Tinnitus Article in 12/14/10 Wall Street Journal

[JerseyGirl2]

There's an article about tinnitus ("A Most Annoying Ringtone: Researchers Explore New Treatments to Silence the Persistent Din in the Ear") in today's (December 14, 2010) issue of the Wall Street Journal. Here's the link:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748703727804576017473782047928.html

If the link doesn't work, just google:

melinda beck a most annoying ringtone wall street journal

Also available today is an online questionnaire to evaluate how disruptive your tinnitus is. Go to WSJ.com/Health and follow the link.

Catherine (JerseyGirl 2)

[sunfish]

Thanks for sharing this.  Great article!  My tinnitus doesn't really bother me, in general.  My hearing aid does help mask it alot.  Funny how the sounds change from time to time - I've had a high-pitched hiss or ringing, and now a new "ticky, ticky, ticky" sound like an insect in my head/ear.

[moe]

Great Article!
Thanks
I especially can relate to the part:

For some patients, it's not the noise itself that's so distressing, but the anxiety that comes along with it.
Researchers long theorized—and have now seen on brain scans—that the limbic system, the brain's primitive fight-or-flight response, is highly activated in some tinnitus sufferers.
Patients often have generalized anxiety disorder or depression and a few become suicidal; but it's unclear which came first. (I"m not suicidal..... yet.... )

I definitely have noticed the increase anxiety since my surgery, associated with the tinnitus.
I got that BAHA (should post this in my other post) and the verdict is: NO it doesn't get rid of the tinnitus (the tinnitus will always be there- I knew that), but it does help to muffle it, and with the different "settings", can provide background static. So YES, it appears that it is helping my tinnitus More studies to follow, when I go back to the audiologist.

Mauren

[CHD63]

Catherine .....

Thanks for sharing this link.  Like Maureen, I can relate to the same part she did.  Last night we were at a restaurant, seated in a booth next to a group of birthday celebrators.  They were laughing/shrieking hysterically so much so that my anxiety shot up to an unbearable level.  We immediately asked our server to be re-seated elsewhere (since our meals had not yet arrived).  She was very sweet and said, "Let me seat them elsewhere ....."

Whew!  Now I know I am not making this up!!

Clarice

[Lizard]

Thanks for sharing, had to put that one on my facebook : )

[Calgaryjoe]

Another article on supplement

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1340535/A-Christmas-tree-miracle-Pine-bark-ease-misery-UKs-7-million-tinnitus-sufferers.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

[Mei Mei]

Dear Sunfish,
What is your hearing aide that helps mask the tinnitus?   

Mei Mei

[sarahinPA]

Hello all!

I have tinnitus, at times it is worse than others, but if it is help for anyone, a little piece of advice. I use a sound machine at night to sleep, I play a light rain noise to sleep, which helps drown out the ringing. I bought my sound machine from Bed Bath and Beyond for $20. It was the best $20 i ever spent, and its relaxing so my boyfriend loves to have it on too!

[Mei Mei]

My ENT recommended decresing caffeine and also to listen to an iPod or MP3 player for two hours a day.   He said this would help.   It's so hard for me to give up my morning coffee though.
Mei Mei

[moe]

I wouldn't give up MY morning coffee, Mei Mei.
Maybe just one cup?!
Moe

[Mei Mei]

Thanks, Maureen.   I knew someone would understand about the coffee bit.  That's always the first thing I want when I come down in the morning.

Still haven't got used to listening to the iPod.   I usually play it over speakers and not through my ears.   I just hate piping music through my ears.   I don't know how everybody stands it with the earplugs in their ears.
Mei Mei