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Suggest Treatment For Tinnitus

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Posted on Thu, 13 Oct 2016
Question: I have had Tinnitus for many years. How can this be treated?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Details as discussed below:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. Almost all people at some point in their lives experience tinnitus. Tinnitus does not have a cure, however, it may be controlled. How severe is your tinnitus on a scale of 1 to 10?

2. Get your ears examined to rule out any ear wax which is one of the commonest causes of Tinnitus. Also rule out any perforation of the ear drum. Decreased hearing also makes one more aware of tinnitus. Get a PTA (Pure Tone Audiogram) done. If you have a hearing loss, amplification may help mask the tinnitus. You may also get your middle ear pressures checked (Impedance Audiometry or Tympanometry).

3. The exact cause of Tinnitus is unknown. However one of the the agreed pathologies is damage to or loss of to hair cells in the inner ear. The role of the brain in the perception of Tinnitus also exists. For example, some people have been relieved of Tinnitus after a cerebral stroke, while some continue to hear it even after the Cochlear (Hearing) Nerve is cut.

4. What is your exposure to noise / music / earphones / XXXXXXX phones? Exposure to loud noise is also a leading cause for tinnitus.

5. If your Tinnitus increases on clenching the teeth, it may require dental bite correction.

6. I have noticed patients who have increased Tinnitus when they are stressed, have fluctuations of blood pressure, low hemoglobin, low blood sugar levels and so on.

7. Cochlear Synaptic Tinnitus may be treated in up to 50% people with Caroverine infusion followed by capsules for two months. Other treatments such as transtympanic steroids, gingko biloba, multi-vitamins and anti-oxidants may also help in reducing Tinnitus.

8. Tinnitus retraining therapy is a habituation therapy with exposure to white band noise. Tinnitus matching can be done. Certain hearing aids can help cancel those frequencies. Sound generators using pink noise and different types of noise (such as Sound Oasis) are available.

9. Kindly let me know the results of your investigations. This will help in suggesting further treatment.

10. I must emphasize that in a vast majority of patients of tinnitus, the cause is never found. However there are further treatment options depending on the type of tinnitus.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (3 hours later)
Dr XXXXXXX thanks for your explanation. My tinnitus at its worse is about a 6. My normal is about a 4, and sometimes, but rarely it is a 1. I am not exposed to a lot of loud noises, but I do believe the tinnitus started about 10 years ago after I tried to restart playing the trumpet. I did stop playing At that time. Also, it is only in my left ear. I did try a supplement years ago but received little benefit, I believe it was a vitamin B based with other components, not any of those you me mentioned.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (21 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Thank you.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. A tinnitus between 4 and 6 does warrant a trial of treatment.

2. You can search for these treatments in your area.

3. Let me know the progress.

Wishing you a satisfactory recovery.

Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumit Bhatti

Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 2685 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Tinnitus

Brief Answer: Details as discussed below: Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. 1. Almost all people at some point in their lives experience tinnitus. Tinnitus does not have a cure, however, it may be controlled. How severe is your tinnitus on a scale of 1 to 10? 2. Get your ears examined to rule out any ear wax which is one of the commonest causes of Tinnitus. Also rule out any perforation of the ear drum. Decreased hearing also makes one more aware of tinnitus. Get a PTA (Pure Tone Audiogram) done. If you have a hearing loss, amplification may help mask the tinnitus. You may also get your middle ear pressures checked (Impedance Audiometry or Tympanometry). 3. The exact cause of Tinnitus is unknown. However one of the the agreed pathologies is damage to or loss of to hair cells in the inner ear. The role of the brain in the perception of Tinnitus also exists. For example, some people have been relieved of Tinnitus after a cerebral stroke, while some continue to hear it even after the Cochlear (Hearing) Nerve is cut. 4. What is your exposure to noise / music / earphones / XXXXXXX phones? Exposure to loud noise is also a leading cause for tinnitus. 5. If your Tinnitus increases on clenching the teeth, it may require dental bite correction. 6. I have noticed patients who have increased Tinnitus when they are stressed, have fluctuations of blood pressure, low hemoglobin, low blood sugar levels and so on. 7. Cochlear Synaptic Tinnitus may be treated in up to 50% people with Caroverine infusion followed by capsules for two months. Other treatments such as transtympanic steroids, gingko biloba, multi-vitamins and anti-oxidants may also help in reducing Tinnitus. 8. Tinnitus retraining therapy is a habituation therapy with exposure to white band noise. Tinnitus matching can be done. Certain hearing aids can help cancel those frequencies. Sound generators using pink noise and different types of noise (such as Sound Oasis) are available. 9. Kindly let me know the results of your investigations. This will help in suggesting further treatment. 10. I must emphasize that in a vast majority of patients of tinnitus, the cause is never found. However there are further treatment options depending on the type of tinnitus. I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them. Regards.