Tinnitus: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

TMS, an experimental treatment, is showing some positive effects as a possible future cure for tinnitus. I tried to enroll in a research study but was disqualified because my tinnitus is so loud that the doctor performing the research did not want to risk making it worse. My tinnitus flares up during MRI's. He explained that the field strength of the magnets that he uses are similar to an MRI and are too large to pinpoint exactly where the auditory system damage is located. However, he and I had a great conversation.

He told me that he is finding various levels of sensitivity to the magnetic fields. I asked him if he had ever heard of EHS (Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome). He said no. I explained it to him. He was pretty receptive. 

Here is the bottom line. I think that TMS, when the magnetic field strengths reach pinpoint accuracy will cure tinnitus that is caused by TBI. It is my belief that once the auditory control panel in the brain that is responsible for the internal sound is identified it can be switched off. The trick is being able to switch it off without doing other damage. We don't want to be cured of tinnitus only to find that the side effects of the treatment are worse than the tinnitus. For example, I'd like to have my ringing ears quiet down but not at the expense of never being able to blink my eyelids again.

I'm hopeful that a cure will be here by 2018. I'm counting on it!