Here Is How I Solved My Tinnitus — New Protocols and Supplements To Try

[Myrna Michell]

@Myrna Michell It appear from you said including your history of problems that postural may be a concern. From your picture your shoulders are not balanced. You are placing pressure on your SCM neck muscles and other neck muscles. I wonder if your left leg is shorter than your right leg. Have you tried therapy for balance and release of your neck muscles?

That posture is unusual and I don't have a misalignment. I was not standing 'square on'. However, yes, I've had cranial osteopathy in recent times, just once, to release neck muscles to see if it would sort out the right ear problem.

 

[Myrna Michell]

Myrna , sounds very similar to meniere's. When my hearing drops down in volume it gets distorted with very little low end frequency. I use a radio and compare my ears by sticking a finger in one ear then the other. Other symptoms is sound sensitivity (hyperacusis) , mild dizziness or sometimes vertigo and pressure on the ear like being in an airplane.

Thanks. I used to have balance problems but it hasn't happened for a long time. It was suggested as labyrinthitis and not Meniere's.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@Myrna Michell http://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/why-does-my-tinnitus-change-in-volume-when-i-turn-my-neck/

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@jay77

Are you saying alprazolam cured your hyperacusis AFTER 2 WEEKS? At 1 mg.

Around that time (first onset) I was also listening to pouring rain (rain season) for a couple of weeks.
For me, with second more recent onset of T, tapering alprazolam was difficult. That was done late last summer.
I don't plan on using alprazolam again, other than a 1/4 tablet on a rare occasion.
My H now comes and goes depending on how faithful I use pink sounds.

 

[Adzy]

I didn't want to wait a week to post an update because it's working so well. My ringing has reduced 80% and I've had periods of bliss silence. Whether you figure your TT is infection related, sound-induced or other the netti pot worked for me a great deal telling me I had/have some ETD (Eustachian Tube Dysfunction). ETD could be your cause, if you havent already thoroughly moved on it. I will post back later when it's completely gone for atleast a day or two. BUT this guy right here, below, has done all the additional work for me. Leave it to the engineer. I'll be getting and doing all this guy recommends, especially in my case. Inflammation, which I mentioned earlear, indeed. Thanks @engineerLA!

Hi everyone,

I have figured out some treatment protocols that really help with at least some forms of tinnitus.

I think that many people have tinnitus that is actually caused by eustachian tube inflammation. Not all tinnitus comes from this problem -- some tinnitus is due to actual injury to the eardrum or hearing loss or other neurological causes -- but my hypothesis is that a lot more tinnitus cases are due to inflammation than anyone realizes. Even ENTs don't realize this in many cases (many of them are really surgeons who take a mechanical view of the ear and don't really pay that much attention to inflammation, unless it is very acute and obvious).

Simply put: When the eustachian tube becomes chronically inflamed it can lead to negative pressure in the middle ear and this results in tinnitus. The inflammation causes the tube to swell and stick shut, preventing normal ventilation, and this forms a sort of vacuum that pulls on the eardrum causing irritation that results in tinnitus. Inflammation can also lead to chronic low-grade infections in the middle ear that in turn results in negative pressure and irritation of the eardrum in the same way.

I have struggled with this problem for many months and have found several solutions that really make a difference. And the good news is that they are easy.

First of all, you really need to get serious about reducing inflammation in your entire body, and also your ears. Try the following:

1. Eliminate common allergens from your diet as much as you can. Especially dairy.

2. Take nasal steroids every day. A really good newer one is Dymista: http://www.dymista.com/

NOTE -- There is a proper way to take nasal steroids in order to direct them at the opening of your eustachian tubes -- You can learn about this technique here: http://www.fauquierent.net/etd2.htm

3. Use a device like the ear popper to help clear your eustachian tubes -- it really helps! Use it many times a day, and over time it will help to reduce negative pressure and re-open your eustachian tube. It's not that cheap, but worth it! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00449CW36/

4. Take high quality, super strong turmeric liquid. It's also not cheap but worth it and has a great effect on inflammation and has helped my tinnitus. There are many places to buy it -- here is one:
https://www.amazon.com/Health-Rangers-Organic-Turmeric-extract/dp/B00GSTOTEU/

5. Reduce systemic infections to further reduce inflammation; one supplement that really helps your immune system fight infections over time is Monolaurin (also called Lauricydin). Here is where I get it: https://www.amazon.com/Lauricidin®-Original-Monolaurin-Supplement-227gram/dp/B004I8SMOQ/

6. Irrigate your sinuses with a Sinus Pulse machine. It's a neti pot on steriods basically.

Here is a source for the best one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CWT4JI/

And another one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005UO6NRA/

7. If you have a neti pot or a sinus irrigator (see point 6), you can also try this more advanced technique:

Angle your head so that the warm salt water comes out your mouth (this way it is going in your nostril, and out your mouth, passing right over the opening of the eustachian tube).

Immediately after the water starts to comes out your mouth, while the opening to your eustachian tube is still soaked with water, "pop" your ear by holding your nose and blowing.

When done right you will hear a squeak sound as some of the water goes into your eustachian tube when you pop your ear.

