Post on 19-Jul-2020
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Introduction ......................................................................................... 4
Understanding Tinnitus........................................................................ 6
The Ear .............................................................................................. 6
The Tinnitus Condition .................................................................... 16
Taking Back Control Of The Volume .................................................. 25
Medication And Treatment ............................................................ 25
Alternative Therapies ...................................................................... 29
Basic Ear Care .................................................................................. 34
Latest Findings ................................................................................... 39
Resources ........................................................................................... 43
Conclusion .......................................................................................... 45
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Introduction
Have you ever had the (temporary) sensation of hearing loss in any ear, or both ears before?
If your answer is in the affirmative, then you are part of the number of the 50 million of
Americans who experience hearing loss in one way or another, in one ear or another.
This sounds really horrible, isn’t it?
Can you imagine being unable to hear anything in the world – The loving tone of your loved
one speaking to you? The pleasing sounds of your favorite piece of music?
In the latest data provided by Hearing Health Foundation
(http://hearinghealthfoundation.org/statistics), it has been shown that tinnitus (ringing in the
ears) can affect 20% of Americans. Of this 20%, 90% of patients will eventually suffer from
eventual hearing loss.
So who are these 20% of people diagnosed with tinnitus?
Well, a sizable portion of them actually account from 2 groups of people: war veterans and
musicians. I’m sure you’re surprised now at the 2 disparate groups of people. Musicians and
veterans?
First, the study revealed that 60% of the veterans (Afghanistan and Iraq) returned home with
tinnitus. Sad to say, this is the Number 1 war wound.
Meanwhile, quite a number of musicians developed tinnitus as a result of playing with bands
which revolved around loud music. For instance, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich knew he had
a problem when he woke up in the middle of the night to turn off the loud TV.
He had the shock of his life when he realized that the TV wasn’t on, and that the music was
from his own ears!
The results of a 6-year research study indicated that the cognitive capabilities of adults (ages
75 – 84) with hearing loss declined 30% - 40% FASTER than others of normal hearing. On
average, older adults with hearing loss suffered significant loss in their cognitive abilities 3.2
years EARLIER than others of normal hearing.
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At the same time, ear-ringing also brings with it other associated conditions, such as
depression and debilitating consequences from isolation.
End Tinnitus Today aims to be a complete and thorough guide on the subject on tinnitus.
“Understanding Tinnitus” will bring to you the inner workings of the ear, how this condition
develops, and the generation information of this earful problem.
“Taking Back Control Of The Volume” will focus on the strategies in overcoming tinnitus. We
will look at the available medication and treatments. On top of that, we will explore the
natural remedies and the alternative treatments out there in the market.
In addition, we will also provide some basic care strategies about the ear.
As the name suggests, “Latest Findings” will bring to you the latest solutions to the ear-ringing
dilemma and the newest therapies to regain the hearing.
With End Tinnitus Today, we hope you have a better and informed idea about tinnitus and
what you can do to protect your hearing, if not to safeguard the remaining ability of your
damaged hearing.
Hearing is one of our essential aspects of senses, and like sight and speech, we cannot do
without our ears, or the basic functions of it. Once we lose it, we would flounder in the world
out there.
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Understanding Tinnitus
The Ear
Before we go into the tinnitus condition, let’s go through some fundamental
knowledge of the ear by looking into the basic anatomy.
We start off by clearing up some myths about the ear, and the hearing aid.
MYTH – Hearing only affects old people. I’m young. I won’t get it.
In the introduction, we mentioned that hearing loss increases in severity according to age.
Yes that is true in itself.
However, the younger group is even more at risk. In this modern day, the unhealthy habits of
the younger lot see them virtually plugged to their earphones every minute of the day. Be it
pounding angst music or watching dramas and shows on the ubiquitous cell phone, young
adults have a higher risk at damaging their ears much earlier in life!
MYTH – Even if I have one ear down, the other one is all right, and everything is fine.
Everything is relative. To be honest, nearly all patients who claimed to have a good ear
essentially have 2 bad ones. In the event that one ear is better than the other, we will learn
to favor the better ear. We turn that particular ear towards the conversation, we use the
phone for that particular ear and so on and so forth. This only imparts the illusion that the
better ear is better, when it is not.
MYTH – Hearing aids will only make me look handicapped.
People always seem to be more affected by the aspect of “looking older” or
“looking handicapped”. Indeed, that is likely the reason why hearing aids
manufacturer make it in such a way that the piece fits perfectly in the ear
canal. It is all a matter of mindset. If the hearing aid can assist you in
functioning like any other human being, the “stigma” is removed.
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You would be surprised that now technology has advanced in such a way that you realized
that the hearing aids that people are wearing nowadays are wireless aids, or better fitting
ones.
Look at it this way too, smiling and nodding your head at something which is not funny (but
which you thought it was) only makes it apparent that you are handicapped in some way.
MYTH – Hearing aids regains my hearing.
The word is “regain”.
Generally, the hearing aid amplifies sound, so that you can hear clearly.
With that, your listening ability improves, and this substantially
enhances the quality of your life. Hearing aids won’t restore your
hearing, or cure you of your hearing loss.
MYTH – Q-tips are great tools to clean my ears with.
This is one very ridiculous myth.
In fact, q-tips, like hairclips, hairpins, the key, or even the small finger nail, may only impact
the wax and drive it deeper into the ear canal.
Over time, the impacted wax hardens and creates even more problems. By then, the damage
is done.
At the same time, since the ear drum can be easily accessible to the q-tip, then it is equally
likely that it can pierce or puncture the ear drum.
Essentially, your ears are quite self-cleaning in a sense. The wax is collected in the outer part
of the ear and usually washed away by shower.
If you feel that your ears require more cleaning than the usual, consult your doctor.
Now, with the myths cleared up, let’s explore the inner workings of the ear.
Basically, the ear is the organ which detects sound.
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Some people consider the visible portion the ear, while others look at the whole connection
of the ear (visible and invisible) and call that the ear. The ear is basically made up of 3 parts:
the outer ear (the visible portion), the middle ear, and finally, the inner ear. Let’s take a look
at each of them, starting with the outer ear.
Outer Ear –
The outer ear is the most external portion of the ear.
It includes the following:
The pinna is further made up of the curving outer rim (helix) and the inner curved rim (the
anti-helix). The rims, and by that extension the whole pinna, are ridged cartilage covered by
skin.
It opens into the ear canal (officially known as the external acoustic meatus). The ear canal is
also known as the auditory canal. The skin of this ear canal contains fine hairs and glands
which secretes wax.
Near the ear canal, the tragus protrudes and partially covers it.
