I have been taking the Alpha Lipoic Acid recommended by my doctor. I have experienced no new results as of yet. I will keep you posted.
Update: The Alpha Lipoic Acid did not work for me at all.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Tinnitus: Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber on Tinnitus
There is enough evidence to show that some patients of tinnitus do benefit from hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatment for tinnitus. Studies ranged from 60 minutes in a chamber at pressure and breathing high oxygen, to 1 year of treatment. One study showed about 33% of patients experienced improvement. Most sufferers experienced no change. Very few patients experienced a worsening of the tinnitus. The theory is that the pressurized oxygen is able to improve blood flow to the inner ear.
It makes sense that 33% of us would experience an improvement because not all tinnitus is the same nor does it have the same cause. Mine was noise induced but someone else may have a blood disorder as the cause. I would think that patients who have a blood disorder, that caused the tinnitus, would experience the greatest benefit from hyperbaric treatment (in theory).
I discovered pressurized air helps reduce my tinnitus for a few hours after I SCUBA dive. My tinnitus would practically disappear during and after a dive and then a few hours later it would suddenly startup again. It turns back on like a light switch. It is perplexing to me.
As a SCUBA diver descends he or she consumes greater volumes of compressed air molecules. A SCUBA regulator delivers greater volumes of air from the tank into the lungs to compensate for the compression of the molecules.
A SCUBA diver who is suffering from "the bends" receives higher concentrations of oxygen as part of the first aid treatment. According to the Diver's Alert Network, the bends can cause damage to the body that is equal to a car wreck. I wonder if the opposite is also true.
Could greater concentrations of oxygen cause positive results for the body? More specifically, could greater concentrations of oxygen at pressure minimize tinnitus?
Since cigarette smoking has been shown to affect tinnitus negatively we can conclude that it is not outside of the realm of possibility that oxygen, in greater concentration under pressure, may be a possible tinnitus temporary relief treatment in the future. It certainly warrants more study.
It makes sense that 33% of us would experience an improvement because not all tinnitus is the same nor does it have the same cause. Mine was noise induced but someone else may have a blood disorder as the cause. I would think that patients who have a blood disorder, that caused the tinnitus, would experience the greatest benefit from hyperbaric treatment (in theory).
I discovered pressurized air helps reduce my tinnitus for a few hours after I SCUBA dive. My tinnitus would practically disappear during and after a dive and then a few hours later it would suddenly startup again. It turns back on like a light switch. It is perplexing to me.
As a SCUBA diver descends he or she consumes greater volumes of compressed air molecules. A SCUBA regulator delivers greater volumes of air from the tank into the lungs to compensate for the compression of the molecules.
A SCUBA diver who is suffering from "the bends" receives higher concentrations of oxygen as part of the first aid treatment. According to the Diver's Alert Network, the bends can cause damage to the body that is equal to a car wreck. I wonder if the opposite is also true.
Could greater concentrations of oxygen cause positive results for the body? More specifically, could greater concentrations of oxygen at pressure minimize tinnitus?
Since cigarette smoking has been shown to affect tinnitus negatively we can conclude that it is not outside of the realm of possibility that oxygen, in greater concentration under pressure, may be a possible tinnitus temporary relief treatment in the future. It certainly warrants more study.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tinnitus: Mayo Clinic
I recently discovered the Mayo Clinic web site and noticed that they listed Hyperbaric Chamber as a temporary relief treatment.
There have been other studies: Click here and navigate to page 33 to see more about Hyperbaric study results.
We do know that SCUBA diving causes blood pressure to raise at depth. We also know that more air volume is needed to fill the lungs at depth. The percentage of oxygen/other gasses is the same but the molecules are more condensed. That is the reason for a regulator. Astronauts in space notice a significant change in blood pressure. Blood pressure changes to very low (due to weightlessness). The heart doesn't have to work as hard in space.
My theory is that compressed and expanded oxygen molecules have an effect in the blood stream that impacts tinnitus. The alveoli in the lungs, are where a researcher should look closely. Also the oxygen pressure inside of the fluid of the cochlea. Another area to research would be oxygens affect on the auditory center inside of the brain. For example, is oscillation affected by more oxygen at depth?
