** - I do love my music!
Just the thought of going to the VA makes me crazy.
Again, I take perverse pleasure in knowing so many of you have the same issues with hearing! Its a real treat when I visit my 88 year old mom in Ohio...she is almost totally deaf and rarely wears her hearing aids, plus her voice has gotten weaker with age. We don't really converse, its me yelling in her direction and then asking her to repeat herself....which she can't hear....which starts the whole cycle again...
Randy: MOM, DO YOU NEED ANYTHING FROM THE STORE??!!
Mom: what?
Randy: I SAID, DO YOU NEED ANYTHING FROM THE STORE??!!
Mom: no, I didn't open the door
Randy: HUH??!!
Mom: what?
Yeah it does, my mom just paid over 6 thousand for a set of hearing aids and I still have to yell. I sometimes think it may be selective hearing on her part. She says she hears a lot better, but you can't prove that by me.
To treat your tinnitus, your doctor will first try to identify any underlying, treatable condition that may be associated with your symptoms. If tinnitus is due to a health condition, your doctor may be able to take steps that could reduce the noise. Examples include:
Earwax removal. Removing impacted earwax can decrease tinnitus symptoms. Treating a blood vessel condition. Underlying vascular conditions may require medication, surgery or another treatment to address the problem.
Changing your medication. If a medication you're taking appears to be the cause of tinnitus, your doctor may recommend stopping or reducing the drug, or switching to a different medication.
Noise suppression In some cases white noise may help suppress the sound so that it's less bothersome. Your doctor may suggest using an electronic device to suppress the noise. Devices include:
White noise machines. These devices, which produce simulated environmental sounds such as falling rain or ocean waves, are often an effective treatment for tinnitus. You may want to try a white noise machine with pillow speakers to help you sleep. Fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air conditioners in the bedroom may also help cover the internal noise at night.
Hearing aids. These can be especially helpful if you have hearing problems as well as tinnitus. Masking devices. Worn in the ear and similar to hearing aids, these devices produce a continuous, low-level white noise that suppresses tinnitus symptoms.
Tinnitus retraining. A wearable device delivers individually programmed tonal music to mask the specific frequencies of the tinnitus you experience. Over time, this technique may accustom you to the tinnitus, thereby helping you not to focus on it.
Counseling is often a component of tinnitus retraining.
Drugs can't cure tinnitus, but in some cases they may help reduce the severity of symptoms or complications. Possible medications include:
Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline, have been used with some success. However, these medications are generally used for only severe tinnitus, as they can cause troublesome side effects, including dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation and heart problems.
Alprazolam (Niravam, Xanax) may help reduce tinnitus symptoms, but side effects can include drowsiness and nausea. It can also become habit-forming.
Thanks, Jim. Good stuff here. I've been using a fan for years to go to sleep. It not only helps mask my tinnitus, but also helps with unwanted outside ambient noises, not to mention (without mentioning any names) someone's snoring.
I am amazed though, at how many possible remedies were mentioned in that article. On my last VA visit to the hearing clinic, when I got my hearing aid, there was a sign for people to sign up with tinnitus problems. Until now, I assumed it was only experimental. I WILL be going back to check it out.
Thanks again.
Charlie Costa