The ear canal stretches for a distance of about an inch. The inner part of it is surrounded by
bone. The outer layer is surrounded by cartilage. The ear canal is the part of the ear which
conducts sound.
The ear canal ends at the ear drum, the external surface of it. This external part is also known
as the tympanic membrane.
2 sets of muscles are linked to the outer ear, and they are called the intrinsic and extrinsic
muscles. In humans, their purpose is minimal, although in animals, the muscles can
manipulate the direction of the pinna.
The pinna, or auricle (visible outer ear).
The ear canal.
The outer layer of the tympanic membrane (ear drum).
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These 2 muscles are supplied by the action of the facial nerve, which also supplies the
sensation to the skin of the ear, and the ear cavity itself.
The function of the outer ear is to provide protection (for the rest of the ear) and to channel
sound.
Middle Ear –
The middle ear is an air-filled cavity behind the tympanic membrane (ear drum).
The cavity is made of 3 bones (ossicles) – the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil) and the stapes
(stirrup). It is also called the tympanic cavity.
Overall, the bones transmit the sound from the tympanic membrane (ear drum) to the
ventricles of the ear. The malleus is connected to the tympanic membrane, a sort of a long
handle.
The incus links the malleus and the stapes together, like a bridge bone. The stapes is the
smallest bone in the body, and also known as a footplate.
The bones are arranged in such a way that the transfer and transmission of sound is smooth.
The stapes pushes on an oval window (linked to the inner ear) and results in the movement
of fluid within the cochlear (part of the inner ear).
In our ears, and that of mammals, the middle ear is normally filled with air. However this air
is not in direct contact with the air, or atmosphere, outside of the body.
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The middle ear is where impacted ear wax may cause trouble with hearing, and may cause
conducive hearing loss.
In the middle, there is also a Eustachian tube, which acts to equalize between the inner and
outer surfaces of the tympanic membrane.
Inner Ear –
The inner ear is the final section and is made of 2 parts – the bony and the membranous
labyrinths. The reason why the labyrinth is used as the naming is due to the complex structure
of the inner ear.
The inner ear contains the sensory organs responsible for
balance and motion called the utricle and the saccule. This
is one of the major functions of the inner ear – to operate
the body’s sense of balance and equilibrium. The other
major function is of course to send the converted
information of the sound to the brain, and the rest of the
body.
The bony labyrinth is a bone matrix which opens externally into the oval window (middle ear),
which is linked to the incus (the bridge bone of the middle ear).
The membranous labyrinth is filled with a fluid called the endolymph. The endolymph is
contained within the 2 sensory organs, the utricle and the saccule.
The endolymph will eventually transfer the sound to the attached cochlea, a spiral-shaped
structure, and the nerves of the inner ear. The sound will be converted into signals and
transmitted to the brain.
The cochlea is made of 3 fluid-filled chambers or spaces – the scala tympani, the scala vestibuli
and the scala media. These 3 chambers spiral around a bony core known as the cochlear duct.
The main hearing organ is located within the duct, and is known as the organ of Corti, and is
filled with fine hairs.
There is also an auditory tube in the inner ear which will drain fluid from the middle ear into
the throat.
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How Do We Hear?
After going through the 3 sections of the ear, you now have an idea of how sound travels. This
is how hearing occurs in this very simplified process:
Based on the signals and the interpretation by the brain, our reaction is accordingly reflected
in our movements.
The ear is very delicate, and can be prone to various conditions if we don’t maintain it well.
Here is a look at some of the conditions which can afflict our hearing organ:
The pinna picks up sound from the surrounding stimuli.
The sound is carried through the ear canal (auditory canal).
The sound impacts on the tympanic membrane (ear drum) and causes it to vibrate.
The sound is transmitted by the tympanic cavity, and further carried by the 3 bones in
succession (malleus, incus, stapes).
The oval window also vibrates and transmits to the fluid (endolymph) in the inner ear.
The cochlea will convert the endolymph vibration into a signal and send it to the brain
through the nerves.
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Swimmer’s ear (Otitis externa) – Inflammation of the outer ear. Usually caused by an
infection (bacterial, fungal etc). It can be very painful, and may interfere with sleep. In
chronic situations, it may be due to a skin condition (dermatitis).
Middle ear inflammation (Otitis media) – Inflammation of the middle ear, behind the
eardrum. Usually caused by an infection. May be characterized by severe ear ache, or
high temperature (especially in children).
Cerumen impaction – The blockage of the ear canal by ear wax which adheres to the
ear drum, thus causing diminished hearing.
Ruptured ear drum – The tearing of the ear drum by sudden loud noises, abrupt
changes in the air pressure, infection, or foreign objects.
Acoustic neuroma – Non-cancerous tumor growing on the nerve between the ear and
the brain.
Cholesteatoma – Another type of benign cancer. Caused by the build-up of fibrous
tissue. May result in a chronic, smelly discharge. If left untreated, the hearing and
sense of balance may be destroyed. Facial nerves may also be affected.
Testing And Diagnosis
A hearing test usually provides an evaluation of the
sensitivity of a person’s hearing. It is often
performed by an audiologist. An audiometer is
often used.
Here are some other types of hearing evaluations:
Rinne Test –
This test is used primarily to evaluate hearing loss in one ear.
It is usually conducted together with the Weber Test (see below).
The test is named after Heinrich Adolf Rinne (January 24, 1819 – July 26, 1868), a German
otologist.
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The test is carried out by placing a tuning fork (high frequency, 512 Hz) against the patient’s
mastoid bone, and the patient’s feedback of the moment when the sound cannot be heard
following tuning.
Once the feedback is given, the tuning fork is supposed to be re-positioned, about 1 – 2 cm
from the auditory canal, and the subsequent feedback whether the patient can hear the
tuning fork.
Weber Test –
This test is a quick screening test for hearing. Named
after Ernst Heinrich Weber (June 24, 1795 – January
26, 1878), a German physician, the test detects:
In this test, a tuning fork is placed on the middle of the forehead, above the upper lip and
under the nose, or on top of the head equidistant from the patient’s ears. The patient is to
determine which ear detects a louder sound when the fork is tuned.
Hearing In Noise Test (HINT) –
This test measures the ability to hear in silence and in a noisy environment.
The patient is required to repeat sentences in these 2 environments, with competing noise
presented in various directions. It will measure the signal-to-noise ratio for the following
conditions. 4 conditions are to be provided for this test:
Unilateral hearing loss (one-side).
Conducive hearing loss (middle ear hearing loss).
Unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (inner ear hearing loss).
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Pneumatic Otoscopy –
The pneumatic otoscope is the standard tool used to diagnose otitis media (middle ear
inflammation).