Repeat this a few times and more water will go in. Then let it drain out. You can move your head around, touch your toes a few times, to help the drainage.

This will help to clean out your eustachian tube. It has an immediate effect on tinnitus that is caused by eustachian tube issues.

Note that if you get water in there, it may temporarily cause a sensation of ear fullness and reduced hearing, but it will drain out and you will notice improvement over several days.

Also don't overdo this - too much water in there could cause an ear infection. Start slow and don't try to pop your ears too hard or force too much water in there -- you could damage your eardrum. This is an advanced technique and should only be done if you are also doing all of the other steps to reduce inflammation.

8. You can use a similar technique to point (7) to "milk" nasal steroids into your eustachian tube. Simply pop your ear after the you properly use the nasal steroid (see point 2) and this will milk the steroid into your eustachian tube where it can help to reduce inflammation.

9. Also try this tinnitus supplement which, if taken regularly, really helps reduce inflammation as well: https://www.amazon.com/Clear-Tinnitus-Products-60-Caps/dp/B0014AX72I/

10. Also take allergy medication every day (at night ideally) such as Allegra. This will also reduce sinus and eustachian inflammation.

11. In severe cases of tinnitus caused by negative pressure, if none of the above relieves it, your ENT can actually do a very simple surgical procedure to make a tiny hole in your eardrum, with or without a temporary tube inserted. This can allow air to flow in from the outside and relieve the vacuum, allowing the eustachian tube to open again. The eardrum heals on its own in a few weeks and there is minimal (temporary) hearing loss. This is not often suggested by ENT's but they can easily do it, and if none of the above work, you might want to bring it up with your doctor. It has helped some people immediately.


Also note, some things that I have tested that definitely don't help and/or can even make tinnitus worse:

1. Caffeine makes tinnitus worse in many cases, especially pulsatile tinnitus.
2. Cannabis has no effect on tinnitus or may even make it temporarily more annoying.
3. Rife machines do not have any effect on tinnitus. Don't waste your time. I've tested them.
4. Colloidal silver has no effect on tinnitus (and please don't put it your eyes as some people suggested in a forum thread here, unless you want the whites of your eyes to turn grey permanently!).

 

[PetitGarsTimide]

This thread is a commercial lmao

 

[Strife_84]

I was given cortisone for my tinnitus.

I think the ENT might have suspected this is caused by ETI (Eustachian tube infection) since I do have sinus problems.

But I actually did damage my hearing so..
But I also did happen to have sinua infection at the same time.

 

[Rafaa]

It is possible the OP dissolved and/or weakened the bacterial biofilms that existed within his middle ear and possibly sinuses with the netipot . Then the Z pack completely killed whatever was holding on.

Personally I struggle with chronic otitis media since getting tinnitus. My ETs seem to function okay, I have no problem with pressure and popping my ears. As it is a mucosal issue I have, I believe I too have an issue with a microorganisms in my middle ear. I will try the netipot for a few months when I work up the courage.

 

[JohnAdams]

Rife machines

What's a rife machine?

 

[JohnAdams]

Turmeric on its own will only help with inflammation. Results will take time but it can help.

YES! This is what I am experiencing.

 

[pinklights98]

@JohnAdams i think(and hope) you'll end up curing your own tinnitus even before a legitimate cure comes out. The progress you've made through your own research is incredible, and maybe before your two year mark you will be free of this thing.

 

[JohnAdams]

nd maybe before your two year mark you will be free of this thing.

shewee that would be great.

My tinnitus at this point just seems to be due to nerve damage that comes and goes. Sometimes it goes away pretty much entirely and it is really astounding. My hyperacusis is one too.

 

[pinklights98]

@JohnAdams Maybe nerves are the last to heal. The fact that it has become sort of intermittent is a great thing, though.

 

[JohnAdams]

@JohnAdams Maybe nerves are the last to heal. The fact that it has become sort of intermittent is a great thing, though.

There is hearing loss without tinnitus. Fact. That leads me to believe we can be healed without growing hair cells.

 

[morgothaod]

Is it possible to have eustachian tube inflammation without having any symptoms? My ears feel fine but I did get tinnitus from an ear infection in 2009. I tried the Valsalva maneuver but it did nothing for my tinnitus. I'm considering buying an EarPopper but I guess it would be a waste of money?

 

[EliDeni]

I've been up for the past 24 hours reading this entire thread....that's how desperate I am.

I woke up from a nap about a year ago with this high pitch noise in my ears. It's weird because my ears will "ring" on occasion along with the high pitch noise that's been ongoing since the day I woke up from that nap. I've had post nasal drip for as long as I can remember, I do have allergies and both nostrils take turns being stopped up. I had an MRI last year that showed some sinus issues. NOW, I've also developed this fullness in both ears going on now for about 2 weeks. I have in appointment with and ENT in 3 days so I'm really praying they give me answers, but does someone here have som for me? I'm desperate. I had a string of panic attacks last year for about 3 months and not even sure why. The T came a few months after those. But I'm so clogged up now and ears are still ringing. I'm also guilty of clenching my jaws and teeth ALL the time.

