Denied Participation in Hyperbaric-Based Study Because of Tinnitus

[Mike82]

Hi all. Just thought I'd share an interesting experience I recently had here in Australia.

So a couple of months back I applied for a university study on Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. The study called for applicants with a history of hayfever and "difficulty popping ears" and the treatment was to take place in a hyperbaric chamber.

I applied, in part, because I wondered whether receiving treatment in a hyperbaric chamber would make any noticeable difference to my tinnitus.

But when I actually told them about the ringing in my ears, I was disqualified from the trial because "it's unsure how the hyperbaric chamber will affect my tinnitus".

I don't necessarily mind being disqualified for the trial - who is to say it might not have had a negative effect on my tinnitus - but I thought treating it in a hyperbaric chamber was a common thing to do in Europe?

Have I got that all wrong, or is this another example of the medical community having next-to-no-idea how to treat tinnitus?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

 

[awbw8]

Hi all. Just thought I'd share an interesting experience I recently had here in Australia.

So a couple of months back I applied for a university study on Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. The study called for applicants with a history of hayfever and "difficulty popping ears" and the treatment was to take place in a hyperbaric chamber.

I applied, in part, because I wondered whether receiving treatment in a hyperbaric chamber would make any noticeable difference to my tinnitus.

But when I actually told them about the ringing in my ears, I was disqualified from the trial because "it's unsure how the hyperbaric chamber will affect my tinnitus".

I don't necessarily mind being disqualified for the trial - who is to say it might not have had a negative effect on my tinnitus - but I thought treating it in a hyperbaric chamber was a common thing to do in Europe?

Have I got that all wrong, or is this another example of the medical community having next-to-no-idea how to treat tinnitus?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Of course, I really have no idea, but from what you said I might allow for the possibility that those conducting the study simply didn't want that extra variable of tinnitus as part of the experiment. Again, just a thought, they might also have just told you that if it were the case. If you go to a HBOT center just for a treatment you're paying for I find it hard to imagine that you'd be refused from what I've heard about the experience in many European countries. Even in the states no one refused me access to HBOT, it was more a matter of insurance companies not covering it and it being prohibitively expensive.

 

[Nucleo]

Very strange as ETD is thought to be a potential cause of tinnitus as well.

So you have a symptom that is potentially linked the the condition we're trying to treat? Sorry no can do. Better luck next time.

Who are these idiots running these trials really.

 

[Cheza]

I might allow for the possibility that those conducting the study simply didn't want that extra variable of tinnitus as part of the experiment.

I bet that's it, exactly. I would ask them if they would consider conducting a trial for ETD with tinnitus.

 

[Mike82]

I bet that's it, exactly. I would ask them if they would consider conducting a trial for ETD with tinnitus.

Indeed, that may well be what it is. It just seemed to me to be strange logic for denying someone a place in the trial. The clinical researcher said they were having trouble finding candidates, because the other condition that was ruling people out was chronic sinusitis and most of the applicants had either that or tinnitus. (I suffer both... awesome!)

 

[PaulBe]

Mike, its Australia. You still have to explain the concept of ears to half our Doctors, let alone Tinnitus.

 

[Mike82]

Sad but true, Paul!