It is made of a lens, an enclosed light source, and a nipple for attachment of a rubber bulb
and tubing.
During testing, a speculum will be attached to the pneumatic head and can be fitted snugly
into the patient’s external auditory canal.
Gentle squeezing and release of the rubber bulb in rapid action permits the observation of
the ear drum response to both positive and negative pressure.
Tympanometry –
A test used to detect middle ear problems, and strictly not testing for the hearing per se, but
the condition of the middle ear and the mobility of the ear drum.
To administer the test, a tympanometer is placed into the ear. The device alters the air
pressure in the ear and makes the ear drum move back and forth.
The results will be recorded onto a machine into tympanograms.
Sentences with no competing stimuli.
Sentences with competing stimuli before the patient.
Audio stimuli presented 90 degrees to the directional right of the patient.
Audio stimuli presented 90 degrees to the directional left of the patient.
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During the administration of the test, the patient is not to move, speak or swallow. The reason
is because any such motions can alter the ear pressure and incorrectly produce the results.
On top of that, the sounds heard for the test may be very loud to some people. It is important
not to be startled. If a child is undergoing the test, the test may need to be demonstrated so
that the child is less nervous and knows what to expect.
Acoustic Reflectometry –
A test used to measure the build-up of fluids in the ear.
Sounds will be used to test the volume of fluids in the middle. Like the tympanometry test, it
is also strictly not a hearing test examination. The difference is that acoustic reflectometry
measures the amount of fluid present in the middle ear, while tympanometry measures
movement of the ear drum.
In the event of a sound, usually the ear drum will be able to absorb it. However, when there
is pressure from the fluid in the middle ear, the more sound the ear drum will be able to
reflect.
Audiometry –
An audiometry test examines the ability to hear sounds. It is able to measure the hearing for
variation in sound, pitch and tone, which also involves different frequencies.
Before that is done, some pre-tests may be administered first to determine whether there is
such a need for audiometry in the first place. For instance, the ear may be blocked by a
physical object and the ability to hear whispers, spoken words and other sounds tested. A
tuning fork may be used.
For the audiometry test, earphones will be attached to the audiometer. When the patient
hears a sound, he or she may indicate so.
Usually a specific test will be undertaken first to determine the threshold level, which is the
lowest audible level of sound. Then the ear will be subjected to sounds at varying levels of
loudness, frequency etc.
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For the test, the minimum intensity will be plotted onto a graph (audiogram).
Here are the various testing types of audiometry:
Treatment Of Usual Ear Infections
In the treatment of ear infections, they will usually resolve itself without the use of antibiotics
within a week or two.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians agree
on the same course – a wait-and-see approach as the first option.
The usual pain management for ear infection follows:
For more information, consult your family doctor.
The Tinnitus Condition
In the previous introductory section, we gained the knowledge of the basic anatomy of the
ear. We also look at how our faithful ears transmit sound so that we may hear the wonders
of the world, and also the testing and diagnosis of hearing problems.
This section, we will focus on tinnitus, the essential topic of End Tinnitus Today.
Subjective Audiometry – Pure Tone, Speech and Bekesy.
Objective Audiometry – Acoustic Impedance, Evoked Response and Otoacoustic
Emission.
Warm Compress – Placing a warm, moist cloth over the affected ear may alleviate
the pain temporarily.
Pain Medication – Eardrops are commonly prescribed. They may contain antipyrine-
benzocaine-glycerin as a pain relief.
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What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus (pronounced ti-NIGHT-us or TIN-i-tus) is the condition of the perception of ringing in
the ear when there is no presence of external sound. However, do take note that ringing may
just be one of the sounds perceived in tinnitus – It can be a form of high-pitched electric
buzzing, hissing, humming or whining and so on. It is also referred to as “head noise”.
Tinnitus is not a disease, but a condition which
may result from several underlying factors.
Many people diagnosed with tinnitus also have a
particular degree of hearing loss. Because of this,
they are not able to hear clear external sounds
which are within the hearing range of their usual
frequency.
Certainly, some people do not consider it a serious medical condition as compared to the
deadly cardiovascular disease or cancer.
However, its complications and symptoms of this “phantom” noise are very real and disrupt
a happy functional life.
You will feel frustrated and stressed of the ringing in your ears.
Your productivity at work will drop.
You will be unable to focus on the simplest of conversation or task.
In one National Study of Hearing, it was found that in 25% of the participants, the degree of
tinnitus increased over time, while for the rest of the 75%, there was no such increase.
Although the sound is usually described as a ringing, it can also be described in the following
terms:
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Beeping Cicada-like sounds
Buzzing Cricket-like sounds
Chirping Locust-like sounds
Clicking (or Ticking) Electric buzzing
Hissing High-pitched whining
Ringing Human voice sounds
Roaring Tunes or songs
Whistling Other sounds
Whooshing -
Fig 1. The different types of ringing in the ear.
But why does tinnitus happen in the first place? Here are the speculative causes of tinnitus:
Objective Tinnitus –
This type of tinnitus refers to the perception of an actual sound which may arise from muscle
spasms in causing sounds around the middle ear. They refer to sounds which may also be
audible to other people besides the patient, and can be recorded using a sensitive
microphone.
It may also be a sound which beats in tandem with the pulse (pulsatile tinnitus). The doctor
ought to be able to hear it clearly in such diagnosis.
Pulsatile tinnitus is usually objective, and rare. It may arise from an altered blood circulation
or increases blood flow or turbulence at the ear.
Subjective Tinnitus –
This type of tinnitus is commonly known as otologic disorders, which typically causes hearing
loss. They refer to sounds only the patient can hear.
The most common cause is likely to be a noise-induced one, which is itself caused through
exposure to excessive or loud noises, be it in a normal environment or due to a prolonged
exposure.
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Up to 90% of tinnitus patients are afflicted with some form of noise-induced
hearing loss. Subjective tinnitus can occur in all 3 parts of the ear (outer ear, middle
ear, inner ear). Inner ear damage is the most damaging of the lot. Once the hair
cells are damaged, they may send random impulses to your brain, and this is what
causes the symptoms of tinnitus. Since it is impossible to revive the hair cells, the
damage is permanent.
Importantly, there may not be an obvious external cause or even symptoms. At the same
time, ototoxic drugs (antibiotics, loop diuretics etc) may cause subjective tinnitus through a
secondary opening to hearing loss.
Subjective tinnitus can also be due to a side-effect of aspirin and quinidine etc. Indeed, over
260 types of medication have been reported to cause tinnitus, but so far, no underlying cause
has been established.
