Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

#91
Its because I didnt do it properly first time around, as in a full 15 sessions doing a session every day. You have to do it every day for it to work. Thats what all the references to it say and also what they've told me at the centre. I left too many days in between treatments and didnt do enough of them either. This time I'm going to do it properly, give it the full chance to work. I wish I had know about it in the first 3 months of having T instead of messing about with a Scenar device.
 
#92
and they did not tell you that the first time you went there?
I know all about the "I wish I had ... " .. I too have been there and many of us probably feel the same. It's a shame that doctors and patients are not always as well informed as they should be. On the other hand, you are not alone and if you do some research, you'll find that there are many well-known (rich and famous) people out there who have tinnitus. I imagine that unlike us, "ordinary people", they have had access to the best doctors and best treatments ... so why have they not cured their Tinnitus? Because it's not so straightforward as having a HBOT. That's what I think or like to think.
I hope HBOT brings you (and me) the desired relief but in the meantime, lets not punish ourselves with those useless "I wish I had .... " thoughts.
 
#93
What I meant was I wish I had found it when I was first researching as that was in the 3 month window. For cochlear damage the success rate of HBO is much higher if its started within the first 3 months. After that it drops to 30%.
 
#94
New to tinnitus. Other than high-pitch tone, I also have pulsatile tinnitus.

Not acoustic caused.
Hearing perfect.

Onset after panic-anxiety-depression-insomnia attacks.

Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) applies in this case?
 
#95
Hi Ellen,

I wouldnt have thought so, no. HBO increases the oxygen content in the inner ear for over 400% and that aids any healing to damage.

I must say though that you need to be really sure that there is not hearing loss - make sure you see your audiogram and dont just trust the utterances of your audiologist and if possible get a hearing test which goes above 8khz to see if your loss is higher than what they normally test for.

Louise.
 
#96
Wanted to share this:

Stress and tinnitus - from bedside to bench and back

It's a good article depicting the connection between stress and tinnitus.

From the "Stress and tinnitus" paragraph:
  • First, stress may potentially activate the local HPA axis in the inner ear. The consequences of local overdrive in the HPA system in cochlea are so far unknown.
  • Second, stress-activated HPA corticosterone release may affect mineralcorticoid receptor function in cochlea and possibly influence the concentration of potassium secreted by stria vascularis, resulting in tinnitus.
  • Third, stress-induced activation of HPA axis and corticosteroid release could provoke pre- or post-synaptic neuronal plasticity of the auditory system (Figure ​(Figure55).

Well, the whole article is worth a read...
 
#97
Thanks Louise, I go check-up tomorrow.

A good read, Markku!
But my tinnitus-laden brain is finding it difficult to discipher.
Can any kind soul translate this is simple English?
--

From the "Stress and tinnitus" paragraph:
  • First, stress may potentially activate the local HPA axis in the inner ear. The consequences of local overdrive in the HPA system in cochlea are so far unknown.
  • Second, stress-activated HPA corticosterone release may affect mineralcorticoid receptor function in cochlea and possibly influence the concentration of potassium secreted by stria vascularis, resulting in tinnitus.
  • Third, stress-induced activation of HPA axis and corticosteroid release could provoke pre- or post-synaptic neuronal plasticity of the auditory system (Figure ​(Figure55).
 
#98
Thanks for this article on stress, Markku. This makes a lot of sense to me. Like Ellen, I think my pulsating and increased ringing started after a stressful event. In my case, it was related to getting onto, and then off of, blood pressure medicine. The question is, can these changes in the cochlea, and in the auditory system, ever be reversed?
 
#99
Yeah it's a bit over my head too, but if I'm not completely mistaken I think the point there is that stress could cause tinnitus on its own... via three different possible means. Or at the very least exacerbate existing tinnitus.

You are not the first one to report tinnitus after or during a period of anxiety etc, and I've seen that happen to people with no apparent tinnitus before. It's not unheard of for the tinnitus to go away after the stressor is no more there. You might get lucky, hopefully so!

Just speaks to the complexity of hearing/nervous system, though... :banghead:

Basically if someone who has noise induced tinnitus... or tinnitus caused by anything really... gets stressed, anxious, and all that, tinnitus can and often becomes more of a problem, but the interesting (and sad if so) part is that if I comprehended correctly, the stress might cause permanent tinnitus...("overdrive in the HPA system in cochlea are so far unknown")

A vicious cycle... first "normal" tinnitus due to something, then becoming stressed about it -> which in turn might cause a permanent increase, and oh.

Based on anecdotal experiences though, I'd say stress causing a permanent increase is very rare. Also often tinnitus that stress brought on goes away on its own in due time. That is purely based on what I've myself spotted on the web over the years, people telling their stories.


But Louise's tip about having a hearing test done is more than valid, do it and as she suggested, ask for one that tests frequencies over 8kHz too. And yes, don't trust the audiologist's "your hearing is normal", ask that they print the results and give them to you on paper...