 

[Enterprise]

Hi everyone,

I think that engineerLA is on to something with his protocol, and there's a really easy way to tell if you're suffering from the same condition that he's described.

Plug your nose, and then attempt to inhale through your nose. If your tinnitus increases as you do so, then you're probably experiencing what he's describing.

From my experience, the most important treatment of the ones that he described is to avoid dairy. For some reason, dairy foods seem to make my eustachian tube issues much worse, which in turns makes my tinnitus worse. Treating allergies with the steroid/antihistamine spray combo he described, taking Allegra, and eliminating allergens from your environment (especially dust and dust mites) can help as well.

I would also add that sucking on a large lollipop, like the one's sold at See's Candies, also seems to help. Tinnitus gets worse while I'm sucking (negative pressure, probably), but after I'm done sucking on two of them, I usually see relief for several hours.

Drinking a lot of water may also help.

 

[Enterprise]

I had these same symptoms. I saw two ENTs who both said that they could find nothing wrong. The internet led me to some of the solutions that engineerLA recommended here, none of which really made a huge difference until I decided to cut dairy out of my diet and aggressively treat my dust mite and other allergies.

I've been up for the past 24 hours reading this entire thread....that's how desperate I am.

I woke up from a nap about a year ago with this high pitch noise in my ears. It's weird because my ears will "ring" on occasion along with the high pitch noise that's been ongoing since the day I woke up from that nap. I've had post nasal drip for as long as I can remember, I do have allergies and both nostrils take turns being stopped up. I had an MRI last year that showed some sinus issues. NOW, I've also developed this fullness in both ears going on now for about 2 weeks. I have in appointment with and ENT in 3 days so I'm really praying they give me answers, but does someone here have som for me? I'm desperate. I had a string of panic attacks last year for about 3 months and not even sure why. The T came a few months after those. But I'm so clogged up now and ears are still ringing. I'm also guilty of clenching my jaws and teeth ALL the time.

 

[all to gain]

To suck or not to suck a lollipop?

That is the most important question on all tinnitus sufferers' minds right now.

 

[GlennS]

Would it really be about how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?

 

[leftearguy]

I have mild-moderate static/hissing noise that has been there since I got visual snow in September 2019. Well it used to be mild but it increased a bit since I used some headphones a week ago. My left ear popped and then all of a sudden I hear a more piercing version of the static. When I try popping my ears by holding my nose and swallowing, only my right ear pops and my left ear with the static does not pop. Is this a sign that it could be related to an issue in the tubes like OP says? I have a family history of inflammation and neural issues and Im wondering if my visual snow, DPDR, and tinnitus is all connected in that way.

 

[Peanut Farm]

Had a really nasty infection in my left ear last year from a perforated eardrum which led to mastoiditis, then Bells Palsy for a few months. Had temporary (mild) hearing loss in the left ear for about 3 months, the right ear was great.

After recovering from that (took about 304 months for the Bells Palsy to go away and have full function on the left hand side of my face), my right ear become blocked for no reason and started to get really throbbing tinnitus. So for the last 6 months, my right ear feels full and I couldn't pop it at all.

I recently bought a Eustachi & an Otovent I've been using it the last few days. It's weird because my right ear becomes even fuller once I use it? So I then bought a facial steamer and have been using that the last few days.

My tinnitus is just horrible, constant ringing in the ears, today however I felt a slight pop in my right ear so hopefully I am onto something.

In the next couple of weeks, I will try @engineerLA's method and report back.

 

[Pattmtbgirl]

I normally would not post to a thread, however, the person who originally started this is on to something. He needs to know when his actions work. It appears many of the replies are what did not work.

I started off with mild tinnitus in May of 2020. I have a long history of adult allergies and earaches. I mountain bike three days a week which has made my allergies much worse over the years. I had surgery for something unrelated in 10/2020 and stopped taking my Allegra and nasal spray for two months since I was not going to be outside on my bike and the end result was a horrible increase in the tinnitus. I am now back on both meds but not much improvement and now the tinnitus has caused horrible anxiety which just makes the tinnitus worse. I have done a round of Medrol, it helped while on it, but not now.

Until I read this post and actually did everything he suggested, even the #7 advanced method and I am seeing some improvement. This does work but you have to be committed and patient. I have an ENT appointment and an allergist appointment over the next several weeks.

Thank you for your time and commitment to share this with us. I think people don't have the insight to know that the author's post is his experiences and they may not work for you.

 

[Enterprise]

I continue to agree with the OP. But, since I started trying his proposed protocols, I've discovered two additional things:

1. Dairy intake doesn't seem to have much effect for me. Just as a test, I spent a whole week drinking vanilla milkshakes with lunch, and saw no increase or decrease in my tinnitus.

2. Intake of cured meats containing nitrates and nitrites do seem to make quite a difference. When I stopped eating cured bacon with my breakfast, I saw a moderate drop-off in tinnitus within 48 hours, and then a much slower tapering for several weeks since then. I actually stopped because I experienced an episode of gout, where my ankle swelled up and become incredibly painful. I also combined this dietary change with an effort to drink a LOT of water, and so it is also possible that it was the water that made the difference.