[PurpleGeek (OP)]

I have been dealing with Tinnitus for 8 months now, and have had little luck getting sensible suggestions from my Ear, Nose and Throat doctor about it. By now, I think I'm safe in assuming that it's NOT an ear infection, and I have not sustained any head injuries or noise damage that could have brought it on.
Does anyone know of other causes for Tinnitus?

[Don_1]

My brother has had Tinnitus for many years now. No treatment worked for him and he has resigned himself to having to put up with it.

There is some good information on the condition here: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Tinnitus/Pages/Introduction.aspx?url=Pages/What-is-it.aspx
and here: http://www.tinnitus.org.uk/

It is worth noting that there are many charlatans out there who claim to guarantee that their potion will cure Tinnitus. They will certainly cure you of a heavy wallet, but that's about all.

[Chemistry4me]

Similar questions:

What causes tinnitus?

What causes tinnitus and how can the symptoms of tinnitus be treated

Tinnitus

Tinnitus HELP

[DrN]

My husband has had tinnitus for years and years. His hearing is perfect - its been suggested too perfect, which may have something to do with it - and, likewise, has had no joy from the health service. However, I did some internet research a couple of years back and came up with a few ideas that I proposed he tried. His tinnitus has been very much reduced since then, so here are my tips:

• Do not take ibuprofen, ever. Apparently it can exacerabate things, or even cause tinnitus in a small number of people. Aspirin is also an NSAID, and may have a similar effect.
• Make sure you get enough B vitamins, particularly vit B12. Deficiency can be associated with chronic tinnitus
• Black cohosh has also been recommended.
• Make sure you get enough zinc.

 

I know this sounds like a lot of supplements, but its not too bad. He did try the Black Cohosh, but didn't keep it up. seemed like the vit B12 and not taking ibuprofen were the main things for him.

If you try any of this, and if any of it works, please let me know, and I'll patent it and earn lots of money!!

[techmind]

Some antibiotics (particularly from the -mycin family) are known to be oto-toxic and can cause temporary or longer-term deafness. It might not be stretching credibility that they might also cause/exacerbate tinnitus.

There's several types of tinnitus including what's known as objective tinnitus where the ear actually *makes* the whistle you hear (and can be measured by putting a delicate microphone in the ear canal!).

Another thing to consider is whether you're suddenly spending more time in very quiet places as this can make you more aware of tinnitus.
People also seem to tend to get (or become more bothered by) tinnitus when stressed-out by something else.

[MsMellyMc]

I've had tinnitus for quite a few months now...didn't realize I had it til one night I was trying to sleep and thought it was b/c of the "bugs" outside.  Come to find out, it was all in my head...errr ear. 
I've had a history of ear infections, sinus infections, so I'm assuming that's what has caused this annoying ringing/buzzing/hissing in my ear.  At times it drives me completely bananas!!  Oh and did I mention I have hearing loss in that ear too?  yuck!

I'm trying to stay away from all the things that make it worse, but it just seems to get louder by the minute.

[DrN]

This isn't an advert (as I have no financial motivation), but I bought my husband an excellent christmas present - the sound asleep pillow. He loves it and can't (or won't) sleep without it! It's a normal pillow with a small speaker in it, so you can plug your ipod or MP3 player into it, and it will play at a reasonable volume. I can't hear it at all, but it blocks out his tinnitus noises and helps him sleep. Fantastic.

[LivingwithTinnitus]

Has anyone heard to stay away from aspirin?  Someone mentioned on another forum that aspirin makes it act up, just curious if this was common knowledge or not.

[Don_1]

Asprin can have an effect on some tinnitus sufferers to varying degrees. I think it has even been suggested that asprin can cause tinnitus. But if you have tinnitus, perhaps its as well not to experiment, take paracetamol instead.

BTW some report no ill effect at all from asprin.

[Titanscape]

My Dr friend suggested it is caused by bone pressure in the skull. I normally don't notice the ringing. Like a gas leak.

[Dimi]

Well as has been said dieting and looking after your body. Exercise blablabla.

Heres a good link I found on google ~ http://www.tinnitus.asn.au/tinnitus.htm

Also ones life style, if you freqeunt night clubs, listen to really loud music or play an instrument in a band ~ you need to look after your ears and wear ear plugs. (Or get music ear plugs which reduce sound by around 20 dB ~ but the pitch and anything else remains the same)

Its the curse of sensitivity, I have highly sensitive hearing to. If you've been listening to loud things alot ~ then Tinnitus is the occurance of ear degradation due to damage. It comes down to life style factors.

Just eat healthy, exercise and make sure you wear ear plugs.. It isn't bad at all

[mathewkevin]

Hi Everyone,

I know some reasons for tinnitus.
1.Age-related hearing loss
2.Exposure to loud noise
3.Earwax blockage
4.Changes in ear bones
5.Meniere's disease
6.Head injuries or neck injuries
7.Acoustic neuroma - Acoustic neuroma is a noncancerous tumor.

etc etc are some tinnitus causes.I found all of this in newbielink:http://www.eartinnitus.com/tinnitus-causes.html [nonactive]

Regards,
mathew

[cherokee]

I regularly fly light aircraft. I suffer from tinnitus which gets less if I do not fly more than a week, so I put it down to either aircraft engine noise or frequent change of altitude.  Assuming it to be the former reason, has anyone any explanation or experience as to whether it may be improved through using Active Noise Reduction (ANR) headsets ?

[sten]

In a major story in the news recently, scientists in Germany had success alleviating tinnitus by playing patients 'notched' music with the tinnitus 'note' removed! It took a year of regular listening for most of them.
Sadly I don't know who can provide this service in the UK but I have 'notched' my own music just using an equalizer.