A Proven List of Treatments for Tinnitus?

[Nicholas Watkins]

The Wikipedia page for tinnitus basically there are no medications or supplements available that provide relief.

I don't want to believe that ...

I see a lot of treatment suggestions on this forum but I am wondering is it all just anecdotal (meaning: I tried X and Y supplement and it worked for me !) or is there some evidence or study to back-up these treatment options?

I am quite desperate at the moment and am new to these forums. Thank you so much.

 

[Dana]

When the cause of T is known with certainty, then, if it is possible to treat, the treatment of the cause will always provide relief. The list of T causes is very long.

In the cases where a certain drug provided relief, that fact can stand en lieu of a study, IMO. If an anxiety drug provided relief, than the anxiety was the problem,
If a drug to lower blood pressure provided relief, than high blood pressure was the problem, etc.

Because of the large nr of T etiologies there are no listed treatments. One treatment can work in one case, and not work in another case/ etiology.

Do not despair.. You may find a treatment that works for you, and if you don't, in most of the cases T moves to the back of your mind and will bother you less and less and therefore you will be able to live (almost) like you did before getting T. Positive thinking is essential in winning this challenge! If you leave yourself to be the pray of despair, like many of us did in the beginning, including me, you will get to a very low point where you yourself will discover that negative thinking got you there, and you will realise that only positive thinking can get you back up. Be positive, no matter how bad you T is. It's a tough test, but you can only win being positive no matter what, and you will reap the results of the positive thinking, be sure of that.

 

[LadyDi]

Hi @Nicholas Watkins: While there is no cure for tinnitus, there is relief for many patients. There just is no one size fits all treatment. Search the TT forum, find which ones interest you.,Weigh costs, potential side effects, etc. Pick the ones that you think balance what you have to spend, safety, anecdotal track record and try them out. I suggest trying them (acupuncture, benzos, hypnotherapy, TRT, whatever you want) one at a time. Otherwise,, you won't know what works and what doesn't.

At this point, there is a little research on tinnitus, so pretty much all treatments are anecdotal.,But some help SOME people. Put together a plan of what is worth a try and move forward.

 

[Nicholas Watkins]

Thanks a lot for the replies, guys.

My tinnitus was caused by taking too many stimulants called Modafinil... I believe this affected by brain. I've read Glutamine+GABA levels would have been affected. My blood pressure was affected too, I'll get that looked into (thanks Dana).

How can I confirm the cause? See a neurologist? Could be cochlear be damaged? Who would diagnose that?

Thanks again,
Nick.

 

[John G]

How can I confirm the cause? See a neurologist? Could be cochlear be damaged? Who would diagnose?

Good question Nicholas. I would also like to know the answer to your question, and I am sure someone here will give us that answer.

 

[Dana]

The T sound comes:
-from the eardrum (if pushed in by impacted ear wax or other problems) or from the middle ear, or from the inner ear, or from the acoustic nerve, or Eustachian tubes, or soft palate, parts that are within the scope of an ENT, so you have to be seen by an ENT doctor to check those parts
-from the part of the brain that is part of the auditory system, for which you must be seen by a neurologist, if the problem is organic, or by a psychiatrist, if the problem (hyperactivity in the auditory system) stems from a mental problem (anxiety, traumatic event, etc)
- from tensed muscles, for which you must go to the same neurologist
-from blood circulation problems, that can be far from the ears, even in the heart, for which you must be seen by a cardiologist

So:
-ENT doctor
-neurologist
-psychiatrist
-cardiologist

If the list is not complete, somebody can complete it (to be seen by an endocrinologist doesn't hurt either)

There are many specialists, but T is an interdisciplinary condition.
I know, tough.

The first one to go to is the ENT.

The number of specialists is big, and also the number of tests.
Because sometimes a useful test can be a CT, or MRI, or angio-MRI or angiography, another specialist may come into play: a radiologist. Those tests done by a radiologist will be recommended by an ENT or a neurologist or cardiologist.
For the treatment (if tensed muscles are the problem) you may have to see a physiotherapist

 

[Nicholas Watkins]

Great post, Dana.

 

[Dana]

I forgot, of course, some possible causes of T, as they are so many:
-TMJD, for which you have to be seen by a maxillofacial surgeon
-Meniere's disease, taken care of an ENT

 

[JohnK]

Here is the list of PROVEN treatments:







That's the list.

Still, lots of stuff is promising at this point, and since every case of T seems to be different, some have been successfully treated by various treatments that have had no effect on others

 

[RaZaH]

hehe, yeah, exactly what I thought ...a list ?

 

[Penate]

Hi everybody I got five month already with this monster in my head I can't taking a little longer I'm going try everything in the world no relief my depression ease into the roof and I feel sorry for my family specially my kids I got no choice I have to go to psychiatrist hospital .

 

[glynis]

Hi @Penate,

Stay strong.
Depression and the unwanted emotions and anxiety can be a battle but a battle you can win.
Depression can strip your confidence and find the easiest thoughts and tasks hard to do and loose grip on reality .
You will get treatment and over time come through it stronger .
Keep posting for support because we are all here for you round the clock.
Time is a great healer so dont think any less of yourself as we all understand on here.
Sending lots of love and hugs...glynis x

 

[Sailboardman]

Here's my proven short list # 1:

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Shiraz
Petit Chateau
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay

Proven short list # 2

Single malt Scotch
Small batch, Kentucky Bourbon
Russian Vodka
English Gin
Jamaican Rum

Good friends and cute girls, should always be included.

 

[marqualler]

It's only because it takes my mind off it but exercise is a huge boon to me against tinnitus. It was very helpful in being a brief respite when I first had it and now it's a necessary to keep feeling good. I find too that on days that I've strained my neck a lot on my computer or with bad posture my tinnitus is a little worse at night.

If you are bothered by tinnitus at work, I recommend getting a small bluetooth speaker that you can stream soft music from that you enjoy. That was a huge turning point when I started doing that at work. I bought one called the MagicBox but I'm sure there are a lot of other great options out there.

Finally I would not recommend spending a ton of money on anything you see as a potential treatment. This page here has a ton of good resources, with the most immediate help being things like the 14 free masking tracks (@Markku or @Steve can hook you up with downloadable versions as well). I spent $417 at a tinnitus clinic that offered TRT at the beginning of the year and I reflect on that expense as being a wasteful one (though I don't doubt it is helpful for others who don't have the ability or inclination to learn a lot of the material they cover).

Best of luck to you and stay strong! Enjoy the holiday season!

 

[Penate]

Glynis thank you very much for your support but I can't take it anymore I think it's better go to the hospital to get a little help if I treat my depression maybe my tinnitus get better is to big in the head in the both ears I was crying last night like a baby my son bring me to me the Christmas list he's a 8years old every Christmas for what's the best time in my life for my kids and my family but now it's only a darkness in my heart I never feel the way my life and the most sad part there's nothing else there to relieve Thank you very much anyway and I post lady how goes in the hospital.

 

[glynis]

Wishing you all the luck in the world for a better 2016 for you.
You will get all the help you need and soon have you on the road to recovery with medication.
Keep us posted and welcome private message me.
Your family will soon have you better as medication starts to work and support in place for you too...lots of love glynis