Saturday 24 September 2011

Clonazepam For Tinnitus

Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine drug (a "benzo") that is used for many medical conditions such as epilepsy, panic disorder and as an anti-anxiety medication.

Some ENTs advise using this drug to treat tinnitus and many people report an improvement. In some countries, it is a favorite drug among doctors precisely for this purpose (for example, in France, where doctors are notorious for prescribing lots of medication generally, relative to those in other countries). However, in some people, Clonazepam doesn't appear to do anything.

How is this? Could it be simply due to reduced anxiety (anxiety/stress are well known to be linked to tinnitus intensity) and therefore you could use an alternative antidepressant drug or is there some other reason?

It is postulated that because benzodiazepine drugs work on GABA receptors which are neurotransmitter sensitive, that this therefore means that they are neuroinhibiting and can reduce the overactivity of nerves responsible for tinnitus.

One of the problems with all benzodiazepine drugs is that they are highly addictive and never intended as a long term measure. So does this mean they are just a temporary measure? Not necessarily, because some report that the benefits remain after they wean themselves off the drugs. One of the problems sometimes reported is a rebound effect of tinnitus temporarily getting worse after coming off the drugs but this usually dissipates quickly and it is not recommended to go immediately back onto treatment.

Not much in the way of studies have been done on Clonazepam for treating tinnitus but on such can be found here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14763236. The authors of the study concluded tinnitus was improved in 32% of patients. They also found that 16.9% of patients experienced "adverse side effects" including light or mild drowsiness, depression, nightmares, or lowering of libido.

Chronic Tinnitus Sufferer Finds A Natural, Scientifically Proven Way To Cure Tinnitus Without Coping Mechanisms or Background Noise, And Finally Reveals The Incredibly Easy Steps You Could Already Be Taking To Eliminate Tinnitus and Keep It Away Forever - Click Here.

Otosclerosis And Tinnitus

Otosclerosis is a medical condition where abnormal bone growth in the middle ear can cause hearing loss. The main type of hearing loss that it causes is conductive hearing loss. So this means that although sounds reach your ear drum, they can't get transmitted to your cochlea (main hearing organ) effectively. This is understandable but should not cause tinnitus.

However, many people also think, controversially, that it can also cause sensorineural hearing loss. This is the type of hearing loss that is associated with tinnitus. How might it do this? It is postulated that the abnormal bone growth causes inflammation which breaks down bone, the byproducts of which are toxic to hair cells in the cochlea and therefore causes the sensorineural hearing loss.

So if you suffer from otosclerosis and tinnitus then what can you do? One study (http://www.tinnitusjournal.com/detalhe_artigo.asp?id=21) has shown that you can take bisphosphonate drugs which will reduce the production of osteoclasts in the middle ear which are characteristic of this condition. If you can do that then you should be able to stop the chain reaction that leads to tinnitus and reduce or even eliminate your symptoms. Of course, all the other preventative measures and advice for tinnitus will also help - if you think about it, you actually have an advantage: effectively you have a more treatable version of tinnitus.

There is also a more radical option which is called a stapedectomy. This is an operation where the bone responsible is actually removed and replaced with a synthetic one, a bit like a prosthesis. If the bone isn't there then you can no longer experience the abnormal growth that caused all your problems in the first place.

Chronic Tinnitus Sufferer Finds A Natural, Scientifically Proven Way To Cure Tinnitus Without Coping Mechanisms or Background Noise, And Finally Reveals The Incredibly Easy Steps You Could Already Be Taking To Eliminate Tinnitus and Keep It Away Forever - Click Here.

How To Ignore Tinnitus

Some people go crazy (almost literally) because they are so focussed on trying to get rid of their tinnitus. Let's face it, most people can get some relief from their symptoms but there is a wide range of this type of "success". Nobody can reverse their hearing damage and turn back time.

This means we have to re-evaluate what your goals should be. If you think about it, if you were able to totally ignore your symptoms then you would effectively be cured. Think of it in the same way as advanced meditators are able to block out all external stimuli. Except that your goal is much easier to achieve than theirs!