Here is a longer list of what may cause subjective tinnitus:
Ear problems – Conducive hearing loss (external ear infection, acoustic shock, middle
ear infection, excessive and loud music, acoustic neuroma, ototoxic medication).
Extreme war wax damage can also occur and damage the ear drum permanently.
Hereditary disorders – Due to genetic anomaly or mutation, the bones of the middle
ear may not be formed in the correct way. This may affect the hearing and cause
tinnitus.
Metabolic disorders – Hyperlipidemia, iron-deficiency anemia, thyroid disease and
vitamin B12 deficiency.
Neurological disorders – Head injury or trauma (inclusive of fractures) and multiple
sclerosis etc.
Psychiatric disorders – Anxiety and depression.
Others – Fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, thoracic tympanicum tumor and vasculitis etc.
At the same time, age-related hearing loss may happen as one ages.
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With this kind of hearing loss, it will usually worsen with age.
Medications have also been known to cause or worsen tinnitus:
Diagnosis Of Tinnitus
People who suspect they have tinnitus may be asked to undergo several tests to determine
that:
Audiological Test – You may be asked to sit in a soundproof room. You will also be
asked to wear earphones and specific sounds run through to you. The purpose of the
test is to determine whether you can hear the sounds.
Body Movement – You may be asked to move your legs, clench your jaw, or even roll
your eyes or facial muscles. If you have tinnitus, it may indicate itself in your ears as
you run through these little actions.
Imaging Test – CT or MRI scans may be recommended depending on the suspected
diagnosis.
Antibiotic – Erythromycin, neomycin, polymyxin B and vancomycin.
Antidepressants.
Aspirin – If taken in usually high doses (more than 12 daily).
Cancer Medication – Mechlorethamine and vincristine.
Diuretics – Bumetanide, ethacrynic acid and furosemide.
Quinine Medication – Medication used for malaria.
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The sounds you hear may be able to determine your condition too:
High-Pitched Sound – A high-pitched buzzing or ringing may occur when there is
exposure to a loud external noise, or blow or trauma to the ear.
Humming Sound – These sounds may emerge when your balance changes, for
instance, when you lie down or stand up.
Clicking Sound – Sharp clicking sounds are caused by muscle contractions in and
around your ear.
Due to the fact that tinnitus is usually thought
to only occur to adults, it is generally
overlooked in children who are similarly
afflicted. In their case, their concerns may be
swept aside because of their unreliability of
testimony. Children with hearing loss are prone
to tinnitus. Furthermore, for children who do
suffer from tinnitus, there is a higher risk of
migraine, juvenile Meniere’s disease and other
chronic conditions.
Tinnitus does not just mean the appearance of the ringing sound in the sound. There are
complications which greatly affects the quality of life.
Here are the complications of tinnitus:
Anxiety and irritability – Tinnitus is continuous, so this regular and consistent ringing
inhibits the positive energy of the person, resulting in anxiety and intense negative
emotions. Because of this negative focus of and on tinnitus, the fight or flight response
of the patient is activated. With the activation, stress is placed immediately on the
blood flow, heart beat and so on. This leads back to ear, and creates more anxiety.
Depression – The more severe aspect of anxiety. It escalates to such a stage where
the patient becomes chronically depressed over this condition where it is perceived
that he or she has no control over this debilitating condition. There will be social
withdrawal and a destructive loss of self-esteem.
Fatigue – Tinnitus is linked to fatigue. Because of the fact that the ringing sounds last
over a long period of time, the body is continuously geared towards maintaining all
types of responses to the condition over this period. Inadvertently, fatigue sets in.
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Memory problems – In one research study, results indicated that the reading span of
the tinnitus patients was significantly shorter than that of the control group. In
another aspect of the study, the tinnitus participants recorded slower reaction times
and poorer accuracy in executing the planned tasks.
Sleep problems – Tinnitus patients commonly complain about sleep disturbance
issues. Because of the decreased tolerance associated with tinnitus, insomnia
becomes frequent and wrecks the normal focus and concentration, and the overall
regenerative health of the body.
Stress – Symptoms of stress can vary in different patients. Stress can come from
thoughts, so it is imperative that the patient reduce as much unpleasant or negative
thoughts as possible. It is important to be aware of situations when a person is
distressed by the tinnitus condition. Stress can also come from physical reactions.
These physical reactions are ways which people deal with tinnitus. For instance, some
people may present certain behaviors in public which would lead to increased scrutiny
from others.
In all, the complications are a vicious cycle in itself, and it is clear that something must be
done about it.
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Who Are At Risk?
As mentioned earlier, tinnitus is the Number One service–connected disability aspect for
veterans. Exposure to loud noise during training, simulations and combat cause and aggravate
this condition.
It is imperative to note that since 2005, the number of veterans receiving tinnitus treatment,
or similar, has increased by at least 15% per year.
Without a doubt, tinnitus is a growing problem for our soldiers. Tinnitus is very disruptive and
can threaten the future of the soldiers, including sleep issues, cognitive stress, relationship
stress and so on.
In the meantime, music lovers are in a similar fix as well. All kinds
of music have the ability to become loud, whether it is jazz, pop and
others; it does not necessarily restrict to rock music. Music is much
entrenched in our society. Whether it is for recreation or work, we
often listen to music. In this modern era, we listen to music on the
go too, and that is very evident in the younger generation now.
They are just plugged in every time in their cell phones or players,
listening to music, watching drama series etc.
Besides Lars Ulrich, there are many people in the music industry
who also suffer from tinnitus.
Black Eyed Peas front man will.i.am is also suffering from tinnitus.
“I can’t be still. Work calms me down… I can’t be quiet, as that’s when I notice the ringing in
my ears.”“I don’t know what silence sounds like any more. Music is the only thing which eases
my pain.”
Here is a look at other risk factors:
People who are regularly exposed to loud noises. Prolonged exposure damages the
sensory hair cells of the ear.
Older people. As a person age, the whole body, including the ear hairs, the nerve cells
etc, decline in function.
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Men. Men are actually more prone to contracting tinnitus.
Smokers. Studies have shown that smokers are more susceptible to tinnitus.
If you discover that you are highly at risk, or that you seem to be showing symptoms of
tinnitus, quickly seek help from your family doctor or the professionals. It is best to be
diagnosed and receiving treatment at the onset, rather than wait and allowing the condition
to worsen irreversibly.
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Taking Back Control Of The Volume
We have just taken a look at the debilitating condition of tinnitus. In the upcoming sections,
we will explore the current treatment and medications for this problem. Alternative therapies
are also another avenue in overcoming this problem so we will look at it too.
While trying to resolve tinnitus, we should not also neglect basic ear care or cleaning, so we
customized such a section for you.