Nasa should send someone with tinnitus into space to see if the tinnitus doesn't disappear completely.
I cold be wrong, true weightlessness (in space) may impact objective and subjective tinnitus in a positive way because people with bent cilia in the cochlea may have the hairs begin to float back to their normal position in a weightless environment. It is also possible for the broken cilia, inside of the cochlea of a chronic severe tinnitus sufferer, would begin to float around and cause more damage inside of the cochlea (in space). In my opinion, it warrants a space experiment.
I have subjective tinnitus. I do notice a reduction in my ringing ears during and for a few hours after SCUBA diving. I can't explain it. I'm perplexed as to why it happens.
It could be that the sound underwater is masking the ringing, or the auditory center of the brain is distracted by some other brain function that only occurs when I SCUBA dive (oxytocin release could be the reason), or the compressed oxygen molecules in my system are having an impact on my brain and auditory system.
Another possibility is that the oxygen pressure in the fluid inside my cochlea has changed at depth. The cochlea is a fluid filled space and shouldn't be impacted by pressure. But if the amount of oxygen has been delivered more efficiently to my cochlea that could be the answer. The tinnitus does return suddenly, like a light switch has turn on. It is perplexing.
There is some evidence that points to increased oxygen at depth as a future treatment method for some tinnitus sufferers.
There have been other studies: Click here and navigate to page 33 to see more about Hyperbaric study results.
We do know that SCUBA diving causes blood pressure to raise at depth. We also know that more air volume is needed to fill the lungs at depth. The percentage of oxygen/other gasses is the same but the molecules are more condensed. That is the reason for a regulator. Astronauts in space notice a significant change in blood pressure. Blood pressure changes to very low (due to weightlessness). The heart doesn't have to work as hard in space.
My theory is that compressed and expanded oxygen molecules have an effect in the blood stream that impacts tinnitus. The alveoli in the lungs, are where a researcher should look closely. Also the oxygen pressure inside of the fluid of the cochlea. Another area to research would be oxygens affect on the auditory center inside of the brain. For example, is oscillation affected by more oxygen at depth?
Nasa should send someone with tinnitus into space to see if the tinnitus doesn't disappear completely.
I cold be wrong, true weightlessness (in space) may impact objective and subjective tinnitus in a positive way because people with bent cilia in the cochlea may have the hairs begin to float back to their normal position in a weightless environment. It is also possible for the broken cilia, inside of the cochlea of a chronic severe tinnitus sufferer, would begin to float around and cause more damage inside of the cochlea (in space). In my opinion, it warrants a space experiment.
I have subjective tinnitus. I do notice a reduction in my ringing ears during and for a few hours after SCUBA diving. I can't explain it. I'm perplexed as to why it happens.
It could be that the sound underwater is masking the ringing, or the auditory center of the brain is distracted by some other brain function that only occurs when I SCUBA dive (oxytocin release could be the reason), or the compressed oxygen molecules in my system are having an impact on my brain and auditory system.
Another possibility is that the oxygen pressure in the fluid inside my cochlea has changed at depth. The cochlea is a fluid filled space and shouldn't be impacted by pressure. But if the amount of oxygen has been delivered more efficiently to my cochlea that could be the answer. The tinnitus does return suddenly, like a light switch has turn on. It is perplexing.
There is some evidence that points to increased oxygen at depth as a future treatment method for some tinnitus sufferers.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Tinnitus: Temporary Relief
There are only a few times where I have experienced an absolute silencing of the ringing. I am a volunteer scuba diver at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Every other Monday I drop into the Kelp Forest and perform a feeding show. During the show and for two hours afterward I experience absolutely no ringing. It is incredible. Then after about two hours it is like a lightswitch that flicks on and the ringing starts again. I would like to see someone research the effects of placing tinnitus sufferers into a hyperbaric chamber for temporary relief.
Tinnitus: What Works For Me
Here is what I do to manage the tinnitus. This is about managing. It is not a cure.