Here is a guy who has almost managed to totally ignore his tinnitus, check it out: http://eternalbeep.wordpress.com/2011/08/30/how-to-ignore-tinnitus/

Quinine For Tinnitus - Friend Or Foe?

What about using quinine for tinnitus? Quinine is a well known old-world (prior to modern drugs) treatment for malaria and other ailments. It has many powerful health properties such as analgesic (pain-relieving) properties and even antipyretic (fever reducing) properties. It is even a muscle relaxant.

So, can it be used for tinnitus?

Some people talk of quinine water which is a mixture of quinine in water, and using it for tinnitus. However, I strongly advise against this because it could actually worsen your tinnitus!

This is because quinine is well known to cause hearing damage which is the precursor to tinnitus. Some argue that the link is not so clear cut, that there is no proof that it causes permanent hearing loss. However, others disagree with this and many tinnitus sufferers argue that it caused their tinnitus or made it much worse.

Don't forget that quinine is also present in some bottled drinks so always read the label when drinking anything new. Due to it's bitter taste, it is often added to lemon or citrus flavoured drinks for added bite. Do not underestimate quinine and it's damaging effects on your hearing and ability to aggravate your hearing and tinnitus.

Chronic Tinnitus Sufferer Finds A Natural, Scientifically Proven Way To Cure Tinnitus Without Coping Mechanisms or Background Noise, And Finally Reveals The Incredibly Easy Steps You Could Already Be Taking To Eliminate Tinnitus and Keep It Away Forever - Click Here.

Tinnitus - VA Disability Compensation

Tinnitus is common among veterans. Some doctors say that over 50% of veterans suffer from tinnitus, the cause of which is hearing damage due to loud noise exposure, usually due to gunfire and explosions but it can even be due to long term exposure to loud machinery.

Luckily, the VA (Veterans Association) recognizes the clear link between damage to hearing from serving and tinnitus. That said, if you want to claim VA Disability Compensation then you must provide medical evidence. What does this mean exactly? This means you must be able to show that you were exposed to prolonged bouts of loud noise during active duty (where and how). You must also demonstrate that you have measurable and significant hearing loss. Most important, you must get a state licensed audiologist (a professional who measures your hearing ability) to provide a documented opinion that you have hearing loss and that it came due to your active duty.

I recommend that you see an audiologist at your nearest VA medical center. Sure, you could go to any licensed audiologist but they may not be used to seeing veterans. Most states have a VA Medical Center, you can find a big list of them here: VA Medical Centers by state.

Remember, an audiologist can test your hearing. He or she will also ask you about your tinnitus but this is a subjective test that depends on what you tell them. Therefore it is very important to get across to the audiologist just how intense and debilitating the tinnitus is to you. Don't understate your tinnitus or else you may not successfully be able to argue that the tinnitus was caused by your active duty and you may be refused compensation.

Some people say that your symptoms of tinnitus must be constant in order to claim it but others say that this is an old rule only. Apparently, the new rules state that if it is not constant then so long as it keeps returning and does not go away (i.e. it is recurrent and not a one-off) then you should qualify for the compensation.

Also, when presenting your case of your duty, where you served, doing what etc., don't just write a list of what you did and where. Write your own summary and be sure to highlight the long exposure to loud noises. Also speak to your buddies and get them to write supporting statements to show that your experience can be corroborated by others. All of these little things can go a long way in your case to get your entitled VA disability compensation for tinnitus.

Do not just include details of rifle/gun fire. Blasts are more likely to cause the hearing damage that leads to tinnitus. If you can document or show proof that you were exposed to blasts (e.g. IED explosions) then your claim will be more successful. Even videos and news reports can help. I recommend looking at sites such as Liveleak which contain a lot of archived war coverage.

Make the best case that you can because you do have to fight hard these days to get what you are due. Good luck.

Are you a veteran suffering from tinnitus? We recommend End Your Tinnitus (click here) to help fight back against your symptoms.

Wednesday 7 September 2011

Ignoring Tinnitus - Techniques To Ignore Tinnitus

Ignoring tinnitus is one method that has a lot more going for it than you might realize.

Many sufferers of this widespread condition understandably want to "cure" it. When you realize that this is not yet possible then you quickly realize that if you can ignore it successfully then you will effectively reach a very similar aim - less to no stress from your condition and an improved quality of life.