Medication And Treatment
In “Medication And Treatment”, we will look at the drugs and medication available and the
various treatment plans prescribed by doctors.
In treating tinnitus, the doctor will first have to identify whether there is any other underlying
factors which may be causing the symptoms.
If it is something which can be easily resolved, the doctor may take the necessary action steps
to resolve it there and then.
These scenarios include the following:
Excessive Ear Wax – This scenario can be resolved on the spot. The doctor may remove
it with a special solution, or baby oil or glycerin oil.
Interference From Existing Medication – In this case, your existing medication for
other medical condition(s) may be causing the symptoms of tinnitus. This scenario
may be easily resolved too. The doctor would have to make an informed decision on
changing your medication, depending on the severity of your existing medical
conditions(s) and your tinnitus.
Existing Problems (Brain, Blood Vessels, Ear and Heart) – Specialized tests would be
run to eliminate these problems as the underlying causes.
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After determining and eliminating possible underlying causes which may give false positive
symptoms of tinnitus, we take a look at the medications available out there in treating
diagnosed tinnitus. (Do note that effectiveness of drugs vary from patient to patient; what
may work for someone else may not be effective in your situation.)
Acamprosate –
This drug has been tested successfully in Brazil, with significant results. According to the study,
an impressive success rate of 87% was observed after following a 90-day treatment of
Acamprosate.
It is currently being tested in trials in the USA.
It is previously used to treat alcohol dependence. The drug is thought to stabilize the chemical
balance in the balance, which would be otherwise disrupted by alcohol withdrawal. In the
treatment of alcohol, several side-effects were observed – ranging from headaches, insomnia,
impotence to allergic reactions, diarrhea, and high/low blood pressure.
Alprazolam (Niravam, Xanax) –
This drug may reduce the tinnitus condition and relieve the
associated symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, but the
consumption may become addictive. On top of that, side-
effects include drowsiness and nausea.
In one research study, 40 participants who suffered from at
least a year of tinnitus were given either alprazolam or a placebo (lactose).
Upon completing of the study period, their tinnitus condition was evaluated using a tinnitus
synthesizer and a visual analog scale.
Of the 17 patients who were on alprazolam, 13 of them indicated a reduction in the loudness
of their tinnitus.
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Lidocaine –
Effects of lidocaine on tinnitus have been reported in literature before. However its effects
are quite temporary.
For instance, in one study of 30 tinnitus patients (28 with normal hearing and 2 with mild
sensorineural hearing loss), intravenous lidocaine was administered measured against their
body weight. Measurements were taken almost immediately, and at varying times up to a
month. Results indicated that subjective relief was present in some patients almost
immediately. However, the strongest effect on tinnitus only lasted for 4 weeks at the longest.
Misoprostol –
Small studies indicated that this prostaglandin analogue may be
effective for some tinnitus patients.In one study, 28 participants
with a minimum period of tinnitus diagnosis of 6 months were
placed on placebo and misoprostol treatment. At the end of the
study, 18 of the group showed significant improvement in
tinnitus loudness.In another small study, 42 patients, who were
suffering from both tinnitus and diabetes, were placed in a
controlled trial. Their misoprostol therapy was also given at an
increasing dose, starting with 200 micrograms and capped at
800 micrograms daily. At the completion of the study, 13
individuals out of the 42 showed an improvement in their
tinnitus condition.
Tricyclic Antidepressant (Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline) –
These drugs have been used with some measure of success. However experts advised that
they are only to be utilized for more severe cases of tinnitus due to the fact that they can
bring about side-effects such as blurred vision, constipation, dry mouth and heart problems.
Besides drugs, there are many conventional methods available to treat tinnitus, and they are
listed here:
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Cochlear Implant –
The ambient sounds which the implants provide may be able to mask the tinnitus sounds.
A cochlear implant is made of 2 components:
The electrode array which is threaded into the
cochlear effectively destroys whatever healthy
hair cells are still present. This is more applicable
to a patient who is already profoundly deaf or
experiencing a severe hard-of-hearing condition.
In one study, half of the participants who had
tinnitus BEFORE being fitted with cochlear
implants experienced relief from tinnitus after the
implantation.
The reason why the cochlear implant is thought to help alleviate the tinnitus condition could
probably be due to suppression activity of the tinnitus from the electrical stimulation from
the implant. Another reason could be that the ambient sounds from the implant were
sufficient to mask the tinnitus.
Hearing Aid –
Treatment may also come in the form of the hearing aid. This will be especially beneficial if
hearing loss is also diagnosed together with tinnitus. The hearing aid is able to enhance the
overall level of the ambient sound awareness to the patient.
The hearing aid is different from the cochlear implant because the hearing aid only amplifies
sounds, in which case is then useful for the patient who is suffering from both hearing loss
and tinnitus. The effectiveness of the hearing aid however is greatly dependant on the
premise that the frequency of both the hearing loss and the tinnitus conditions should lie in
the same range.
An electrode array threaded into the cochlear.
A receiver which is implanted just underneath the skin, behind the ear.
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Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) –
In one theory about tinnitus, known as the neurophysiological model, it is proposed that the
limbic system is prioritizing tinnitus sounds over other sounds.
According to the model, this refers to the sounds as having a great significance to the patient.
Therefore, TRT works by capitulating on the patient’s natural ability to get used to sounds.
Sound is used to create a background to make the tinnitus less noticeable. The patient gets
used to the sound (and tinnitus) so that it becomes part of his or her subconscious, and no
longer a conscious perception of frustration.
For this treatment, a wearable device will deliver an individually-programmed tonal music
catered specifically to mask the patient’s particular frequency of tinnitus. Do note that this
treatment may require an intensive commitment of 18 months to 2 years. There is also likely
to be some financial investment as well.
Over time, the patient would be accustomed to the tinnitus, and not be distracted or
frustrated by it as much.
Alternative Therapies
We just looked at the conventional medication and treatment for tinnitus. There are also
natural remedies which people go for. Here are but a few of them for you to research and
find out more:
B12 (Vitamin) –
B12 deficiency has been reported as the common factor among people exposed to loud
noises.
For this, intramuscular B12 injections have been found to reduce the severity of tinnitus.
Do note that no formal research has been done on this even though there are online
anecdotes.
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CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10) –
According to a 2007 Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery journal study, clinical studies
on the effects of CoQ10 revealed that it may be useful for some tinnitus patients in relieving
their condition.
Zinc –
It has been often found that tinnitus patients suffer from some sort of zinc deficiency in their
system. Consequently, some patients are able to experience a relief in their condition by
taking zinc supplements daily.