1. I participate in a Pilates class twice per week. This exercise regimen keeps my blood pressure low yet yields core strength results.
2. I eat hot oatmeal prior to going to sleep every night.
3. I use Resound TS hearing aids with maskers built-in, throughout the day.
4. I avoid alcohol, caffinated coffee, secondary cigarette smoke, chocolate and salt as much as possible. I try to eat color (green, red, orange, yellow, orange, purple). Subway sandwich shop is a good choice.
5. I take Lunesta as needed to sleep. Tolerance can build up and so my treatment team recommended that I take a holiday from it a few times every other week. That is really hard to do because I absolutely cannot sleep without it on most nights.
6. To reduce noise pollution I use a system that I call the Noise Pollution Reduction System (NPRS). David Werkheiser and I integrated and innovated existing technologies to create the system. The system components are hearing aids with maskers built-in. (Resound Live TS), noise cancellation headphones (Bose Quietcomfort 15), and a professional recorder (Samson H2next).
I bring the system to movie theaters and can control the noise of the movie before it passes into my outer ears. It works. I avoid excessively loud events like concerts, air shows, and music festivals because the vibration of extremely loud noises can still have an affect on the ears. I also avoid certain noises that are in my damage range (e.g. sirens, crying babies, etc.).
7. To add more masking options, I use an iPhone App called White Noise. Heavy rain mixed with thunder works best to mask my tinnitus as best as I can.
8. I joined the American Tinnitus Association. ATA members often social network and it really helps to be able to talk with people who are also suffering from the same condition. I spent years suffering without support and they were there when I really needed them.
9. I use a Nook tablet to reduce eye strain while reading. I adjust the letter size to extra large. This helps to prevent tinnitus flare ups that occur because of eye strain.
10. I remain realistic about my condition. I understand that it limits me and creates really awkward social situations at times. At this point, I'm used to the awkwardness. It comes with the tinnitus. One example would be not drinking alcohol at a social gathering. It can really put people off.
1. I participate in a Pilates class twice per week. This exercise regimen keeps my blood pressure low yet yields core strength results.
2. I eat hot oatmeal prior to going to sleep every night.
3. I use Resound TS hearing aids with maskers built-in, throughout the day.
4. I avoid alcohol, caffinated coffee, secondary cigarette smoke, chocolate and salt as much as possible. I try to eat color (green, red, orange, yellow, orange, purple). Subway sandwich shop is a good choice.
5. I take Lunesta as needed to sleep. Tolerance can build up and so my treatment team recommended that I take a holiday from it a few times every other week. That is really hard to do because I absolutely cannot sleep without it on most nights.
6. To reduce noise pollution I use a system that I call the Noise Pollution Reduction System (NPRS). David Werkheiser and I integrated and innovated existing technologies to create the system. The system components are hearing aids with maskers built-in. (Resound Live TS), noise cancellation headphones (Bose Quietcomfort 15), and a professional recorder (Samson H2next).
I bring the system to movie theaters and can control the noise of the movie before it passes into my outer ears. It works. I avoid excessively loud events like concerts, air shows, and music festivals because the vibration of extremely loud noises can still have an affect on the ears. I also avoid certain noises that are in my damage range (e.g. sirens, crying babies, etc.).
7. To add more masking options, I use an iPhone App called White Noise. Heavy rain mixed with thunder works best to mask my tinnitus as best as I can.
8. I joined the American Tinnitus Association. ATA members often social network and it really helps to be able to talk with people who are also suffering from the same condition. I spent years suffering without support and they were there when I really needed them.
9. I use a Nook tablet to reduce eye strain while reading. I adjust the letter size to extra large. This helps to prevent tinnitus flare ups that occur because of eye strain.
10. I remain realistic about my condition. I understand that it limits me and creates really awkward social situations at times. At this point, I'm used to the awkwardness. It comes with the tinnitus. One example would be not drinking alcohol at a social gathering. It can really put people off.
Tinnitus: Snake Oil Cures
When first diagnosed I tried a product called Clear Tinnitus and realized it was a snake oil placebo product. Look at the other products that this company produces and note the pattern of the types of remedies this company sells.