The best method of ignoring your symptoms is not to distract yourself from them but to train your mind to ignore them, on both a conscious and a sub-conscious level. You can do this with something called "tinnitus retraining therapy".

TRT, as it is usually abbreviated to, is a technique where you listen to a type of white noise. Specific parameters of this white noise are altered over a period of several months and the eventual outcome is that your mind effectively ignores your tinnitus. Sure, the ringing is still there but you are so "detuned" to it that it is almost as if it does not exist. Your stress levels lower and this also has a major impact as stress and anxiety are closely linked to perception of tinnitus.

Chronic Tinnitus Sufferer Finds A Natural, Scientifically Proven Way To Cure Tinnitus Without Coping Mechanisms or Background Noise, And Finally Reveals The Incredibly Easy Steps You Could Already Be Taking To Eliminate Tinnitus and Keep It Away Forever - Click Here.

William Shatner - Tinnitus Retraining Therapy

William Shatner is effectively the "poster boy" for tinnitus. Though there are millions of tinnitus sufferers in the US alone, until Shatner spoke out they lacked a voice and government funding for research remained disproportionately low in comparison to this condition's wide prevalence.

Shatner himself claims that he has found great relief from tinnitus retraining therapy. This is a technique that uses white noise. The idea is that you get your brain accustomed to the white noise and used to it. When the training is over, your brain has also become accustomed to your tinnitus and you effectively hardly realize that you have it. Shatner claims to have had a 95% reduction in his symptoms, to the point where he is no longer suicidal.

I don't doubt Shatner's great benefit from TRT but remember that "95%" is firstly a subjective measurement and not a scientific measurement (not to my knowledge anyway). Secondly, as with almost any form of treatment, results may vary from one person to the next.

Still, if you can get TRT on insurance or for a good price then I strongly recommend it. It does take around a year to complete but can have a radical impact on your quality of life. If you want to know more about William Shatner's experience with TRT then you can find out more here: Seattle Times Newspaper.

Chronic Tinnitus Sufferer Finds A Natural, Scientifically Proven Way To Cure Tinnitus Without Coping Mechanisms or Background Noise, And Finally Reveals The Incredibly Easy Steps You Could Already Be Taking To Eliminate Tinnitus and Keep It Away Forever - Click Here.

Tinnitus Has Ruined My Life - Is This You?

Tinnitus has ruined my life - if this is you then please read this. It could really help you.

I totally get where you are coming from and I want to help you. I have helped many tinnitus sufferers over the last few years and there is no such thing as "too extreme a case" or a case gone too far.

As you probably already know, there is no drug cure for tinnitus. But if your intensity of symptoms has gotten to the stage where it is affecting you so much, then please rest assured that you can definitely get a decrease in your symptoms. I'm sure that you know as well as I do that even a small fall in intensity will make a huge difference in your life at this juncture.

The first thing you need to do is to protect what hearing you have left. Otherwise, our efforts will be in vain. Clearly, your hearing is already very fragile. Get a good set of earplugs that will drown out background noise. Background noise of all types is often the loudest and therefore the most damaging and many don't realize that. Your hearing is very precious right now so avoid foam plugs. Consider getting yourself a set of custom-made ear plugs. If you can't afford them then those plugs that have 3 increasing size discs are better than foam ones. Wear plugs when you think your hearing could be at risk from loud sounds.

Second, you need to address your stress and anxiety levels. Right now, you have gotten into a kind of trap where your tinnitus stressed you and therefore your anxiety levels rose. This increased anxiety can lead to either increased tinnitus intensity or a perception of it which will in turn increase your anxiety even more. As you can see, it's a vicious circle and you need to break out of this chain of events. I strongly advise you start taking some natural sedative supplements to begin with. These won't make you feel tired like pharmaceutical ones. A great one is "L-theanine", ask your local health store about it. Many tinnitus sufferers have experienced great relief thanks to it and it will help you to break the circle.

Third, look into what aggravates tinnitus and look under every stone in your quest to get some relief. Did you know that your diet can affect it? Did you know that even your environment can affect it? There are so many factors involved and everyone is different. Only by looking at each one in turn and making a tweak here to your life and a tweak there to your life can you find out what your own personal worst aggravators are and eliminate or reduce them from your life.