If zinc intake is low, experts recommend a dose of 90 – 150 milligrams daily for 3 – 6 months.
Acupuncture –
Acupuncture originates from East Asian countries and is implemented through needles
applied on the skin. This therapy is thought to alleviate the discomfort from tinnitus. However,
it all depends on the individual. Controlled studies have determined that acupuncture was
able to relieve symptoms, while some indicated that they enjoyed no such benefit.
The foundation of this TCM practice is based on the belief that there is excess qi (natural life
force) around the ear, hence causing the obstruction (tinnitus). Acupuncture would then
remove this obstruction through several sessions.
Herbal Preparation (Gingko biloba) –
A traditional Chinese medicinal treatment, gingko biloba is generally thought to improve
blood flow. With that, it is thus able to reduce high blood pressure. It also additionally reduces
inflammation in blood vessels and promotes better circulation to the capillaries of the nerves
around the (inner) ear.
Experts advised that it may be better to use the Gingko leaf extract supplement instead of
Gingko seeds as the latter may contain toxic compounds. On top of that, it would be best to
use it in combination with other remedies.
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Cranio-Sacral Therapy –
This is a hands-on therapy which focuses on improving the flow of cerebral spinal fluid around
the brain and the spinal column.
With this enhanced flow, it is thought that tinnitus symptoms are greatly reduced.
Eustachian Tube Drainage –
This requires the service of a naturopath. This strategy is a naturopathic method to relieve
the congestion in the tube behind the ear drum by draining away the (excess) fluid.
Hyperbaric Oxygen –
This therapy works by improving the oxygen supply to the inner ear.
The patient is required to sit within a pressured chamber with 100% oxygen so that there is
overall increased supply of oxygen to various body tissues.
Amplification (Hearing Aids) –
Putting on a hearing aid may actually relieve tinnitus for some
people. If a patient’s diagnosed hearing loss is within the hearing
frequency of the tinnitus, the aid would be able to emphasize the
ambient sounds which will naturally mask the tinnitus sounds.
Biofeedback –
This is a relaxation technique which allows practitioners to control their body functions (such
as muscle movement or skin temperature).
During such a session, a machine will be hooked up to the patient through the administering
of the accredited therapist. Feedback from the machine reveals the condition of the patient’s
physiological reactions (pulse, temperature etc).
Once identified, the therapist will provide training for the patient to recognize them, and to
control such responses with his or her behavior, emotions and thought patterns.
By using biofeedback, the individual train his or her body NOT to respond in the event of the
stress which emerges from tinnitus.
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Cognitive Therapy –
This is a type of counseling which focuses and treats the patient’s reaction to tinnitus, rather
than resolve the actual tinnitus condition itself. Reactions include anxiety and difficulties with
focus.
In essence, the counseling or training helps patients to re-structure their reactions to tinnitus
itself, so that they can cope with it and continue living normal lives.
Cognitive therapy may be used together with sound therapy or medication treatment.
Electrical Stimulation (Via Implant) –
An electrical stimulation sent through the auditory nerve by an implant may suppress the
tinnitus sounds.
Sound Therapy –
Sound is often used to mask partially or completely over the tinnitus
sounds. In these cases, the sound therapy acts to help patients
forget about their symptoms so that they may carry on their lives
with minimal distractions. Sound therapy is usually effective in
combination with counseling. The devices used can be either the
wearable or non-wearable type. Generally, they emit low levels of
“white noise” to mask the tinnitus sounds.
They are also known as white noise machines, and emit simulated environmental sounds such
as soothing ocean wave crashes or light falling rain patters.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) Treatment –
Treatment for this jaw disorder may alleviate symptoms of tinnitus, which may also include
otalgia and vertigo.
The reason is likely due to the close link between the muscles and nerves of the jaw and the
ear itself. Through dental treatment or bite re-alignment to correct the TMJ problem, tinnitus
and TMJ-associated pain may be relieved.
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Lifestyle Advice
In addition, patients are advised to AVOID
stimulants such as alcohol and nicotine, the
reason being that the stimulants are apt to
increase blood flow, and increased blood
flow is usually associated with tinnitus. In
such events, alcohol and nicotine worsens
the tinnitus condition by dilating the blood
vessels. Due to the increased blood flow, the
“whooshing” sounds of the fast-flowing
blood circulation may be “heard” by the inner
ear, thus contributing to tinnitus.
Caffeine is usually considered in the group too, but recent research suggests that it may not
be the case, that caffeine may actually be beneficial in alleviating tinnitus symptoms; you can
refer to “LATEST FINDINGS” for more details.
To wrap up this section on treatment, we share here a case study from the U.K. of a patient
who underwent therapy for her tinnitus condition.
Case Study – Janice Dyson, 63, Derbyshire (U.K.), married with 2 children
Janice Dyson loved listening to music on her headphones. But one day, she started hearing a
constant whooshing noise on her iPod which interfered with her enjoyment of music.
The strange phenomenon appeared from her left ear, and it didn’t go away even when she
turned the volume up.
Soon it started disrupting her sleep. Subsequently, this whooshing similarly affected her focus
and mood.
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The problem actually started last year in 2013. Janice Dyson had a totally-unrelated spinal
problem (Tarlov cyst). For that, she was prescribed anti-seizure drugs gabapentin and
pregabalin. And that was when the trouble with her hearing emerged, even as her back
problems gradually subsided.
Subsequently, she was diagnosed with tinnitus.
Doctors suspected that her medication may have been the cause of her condition, but they
cannot be sure.
“I couldn’t get to sleep for ages and when I eventually
did I would be woken several times in the night by this
constant noise.”During the day she felt exhausted and
wasn’t fully able to focus. However, few months later
Janice Dyson was nearly back to her usual self, all
thanks to a highly specialized treatment for tinnitus.
She started sleeping once again, and was socializing
with her friends, with an estimated 80% hearing loss
“regained”.
Janice Dyson was initially fitted with a hearing aid, and a device which generated “white
noise” to mask away the whooshing sound. To her disappointment, the measures didn’t work,
so she sought advice from the Tinnitus Clinic in Birmingham.
The doctors there suggested desensitization therapy.
Through this therapy, patients are taught specialized sound enrichment techniques so that
they can live better with tinnitus. However she had to fork out £2,000 for the treatment. Still,
it was something Janice Dyson did not regret, because it gave back her life to her.
Basic Ear Care
Most people know of the ear as a hearing organ.
But it is also a vital organ for our sense and balance. Without the ear, our hearing sense, and
balance and mobility, will be much affected.
Just because we are unable to see the inside of our ears, we may think lightly of it, and forget
that the ears can be very vulnerable to injury.