Sadly, the company unethically raises expectations and takes money from desperate people. You can save yourself the money. This product absolutely does not work. Here is another bogus product t-gone. I mean COME ON!!! Look at the style of the website and the label on the product. Would you really trust these people enough to drink their concoction!? Oh, and let's not forget Quietus.
These companies know that there is a huge market of some 50 million people suffering from tinnitus. Unfortunately, the money that these companies take from people could have been used for researching a real cure.
The problem with these placebos is that shortly after every marketing promotion that they do I get some calls and emails from well intended people who tell me that there is a new cure. It is frustrating. In the case of my tinnitus, the hairs in the cochlea on both sides are gone. They will not grow back. Anyone who thinks that those hairs will grow back because of a pill is as crazy as someone who thinks that a pill will cause a limb to grow back. The only reason that these companies make money is because tinnitus is a non-visible disability.
The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) has been searching for a cure for years. Believe me, if there was a cure, they would know. The ATA states that there is no cure. Part of raising awareness is pointing out these placebo factories. If anyone has been cured of tinnitus while taking these pills it is highly likely that person had acute tinnitus (which would have improved naturally without the placebo) or the person is lying.
As a side note, it is important that you do not give up hope for a cure. Think positive. You have to manage your tinnitus until a real cure arrives. I believe that a cure will come in the form of computerized cochlear implants, advanced micro-surgery, or cochlear replacement. There is a lot of research going on.
Sadly, the company unethically raises expectations and takes money from desperate people. You can save yourself the money. This product absolutely does not work. Here is another bogus product t-gone. I mean COME ON!!! Look at the style of the website and the label on the product. Would you really trust these people enough to drink their concoction!? Oh, and let's not forget Quietus.
These companies know that there is a huge market of some 50 million people suffering from tinnitus. Unfortunately, the money that these companies take from people could have been used for researching a real cure.
The problem with these placebos is that shortly after every marketing promotion that they do I get some calls and emails from well intended people who tell me that there is a new cure. It is frustrating. In the case of my tinnitus, the hairs in the cochlea on both sides are gone. They will not grow back. Anyone who thinks that those hairs will grow back because of a pill is as crazy as someone who thinks that a pill will cause a limb to grow back. The only reason that these companies make money is because tinnitus is a non-visible disability.
The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) has been searching for a cure for years. Believe me, if there was a cure, they would know. The ATA states that there is no cure. Part of raising awareness is pointing out these placebo factories. If anyone has been cured of tinnitus while taking these pills it is highly likely that person had acute tinnitus (which would have improved naturally without the placebo) or the person is lying.
As a side note, it is important that you do not give up hope for a cure. Think positive. You have to manage your tinnitus until a real cure arrives. I believe that a cure will come in the form of computerized cochlear implants, advanced micro-surgery, or cochlear replacement. There is a lot of research going on.
Tinnitus: Course Management
The phrase Course Management was one my father introduced to me years ago when we were playing golf. I hit the golfball off and far to the right and got upset. I threw my club down in anger and my Dad said. "Steve, you need to learn course management. Consider that you are playing an entire game not just hitting balls. What does it matter if you hit a few bad shots when you hit more good shots overall. Play the whole course. This is how you manage your emotions." I have carried this off of the golf course that day and into life. It is a philosophy for me. You may have Tinnitus but you have to look at your talents and what you plan to do with this precious life? How will you positively impact other people?
Tinnitus: Depression
For people with chronic severe tinnitus, insomnia and depression typically increase with flare ups. Mood also decreases as tinnitus flares up. Because the tinnitus is chronic the tinnitus sufferer can experience chronic insomnia and depression. It can feel like a roller coaster of emotions that increase and decrease randomly based on the level of tinnitus flare up.
Here are the steps to continuously overcoming the depression that may be secondary to the tinnitus:
1. Accept the fact that you have this condition. Your life will change. You may not enjoy doing the things that you used to enjoy doing. In fact, you may not feel like even moving.
2. Understand you are not the only one. Join a group like the American Tinnitus Association. They have a Facebook page for social networking.