Chronic Tinnitus Sufferer Finds A Natural, Scientifically Proven Way To Cure Tinnitus Without Coping Mechanisms or Background Noise, And Finally Reveals The Incredibly Easy Steps You Could Already Be Taking To Eliminate Tinnitus and Keep It Away Forever - Click Here.

Tinnitus Silencer - How It Can Help You Overcome Your Tinnitus

Tinnitus Silencer is the name of a relatively new tinnitus treatment method. It promises not to cure you (the author is upfront in his opinion that there is no such thing as a "cure") but to help you more easily get to sleep and have better sleep, being able to focus without the distraction of tinnitus symptoms and to be able to hold normal conversations once more without having to read lips anymore.

It's an "e-book" that comes in both pdf and audio mp3 format which is viewable on all computers and tablets etc. Obviously, there are no drugs for tinnitus so it comes as no surprise that this method takes a natural, holistic approach:

First, it advises you which foods can help with your tinnitus and which can hinder it.

Second, the author advises you a cocktail of beneficial daily supplements to take.

Finally, he advises two common things in many people's diets (drinks specifically) that he advises you to avoid or lower your intake of.

To find out more about Tinnitus Silencer right now, click here.

Monday 5 September 2011

Chemo And Tinnitus - Why It Happens And What You Can Do

Chemotherapy is capable of causing tinnitus. That's because some types of chemo are "ototoxic".

Ototoxicity means that a toxin can cause damage to the hearing. Many types of drugs are ototoxic, including platinum-based chemotherapy agents such as cisplatin which was approved for use against testicular and ovarian cancers in 1978 (both germ cell tumors). It is also used for sarcomas lymphomas and some carcinomas.

So if you are being treated with chemo for one of these cancers and have suffered from tinnitus as a result then it was pretty much an unavoidable consequence. So what can you do now?

Hearing damage cannot be reversed. However, there may be many aggravating factors that you can look into. This includes things like artificial sweeteners but also natural substances such as salicyclic acid. Even your environment can be an influence on your tinnitus.

Finally, your stress levels have a big impact on both the intensity of your tinnitus and your subjective perception of it. Many cancer sufferers find several aspects of their disease to be stressful and difficult to cope with. I know this myself from having follow-up appointments for my own cancer which I find very stressful indeed - as if I am living my life from checkup to checkup. If you are finding it tough to cope with cancer then therapy can help. As a last resort after natural options have been exhausted or where your depression is severe, antidepressants can be helpful.

Chronic Tinnitus Sufferer Finds A Natural, Scientifically Proven Way To Cure Tinnitus Without Coping Mechanisms or Background Noise, And Finally Reveals The Incredibly Easy Steps You Could Already Be Taking To Eliminate Tinnitus and Keep It Away Forever - Click Here.

Can Reflexology Help Tinnitus?

Can reflexology help tinnitus?

Reflexology is a type of alternative medicine that is mostly associated with applying pressure to the feet in accordance with the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is thought that specific areas of the foot correspond with organs and parts of the body. According to this, if you therefore press firmly on these areas with a foot massage then you can deliver health benefits.

Can it help or does it work?

While this practice may seem silly to some, it is not expensive and it may well work for some. Now it could just be the placebo effect but acupuncture and reflexology have been shown in the past to be effective for a wide variety of conditions, above and beyond what a placebo effect might do.

Concerning specific wide-range studies on reflexology for tinnitus, I have not seen any. Certainly, there are not enough to prove beyond clinical doubt that the technique works. But, at the end of the day, this technique is very affordable and so it is definitely worth a shot if you suffer from tinnitus.

With all these types of techniques though, do not expect lasting and permanent effects. Typically, you will have to have periodic sessions. Probably once a month would be sufficient and it won't break your bank balance either.

If you are looking for a good reflexologist then try finding your nearest local Chinese community. The nearest herbalist to you is often the best place to start and they may also be able to give you some beneficial herbs too if you are interested.