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At the same time, we now live in an age where noise is more common now, compared to our
ancestors… when there were no industrial noises, only environmental noises.
Therefore, it is vital to care well for your ears. To that end, here is a basic ear care section.
Personal Hygiene:
Basic Ear Cleaning Strategies:
Ear wax – The ear wax is there for a functional reason: To trap bacteria, dust or other
particles from entering your ear and causing further damage. Usually, jaw movements
during talk or food consumption will push the wax out to the outer ear where it can
be easily removed with a damp piece of cloth or cotton.
Cotton tips – They are essential used to clean the outer ear. However, many people
just push the tips in. This will only impact the ear wax and harden it as you push it in
deeper into the ear canal.
Ear cleaning – your doctor may prescribe you a wax-softening medication, or you may
purchase a carbamide peroxide cleaning solution at your local pharmacy. Simply use
DO NOT put dirty fingers into the ears.
DO NOT swim or wash yourself in dirty water.
DO NOT put the following into your ears – Cold or hot oil, and liquids such as kerosene.
DO NOT use Q-tips, bobby pins or sharp objects to clean your ears.
If you have pierced ears, clean your earrings, studs, and your earlobes regularly with
rubbing alcohol.
Always clean your ear with extra care. A washcloth or tissue may be used to wipe the
outer ear.
If you have a build-up of wax which is affecting your hearing, consult your family doctor
to remove it.
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a dropper and apply it into your ear, according to the recommended dosage. Tilting
your head to the side will allow the cleaning process to be more effective. Have a cloth
at hand to wipe away any solution which dribbles out. Give the solution some time to
break up the ear wax (around 10 minutes). Drain out the fluid by holding a cotton tip
at the outside of your tilted ear. Squirt lukewarm water gently into the ear to flush out
any other loosened ear wax. Gently dry your outer ear with a towel.
One of the most common forms of holistic ear care is ear candling.
In this therapy, a hollow candle will be lighted at one end and the unlit end placed in the ear
canal which is to be treated. The patient is to lie on his or her side, so
that the treated ear faces up. Each session may last up to an hour.
This therapy is explained to work in this manner – The flame creates
negative pressure, which draws out the wax and debris. However this
holistic therapy has been criticized, with experts claiming that there
is no substantial data that it is effective for anything. There have been
risks of ear injuries.
Noise Management:
Work – In work situations which expose the ear to loud noises, put on hearing
protections or protective headgear. Situations include usage of power tools etc. For
the home, lawn mowing or leaf blowing may be considered as loud noises too, and
the ears should be protected as well. Cover your ears when you are walking past a
jackhammer in action.
Home Stereo – When using home stereos or sound systems, keep the volume low if
possible. If you think that the sound is too loud, it probably is.
Personal Sound – When using personal sound system from music applications, volume
should also be managed at a low volume. If a person next to you can hear it, it is
probably too loud for your own good.
Concert, Nightclub, Motor Events – When attending music concerts (rock music etc)
or nightclubs or motor events, consider wearing earplugs.
Scuba Or Diving-Related Events – Practice and implement proper underwater
techniques so as to minimize the damage in your ears due to the changing pressure.
Ski, Bike – Put on a helmet when you are skiing, on the bike, or even roller-blading. A
helmet will protect you against potential head, and ear, injuries.
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Aerobic Exercise – During such exercise (gym, treadmill, cross-training routine etc),
the blood is diverted from the ears to our limbs and also the heart. Because of the
altered blood flow, the ear hairs are rendered more susceptible to damage. This is the
reason why many experts actually recommend that you DO NOT listen to music while
you are jogging etc.
Swimming – Refrain from swimming in dirty water where there will be more bacteria
and increasing risks of infection (swimmer’s ear). Shake any water out after a swim or
shower. You may consider a swimming cap to protect your ear.
Airplane – Swallow or yawn frequently because the different air pressures also may
affect your ears. The action of swallowing or yawning equalizes the pressure in the
ears. In addition, if you are suffering from common cold or any upper respiratory
conditions, it may be helpful to have a decongestant spray for use.
At the end of the day, have your hearing regularly checked, especially if you are at risk due to
certain occupations which require the environment of loud noises.
Here are some warning signs of hearing loss you can take note of:
Difficulty in hearing what other people are saying, especially in the event of external
noise, either in person or on the phone.
Difficulty in hearing external environment noises, like chirping or birds or running
water.
Having to regularly ask others to repeat themselves.
Misunderstanding what others have said, and responding in an inappropriate manner.
Adjusting the volume of the TV or radio set to be louder than what others in the same
environment prefer.
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Here are some examples of the decibel levels of the sounds we can hear around us:
Fig 2. Decibel levels of common environmental sounds.
Experts recommend that ear plugs ought to be worn when exposed to sounds of decibel level
85 and above.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, people who work in
loud environments should NOT be exposed to sounds of decibel 85 and above for over an 8-
hour period.
Sound Decibel Level
Rustle of leaves 10
Whisper 30
Suburban street (without traffic) 40
Urban home 50
Normal conversation 60
Noisy restaurant 70
Vacuum cleaner 75
Truck (at 16 feet distance) 90
Rock concert 100 - 120
Jackhammer 120
Jet engine (at 100 feet distance) 130
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Latest Findings
In this section, we take a look at recent clinical studies of tinnitus and share with you the latest
findings or promising results.
Study 1
Coffee – some people love it, while some hate it.
According to Statistics Brain, about 54% Americans over
the age of 18 consume this beverage on a daily basis.
Furthermore, 35% of them just like it black. It turns out
that coffee is rather beneficial for tinnitus. A study led
by Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Ontario,
Canada, showed that higher caffeine intake from coffee
was associated with a decreased risk of tinnitus.
Dr. Jordan Glicksman led the study and had this to say: “Caffeine has long been thought to be
a risk factor, or an exacerbating factor, for tinnitus, but I could not find any good evidence to
support this idea.”
With the data from the U.S.-based Nurses’ Health Studies II, Dr. Jordan Glicksman compiled
from results from more than 65,000 women, aged between 30 to 44 years of age, who also
took part in regular questionnaires about their medical condition(s) and lifestyle every few
years.
He found that on the average, caffeine intake among the participants was found to be an
average of 242.3 mg, or 2 – 3 cups of cups every day.
After 18 years of follow-up, 5,289 tinnitus cases were discovered.
However the study, though large-scale, was confined to Caucasian women. A better study
parameter was required for more believable results. Nonetheless, Dr. Jordan Glicksman
stressed that increasing caffeine intake is not a sure and sound measure against tinnitus.
