Dr. Charlie — ENT Specialist With Tinnitus

[Tony Phylactou]

Hello to each of you. I am a retired ENT physician and surgeon who also suffered from tinnitus for years. My tinnitus began in 1997, before I retired from my practice. Later on, I also developed hyperacusis. Whenever I focus on it, I still hear the noise of tinnitus, but I no longer suffer from it. My hyperacusis remains problematic, but I have learned how to deal with noisy situations to avoid most of the pain.

I am available to share what I have learned during my own ordeal. There is a very close association between 1) fear/anxiety and 2) suffering from the noise of tinnitus and/or hyperacusis.

The human brain and autonomic nervous system go on high alert when a serious threat is recognized or suspected. This is the "fight or flight response." When your body is in this state of hyper-arousal, it becomes impossible for your brain to ignore the threat. Your brain typically considers the noise of tinnitus a threat, especially when the tinnitus first presents itself, or when the volume increases for whatever reason. "OMG, what is this noise?" "Am I going deaf?" "Do I have a brain tumor?" Sadly, many audiologists and/or physicians are not familiar with the causes of tinnitus, and are of little help to you. Some may prescribe useless or even dangerous tranquilizers, etc in an effort to help you find relief. (Certain tranquilizers may occasionally help a suffering patient through a difficult time, so they are not always bad - just overused, in my opinion. Use with caution, and only when closely monitored by your physician.)

Once you learn how to eliminate the fear associated with your tinnitus, your brain will automatically begin to ignore the noise. One or two very reliable methods exist to accomplish this end.

I look forward to sharing the methods I have found effective for my personal suffering, and for many of my clients over a period of more than 10 years.

No matter how severe your noise, you can be helped. Feel free to reach out to me. Within the guidelines set forth in this forum, I will answer whatever I can - at no cost - to help you relieve your personal suffering.

Dr Charlie
Charles Smithdeal MD, FACS (ret)

Can you fly with hyperacusis and if yes what precautions do you take

 

[GregCA]

Can you fly with hyperacusis and if yes what precautions do you take

I'd be surprised if you get an answer from Dr Charlie:
"Dr. Charlie was last seen: Oct 3, 2015"

 

[Tony Phylactou]

Can you fly with hyperacusis if yes what precautions do you take?

 

[jeff W]

Dr Charlie,
Thank you for being an ENT and joining the forum. I have had Meniere's since age 17. It begin with Tinnitus and took my hearing away in the left ear within 3 yrs. I have suffered horrid vertigo and drop attacks. Last yr it went bilateral - the tinnitus that is. It is really something else. Despite being totally deaf and having T on the left side, it never really bothered me. But this bilateral T of all sorts of noises and tones. It is like a form of torture. I have thought about suicide nightly since it went bilateral.
Anyway, my question to you is please could you give me your thoughts on Stem Cell therapies or autophagy (where own blood is centrifuged then put back into body)?
I wonder about if say I embarked on one of these therapies, would the whole hydrops journey just begin again on a fresh ear becuase genetically I am programmed to have hydrops?
Also, what do you think about the theory that meniere's is immune related and is a dysfunction of the MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue). There is an australian named Stephen Spring who has a theory but unfortunately he has patented it and charges $5500 for the knowledge. Sounds like snake oil I know. But people with menieres, like me, are very very desperate.
Thanks in advance. Sorry if I'm posting in the wrong place. I'm havng an awful day. I'm dizzy, I'm nauseated, and I can't hear anyting over the Tinnitus. All I want to do is be a mum to my little girl. I want my life back.

It is moving to beyond theory now. There are others who have figured it out.

 

[Kashmir]

Oh it's wonderful to have a doctor on board!
Just sharing my journey...
From my previous (first) post:
"Ive had T Practically my whole life (I've only known 1 other person who had it) but I've never sought treatment or really even questioned it because every Dr always said there's nothing can be done....it didn't even occur to me there might be a forum- whole community of sufferers! "

In addition to that;
I've also had problems with ear aches/pain in colder (windy) months. If I don't wear a warm total coverage hat I get bad earaches (not infections).
I can wear headphones no problem.
But can't stand really noisy places.
Have to have white noise (usually a fan) to sleep and my thunderstorm app. Can't sleep w/o fan. (which makes camping difficult).
Since I also have MS my body/brain is in constant 'alert' mode.
Some of my meds intensify the ringing= frustrating.
More recently...
I get a lot of migraines.
I have a problem with Sinitis pain, which at times provoke my Migraines. I take Sudafed daily.
(Have nasal CTS Wednesday - Fingers crossed!)
And to top it all off I'm menopausal!
Yes, my life sucks because I feel like utter crap 80% of the time.

PS- when I lived in Taos the elevation seemed to keep the ringing less annoying.

 

[billie48]

Oh it's wonderful to have a doctor on board!

Dr. Charlie is probably not active with the forum now. But there are other doctors in the Doctor's Corner where you can ask them questions.