Remember, though Western medicine cannot explain why Traditional Chinese Medicine works does not mean that it is not worthwhile. Frankly, if you can get a decrease in the intensity of your symptoms then, ask yourself, do you really care how it works? Most tinnitus sufferers do not.

Chronic Tinnitus Sufferer Finds A Natural, Scientifically Proven Way To Cure Tinnitus Without Coping Mechanisms or Background Noise, And Finally Reveals The Incredibly Easy Steps You Could Already Be Taking To Eliminate Tinnitus and Keep It Away Forever - Click Here.

How Do You Cure Yourself Of Tinnitus?

If you have tinnitus, then how do you cure yourself of it?

First, there is no drug out there to help you but then you probably already know that. The best thing that the medical profession can offer you and that you might be able to get on your insurance is something called "tinnitus retraining therapy". This is a way of training your mind to ignore your tinnitus. It doesn't make it go away though. Still, this technique is better than you might think so it is definitely worth going through with it if you can fight to get it for free or for a small fee.

Otherwise, you should look at several aspects of your life to see where your "tinnitus aggravators" are. These are things such as specific ingredients in your diet, your environment and even your mental state of well-being.

Concerning your diet, you should try to eliminate anything containing salicylic acid. Many natural foods contain this substance and it is a problem not only for tinnitus but also for several other conditions too. That's because it is an "excitory neurotransmitter". There are also a number of supplements that you can take too.

Concerning your environment, there are several things that can make your tinnitus worse. For example, even a wireless router can aggravate it in some people. Have you tried purchasing a $5 cable and using that for a month instead to see if your symptoms will decrease? If you haven't, then you need to! For all you know, it could be your primary activator but you just don't know it.

Concerning your mental state, tinnitus intensity increases if you are stressed AND your perception of it also increases - a double barreled gun, if you will. Even the physical stress of fatigue can worsen your tinnitus. If you are stressed then you must do something about it. Of course, stressful situations such as those at work may be difficult to avoid but there are two things you can do about it.

First of all, you can take some supplements - a good one is L-Theanine which is a natural sedative that helps to lower mental stress. The other thing you need to do is control your reaction to so-called "stressful events". It is often not the event itself that is stressful but the reaction of one person compared to another, that makes it so. There are techniques you can learn that will help you to stop having such overly-emotional responses.

Chronic Tinnitus Sufferer Finds A Natural, Scientifically Proven Way To Cure Tinnitus Without Coping Mechanisms or Background Noise, And Finally Reveals The Incredibly Easy Steps You Could Already Be Taking To Eliminate Tinnitus and Keep It Away Forever - Click Here.

Friday 2 September 2011

Ringing In Ears After Shooting Gun - Why And What To Do?

Do you have ringing in the ears after shooting a gun? Well, you're not alone. It is actually quite common.

I am guessing that you did not use any ear protection. When you shoot a gun, there is an extremely loud noise that is so loud that it can damage the hair cells in your ear. Now, sometimes, the damage is only temporary and will resolve itself within a day or so.

However, often times it is not. Just ask any military veteran. Around half of them suffer from permanent or near-permanent ringing in the ears after a career of shooting guns. This is a condition known as tinnitus.

Tinnitus occurs when the hair cells in your ears are permanently damaged. Think of them as being like blades of grass. If the damage is too severe then the blades cannot recover and the same applies to the hair cells.

In this situation, there is much you can do to reduce the symptoms. I have to be honest with you though and tell you that most people do not ever fully cure themselves. However, many people who are focused on doing something about it can reduce their tinnitus intensity to a level that is very easy to live with. Focusing on your goal is the key. Don't try something half-heartedly and then quickly dismiss it because you couldn't be bothered to follow through. You will be doing yourself and your health a disservice if this happens.

There are many things that you can do such as look at your diet and exclude specific aggravators. You can also take a few supplements that can help. Exercise is generally beneficial. Reducing stress and anxiety is very important because they can increase your symptom intensity but also your perception of the intensity. Have a look around this site to learn more.

Chronic Tinnitus Sufferer Finds A Natural, Scientifically Proven Way To Cure Tinnitus Without Coping Mechanisms or Background Noise, And Finally Reveals The Incredibly Easy Steps You Could Already Be Taking To Eliminate Tinnitus and Keep It Away Forever - Click Here.