Report back once you know more!
Markku
 
#100
Karen said:
Thanks for this article on stress, Markku. This makes a lot of sense to me. Like Ellen, I think my pulsating and increased ringing started after a stressful event. In my case, it was related to getting onto, and then off of, blood pressure medicine. The question is, can these changes in the cochlea, and in the auditory system, ever be reversed?
Click to expand...

That is a good question, and while many stress related tinnitus cases resolve on their own, there are the exceptions - those that do not resolve and chronic tinnitus ensues.

The "First, stress may potentially activate the local HPA axis in the inner ear. The consequences of local overdrive in the HPA system in cochlea are so far unknown." grabbed my attention.

I'm sure somehow it's possible for stress to bring on permanent tinnitus and cause some irreparable damage, as that (permanent tinnitus) has been reported to happen due to stress (i.e. no other cause could explain).

Interesting.
 
#101
Markku,
I still wonder if it is possible to calm certain areas of the brain, and eventually resolve the tinnitus. I'm still looking toward brain-related research as a possible answer. It will be interesting to see what researchers come up with in the next 10 years. I hope we get some possible solutions!
 
#102
I think Im an example of where T started off normal and then anxiety has changed it as Markku & the article explains. That is after all what Jastreboff says isnt it, the anxiety loop. How do you not be anxious though? Now I am anxious to not be anxious if you know what I mean :(
 
#103
No go. The doctors didn't think HBO is any use in cases where there is absolutely no hearing loss, even when done in the initial weeks.

Anyone with no hearing loss sees an improvement from HBO?
 
#104
I am at about 7 weeks with tinnitus and I am going to start HBOT treatments on Monday for 15 sessions. Has anyone had these treatments or knows someone who had treatments and can tell me what to expect? The chamber will either be a 5 person or 10 person chamber, will it be noisy? Is it too late for it to help me? Most things I read online says two –three months onset.
 
#105
Hello Goofy. I had no chance to undergo this treatment personally but I am very happy that you have this opportunity - very good! It is one of those few things that seem to help some early tinnitus sufferers. Sadly I don't know what is this procedure like but I wish you the best of luck. Please let us know how it goes!

Some forum members have tried HBO therapy so maybe they could tell you something more about it.
 
#106
I couldn't get doctors to approve HBO.
They say it is for those with hearing loss, which I do not have.
I have hyperacusis though, so wouldn't HBO helped?

For those who hyperventilate (due to anxiety), isn't HBO counter-indicated?
Since hyperventilation is due to too much oxygen in the body system?
 
#107
Thanks Fish, I will try to update my journey with the treatments. I was told by my ENT that there was nothing you can do for it and to live with it. I was offered nothing to try to help. Needless to say I was very disappointed with the doctor. Someone on here suggested HBOT to me and I tried getting treatments close to where I live and my insurance shot me down, no big surprise there, but I found a nonprofit center that will do the treatments for $110 an hour. The down side is that it is 6hrs from where I live so I am leaving tomorrow and staying there to have the treatments.
 
#110
@Goofy

I think yes that because your tinnitus started in January it's possible it'll help you. In Finland they usually suggest the HBO treatment is started within days or a week or two to have the biggest chance of help after acoustic trauma, but as you said, the 3 months seem to be the suggested "last window of opportunity".

Is it 15 x 1hour? Hopefully you see benefit! Let us know afterwards (y)
 
#112
Dive#1, I did my first dive today in the HBOC. Was in for 90min total at the deep dive. Took off oxygen at 45min for 10min to avoid oxygen toxicity and the back on for 45min. Didn't bother my ears any except the normal ear popping while adjusting to the pressure change. Going back tomorrow for #2.
 
#113
Goofy said:
Dive#1, I did my first dive today in the HBOC. Was in for 90min total at the deep dive. Took off oxygen at 45min for 10min to avoid oxygen toxicity and the back on for 45min. Didn't bother my ears any except the normal ear popping while adjusting to the pressure change. Going back tomorrow for #2.
Click to expand...


So about 3-4 hrs after HB OT my left ear started screaming at me. Bothered me most of the night and this morning it is still annoying. Not sure what I did to aggravate it. I hope it wasn't the HBOT. Has anyone experienced this or knows someone who has?? Iam suppose to have another session this morning and not sure if I should.

​
 
#114
I just got done with dive #2 and my left ear is ringing away. I was anxious today and blood pressure is up and tired from little sleep. I think that is making my T contiue today. Hopefully it will calm down some more today. Talked to the nurse this morning before treatment and she said some people have experienced this also, she encouraged me to continue. Will wait and see how the rest of my day goes.
 
#117
Thanks Loiuse, I hope so to.

I finished dive #3 and so far so good. Left ear still ringing but not as bad as Monday. Maybe it is calming down finally. Have to wait and see how the rest of my day goes.
 
#118
How many have you booked Goofy? You know you have to do 15 consecutively dont you? I've written that sentence so often that people must think I'm the HBO Police :) Just trying to give people the correct info about it as I have been told this by the experts in HBO.
 

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