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Study 2
A November 2013 study was published in Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural
Interface by researchers from University of Texas, Dallas, regarding an initial success for
tinnitus treatment using paired vagus nerve stimulation.
Drs. Sven Vanneste and Michael Kilgard of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences tested
a new method in pairing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) with auditory tones to alleviate the
symptoms of tinnitus (also known as VNS-tone).
VNS is a type of treatment which involves sending a mild electrical pulse through the vagus
nerve. The vagus nerve is one of 12 cranial nerves. It extends from the brain stem to the
abdomen, through various organs such as the heart and lungs. VNS is an FDA-approved
approach for treating various types of medical conditions such as depression and epilepsy.
For this particular method, the researchers wanted
to evaluate the safety of the VNS-tone strategy in
tinnitus patients. It was expected to be safe,
because the stimulation was estimated to be less
than 1% of the FDA-approved stimulation.Their
study took place in Belgium, with 10 tinnitus
participants. The patients were planted with a
stimulation electrode on their vagus nerve.
Prior to the study, the patients were diagnosed and living with tinnitus for at least a year, and
their condition not alleviated by previous treatments including audiological, drug or
neuromodulation strategies.
Over the course of 20 days, the patients received 2.5 hours of daily treatment.
Following the treatment, the health of the patients was tracked. At least half of the
participants demonstrated as much as a 44% decrease of the tinnitus impact in their lives.
5 patients, who were on medication, did not observe any significant changes.
4 participants were found to have their tinnitus symptoms clinically reduced by at least 26
decibels. These 4 participants incidentally were not on any medication for tinnitus.
This led the researchers to suspect that drugs and treatment may interfere with the VNS-tone
therapy.
Still, the outcome was encouraging, and a larger study will be carried out in the States.
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Study 3
Meanwhile in July 2014, Loyola University Medical Center released some findings regarding
retired NFL players.
According to the Center’s ear surgeon John Leonetti, many NFL
players usually suffered some sort of concussion during their active
careers. With blunt head trauma especially, hearing loss and
tinnitus is usually associated.Here is what may happen in the case
of a hit to the head: There is jolting movement to the brain, which
may result in damaging the nerves which connect the brain to the
inner ear.
A head trauma action may cause a shock wave to damage the cochlea.
John Leonetti had the opportunity to speak to retired players at an occasion. According to
him, all the players raised their hands when he asked how many of them suffered concussions.
When he asked about hearing loss, about 25% raised their hands.
When he asked who had tinnitus, 50% raised their hands.
In an interview with USA Today, Hall of Fame NFL lineman Joe DeLamielleure revealed that
his 13-year NFL career finally left him a 68% hearing loss in his left ear.
In a class action suit, retired NHL player Curt Bennett alleged that he suffered from tinnitus
and sub-concussive impact from injuries incurred during his career.
Based on the anecdotal evidence, John Leonetti suggests conducting a rigorous study to
quantify the risk of tinnitus and hearing loss among the retired players.
If you play contact sports regularly (football, basketball etc), it may be prudent to be aware
of this potential issue.
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Study 4
In the meantime, in October 2014, a new clinical guideline was released by the American
Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, and published in
Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery journal.
This multi-disciplinary, evidence-based clinical practice guideline is for otolaryngologists,
geriatricians, primary care physicians, nurses, behavioral neuroscientists, neurologists,
psychiatrists, radiologists and so on. The guideline aims to provide a framework of care and
support, and to improve diagnosis and management of tinnitus.
Study 5
Lastly, the American Tinnitus Association (ATA) recently launched a global request for
impactful and cutting-edge tinnitus proposals for the new grant cycle (2014 – 2015).
According to Cara James, Executive Director of ATA – “ATA will continue funding the best
research and researchers until a definitive cure to tinnitus found. If you have a research
project that can bring us closer to this goal, we encourage you to apply for an ATA grant.”
To kickstart innovative and high-quality research for the ultimate cure, they will be providing
$50,000 per project.
Hopefully, we will soon hear exciting new discoveries from them to (finally) cure tinnitus, and
return the amazing sense of hearing back to those who are suffering silently from it.
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Resources
Before we conclude End Tinnitus Today, here are some resources for you to obtain more
information from:
American Academy of Audiology (U.S.)
http://www.audiology.org
American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (U.S.)
http://www.entnet.org
American Cochlear Implant Alliance (U.S.)
http://www.acialliance.org
American Society for Deaf Children (U.S.)
http://www.deafchildren.org
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (U.S.)
http://www.asha.org
American Tinnitus Association (U.S.)
http://www.ata.org/
Association of Adult Musicians with Hearing Loss (U.S.)
http://www.aamhl.org/
Association of Late-Deafened Adults, Inc. (U.S.)
http://www.alda.org
Association of Medical Professionals With Hearing Losses (U.S.)
http://amphl.org
Better Hearing Institute (U.S.)
http://www.betterhearing.org
Center for Hearing and Communication (U.S.)
http://www.chchearing.org/
Coalition for Global Hearing Health (U.S.)
http://coalitionforglobalhearinghealth.org/
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Hearing Health Foundation (U.S.)
http://hearinghealthfoundation.org/
Hearing Loss Association of America (U.S.)
http://hearingloss.org
National Association of the Deaf (U.S.)
http://www.nad.org
National Black Deaf Advocates (U.S.)
http://www.nbda.org
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (U.S.)
www.nigcd.nih.gov
Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. (U.S.)
http://www.tdi-online.org
Action On Hearing Loss (U.K.)
http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/
Canadian Hearing Society (Canada)
http://www.chs.ca
International Federation of Hard of Hearing People (Sweden)
http://www.ifhoh.org
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Conclusion
To wrap up End Tinnitus Today, let’s take a look at more statistics provided by Hearing Health
Foundation:
Men are more likely than women to suffer from hearing loss.
3 out of 1,000 children here in the States will be born deaf or with a hearing issue.
Between the ages of 20 – 69, about 26 million Americans will suffer from hearing loss
due to exposure to loud noises, whether due to leisure activities or work.
The risk of hearing loss increases with age. Between ages 45 – 54, it occurs in 18% of
this age range. Between ages 65 – 74, the rate is about 30%. For people age 75 and
older, hearing loss constitutes about 47% of the group.
People with a mild case of hearing loss are TWICE as likely to develop dementia; this
risk increases with the severity of the hearing loss.
As you can see, it is not just war veterans or musicians who are more prone to tinnitus.
Tinnitus is also part of growing old and the indirect result of our modern lifestyle.
We hope that you found End Tinnitus Today to be a comprehensive study of tinnitus. Do take
good care of your hearing, and everything will just sound awesome and beautiful.