How Long Does It Take For Your Ears To Stop Ringing After A Concert?

Many times people will start to get the ringing in their ears after a concert or going to a club and standing too close to the speakers without realizing it.

So how long do you have to wait for the ear ringing to go away?

Usually, it will happen within the first 24 hours and occasionally may take longer than that.

But let me give you some advice right now that you should heed. Take this ringing as a warning sign to protect your ears. Next time, it could be permanent and never go away. There are millions of people around the world with such permanent damage done to their hearing, such as most readers of this site, and who strive to find a cure or at least some relief for their debilitating problem.

Invest in a good set of ear plugs for next time. Good ear plugs (not the foam ones) block out background noise and give you greater clarity of music. It's like those in-ear ear plugs that block out the sound of the street and let you use a lower volume on your iPod.

If your ear ringing does not go away, or it keeps coming back, then I recommend you read around this site for help on how to make tinnitus go away and assistance with reducing your symptoms and increasing the quality of your life. Good luck, and please educate your friends about protecting hearing. You only get one set of ears to last you for a lifetime so don't abuse them.

Chronic Tinnitus Sufferer Finds A Natural, Scientifically Proven Way To Cure Tinnitus Without Coping Mechanisms or Background Noise, And Finally Reveals The Incredibly Easy Steps You Could Already Be Taking To Eliminate Tinnitus and Keep It Away Forever - Click Here.

Thursday 1 September 2011

Tinnitus After Facelift - Are They Connected?

Can you really get tinnitus after a facelift? If so, why, and what can you do about it?

Doctors still do not yet fully understand tinnitus and how it manifests and this is one reason why there is still no drug cure for it. However, they do understand a little about why it happens. For one, you need some hearing loss. But, interestingly, it also has something to do with the blood flow in the region of the head which is why jaw and sinus problems can cause it.

This is probably why you have tinnitus symptoms after a facelift. A facelift looks like relatively simply surgery - cut, lift, move and stitch. But the region of the face has many blood vessels and nerve endings and surgery in this area is never simple. It could well be that your tinnitus symptoms are a result of your surgery. Even if a facelift were reversed, it is likely that the damage has already been done.

The good news is that there are many things that you can do to help your tinnitus go away and several of them are listed on this site. Please feel free to look around and find out more. The major things are your diet, your lifestyle and your environment. Even small reductions in symptoms can make a radical difference to your sense of well-being.

Chronic Tinnitus Sufferer Finds A Natural, Scientifically Proven Way To Cure Tinnitus Without Coping Mechanisms or Background Noise, And Finally Reveals The Incredibly Easy Steps You Could Already Be Taking To Eliminate Tinnitus and Keep It Away Forever - Click Here.

Ringing In The Ears And Fatigue - Are They Connected?

Are ringing in the ears and fatigue connected? Does being extremely tired or fatigued lead to the symptoms of the condition known as tinnitus?

Yes, this is quite possible. But it is not as simple as simply being fatigued. There is much else to consider.

First of all, if you are fatigued due to physical activity, your increased symptoms could have something to do with the increased blood flow around the region of your head. The reason for this is because doctors know that tinnitus has a lot to do with this part of the body. For example, those with sinus problems or jaw disorders such as TMJ will often also suffer from ringing in the ears symptoms.

On the other hand, if when you say you are fatigued you mean that you are actually stressed and therefore worn out, then this is also heavily implicated in tinnitus for two reasons. First, stress can actually increase the intensity of tinnitus. Secondly, stress can make you notice your symptoms much more too.

Tinnitus also has many other causes. Although it requires some measure of hearing loss in 99% of sufferers, there are several co-factors also involved in aggravating it and fatigue is just one of them. Then there is your diet. By addressing each of these co-factors in your life, you can reduce or even potentially eliminate your tinnitus.

Chronic Tinnitus Sufferer Finds A Natural, Scientifically Proven Way To Cure Tinnitus Without Coping Mechanisms or Background Noise, And Finally Reveals The Incredibly Easy Steps You Could Already Be Taking To Eliminate Tinnitus and Keep It Away Forever - Click Here.