3. Remain hopeful. Even though there is not a cure (yet) there will be a cure one day.
4. Watch comedy movies. Laughter is healthy and can shift your mood quickly.
5. Control your context. If a noise is aggravating your tinnitus then say so or leave the area. Don't just take it. You have a choice. It may be difficult and people may not be understanding but you cannot allow yourself to get worse. In short, don't be a people pleaser.
6. Change your context. If you are inside a building and feeling depressed or suicidal, then go outside and take a deep breath. If you are outside and feeling depressed or suicidal then go inside and take a deep breath. Call a friend or family member. Do this as often as needed until the thought pattern breaks. The important thing is to immediately interrupt those thoughts by suddenly changing your environment.
7. Focus on what you can do as opposed to what you used to be able to do. If your arms or legs work then you can exercise them. Why not join an exercise class? Use weights at home. Get moving.
8. If you are avoiding people entirely. Force yourself out to lunch with a friend.
9. If you fear that people will think that you are weird. Guess what? Everyone is weird in some way. Consider that, eventually, everyone on the planet becomes sick or disabled in some way at some point in their lives.
10. If you are worried about social stigmas. Don't be. You cannot help that you have this condition.
Here are the steps to continuously overcoming the depression that may be secondary to the tinnitus:
1. Accept the fact that you have this condition. Your life will change. You may not enjoy doing the things that you used to enjoy doing. In fact, you may not feel like even moving.
2. Understand you are not the only one. Join a group like the American Tinnitus Association. They have a Facebook page for social networking.
3. Remain hopeful. Even though there is not a cure (yet) there will be a cure one day.
4. Watch comedy movies. Laughter is healthy and can shift your mood quickly.
5. Control your context. If a noise is aggravating your tinnitus then say so or leave the area. Don't just take it. You have a choice. It may be difficult and people may not be understanding but you cannot allow yourself to get worse. In short, don't be a people pleaser.
6. Change your context. If you are inside a building and feeling depressed or suicidal, then go outside and take a deep breath. If you are outside and feeling depressed or suicidal then go inside and take a deep breath. Call a friend or family member. Do this as often as needed until the thought pattern breaks. The important thing is to immediately interrupt those thoughts by suddenly changing your environment.
7. Focus on what you can do as opposed to what you used to be able to do. If your arms or legs work then you can exercise them. Why not join an exercise class? Use weights at home. Get moving.
8. If you are avoiding people entirely. Force yourself out to lunch with a friend.
9. If you fear that people will think that you are weird. Guess what? Everyone is weird in some way. Consider that, eventually, everyone on the planet becomes sick or disabled in some way at some point in their lives.
10. If you are worried about social stigmas. Don't be. You cannot help that you have this condition.
Tinnitus: Research
There are two camps in regard to research. Some research suggests tinnitus is a brain malfunction that causes the brain to perceive the ears are ringing when they really are not ringing at all. The other camp believes there is a physiological middle ear disorder, possible death of the tiny hairs that carry sound but also buffer against ringing. As a sufferer I tend to want to believe it is physiological and not a mental disorder. Because, let's face it, only a nut would intentionally believe they have a screw lose.
Tinnitus: Consequences
- Exhaustion
- Loss of sleep
- Never a quiet moment
- Short and long-term memory lapses
- Stress
All of these consequences stem from very loud constant ringing in the ears. It is not hard to imagine how the combination of these consequences can lead to inconsistent non-verbal communication resulting in social debilitation.
Tinnitus: Background
My name is Steven Lucas. I suffer from Tinnitus. Specifically, I have a loud constant ringing in my right ear and milder ringing in my left ear. I have suffered with this severe ringing for two years. However, I had much milder ringing for many years.
There are many web sites out there and a lot of text about the topic but they do not describe it from the sufferers perspective. It is my goal, with this blog, to chronicle my journey with this condition. Perhaps these updates will help lead to a cure.
There are many web sites out there and a lot of text about the topic but they do not describe it from the sufferers perspective. It is my goal, with this blog, to chronicle my journey with this condition. Perhaps these updates will help lead to a cure.
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