25 Jun Sarasota Chiropractor has high success with Tinnitus, facts, theories & treatment.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a ringing, swishing, or other type of noise that seems to originate in the ear or head. In many cases it is not a serious problem, but rather a nuisance that can eventually resolve.
It is not a single disease, but a symptom of an underlying condition. Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from this disorder. In almost all cases, only the patient can hear the noise.
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus can arise in any of the following areas: the outer ear, the middle ear, the inner ear, or by abnormailities in the brain. Some tinnitus or head noise is normal. If one goes into a sound proof booth and normal outside noise is diminished, one becomes aware of these normal sounds. We are usually not aware of these normal body sounds, because outside noise masks them. Anything, such as wax or a foreign body in the external ear, that blocks these background sounds will cause us to be more aware of our own head sounds. Fluid, infection, or disease of the middle ear bones or ear drum (tympanic membrane) can also cause tinnitus. In my office I gernally see chronic tinnitus caused by swelling in the inner ear caused by poor drainage of lymphatics. The NeuroCranial Restructuring you see in some of my online testimonials on You Tube are generally helped in as little as 3-4 visits! .
One of the most common causes of tinnitus is damage to the microscopic endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear. Advancing age is generally accompanied by a certain amount of hearing nerve impairment, and consequently tinnitus. Today, loud noise exposure is a very common cause of tinnitus, and it often damages hearing as well. Unfortunately, many people are unconcerned about the harmful effects of excessively loud noise, firearms, and high intensity music. Some medications (for example, aspirin) and other diseases of the inner ear (Meniere’s syndrome) can cause tinnitus. Tinnitus can in very rare situations be a symptom of such serious problems as an aneurysm or a brain tumor (acoustic tumor).
How is tinnitus evaluated?
A medical history, physical examination, and a series of special tests can help determine precisely where the tinnitus is originating. It is helpful for the doctor to know if the tinnitus is constant, intermittent or pulsating (synchronous with the heart beat), or is it associated with hearing loss or loss of balance (vertigo). All patients with persisting unexplained tinnitus need a hearing test (audiogram check up). Audiologists provide professional and personalized services by evaluating and treating hearing, balance, and tinnitus disorders. Based on the diagnosis and severity of tinnitus they can also provide proper medication or hearing aids. There are several medical centers like the NSU Audiology Clinic and USF Audiology Clinic in Florida that offer solutions to tinnitus. Similarly, people from other countries can take help of similar types of medical centers in their localities for treating tinnitus. For example, people who are from United Kingdom could avail assistance of professionals from north london audiology clinics like Nathan Gluck Hearing Care. They are generally known to operate with a team of audiologists who have the experience to deal with a variety of treatments for different hearing disorders.
Other tests, such as the auditory brain stem response (ABR), a computerized test of the hearing nerves and brain pathways, computer tomography scan (CT scan) or, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan) may be needed to rule out a tumor occurring on the hearing or balance nerve. These tumors are rare, but they can cause tinnitus.
What is the treatment of tinnitus?
After a careful evaluation, your doctor may find an identifiable cause and be able to treat or make recommendations to treat the tinnitus. Once you have had a thorough evaluation, an essential part of treatment is your own understanding of the tinnitus (what has caused it, and your options for treatment).
Not including our office, many doctors have no specific treatment for tinnitus. It may be a permanent disability that the patient will have to “live with.” Some otolaryngologists have recommended niacin to treat tinnitus. However, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that niacin helps reduce tinnitus, and it may cause problems with skin flushing. More fluid in a space called the endometrium, which is usually higher in Potassium, can sometimes be helped with supplementing Potassium. A sodium restricted diet is recommended for any tinnitus sufferers. Sometime a ketogenic diet can help as well. This is a Atkins like diet of very high protein. Avoiding caffeine can also help. In our office we have had good success with cranial manipulations for tinnitus.
Can tinnitus be prevented?
Do not place objects in your ear such as cotton swabs (Q-tips) to clean your ear. This can cause a wax impaction against your eardrum which can cause tinnitus. Take blood pressure medicines and other prescribed medications as they are ordered by your doctor.
According to the American Tinnitus Association there are several things you can do to protect yourself from excessive noise related tinnitus:
* Protect your hearing at work. Your work place should follow Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Wear ear plugs or earmuffs and follow hearing conservation guidelines set by your employer.
* When around any noise that bothers your ears (a concert, sporting event, hunting) wear hearing protection or reduce noise levels.
* Even everyday noises, such as blow drying your hair or using a lawnmower, can require protection. Keep ear plugs or earmuffs handy for these activities.
Is there anything to do to lessen intensity of the tinnitus?
It is important to realize that the hearing system is one of the most delicate and sensitive mechanisms in the body. Since it is a part of the general nervous system, it is sensitive, to some degree, by anything that affects the overall health of the individual (both physical and psychological). Therefore, in order to lessen the intensity of tinnitus, it is advisable to make every effort to:
* Avoid exposure to loud sounds and noises.
* Control blood pressure.
* Decrease salt intake.
* Avoid nerve stimulants such as coffee and colas (caffeine) and tobacco (nicotine).
* Reduce anxiety.
* Try to stop worrying about the tinnitus. Often, the more you worry and concentrate on the noise, the louder it will become.
* Get adequate rest and avoid fatigue.
* Exercise.
* Utilize masking noise. Tinnitus is usually more bothersome when the surroundings are quiet, especially when you are in bed. A competing sound such as a ticking clock, a radio, a fan or white noise machine may help mask tinnitus. Small hearing aid like devices which generate a competitive sound may help reduce the awareness of the tinnitus.
* Biofeedback may help or diminish tinnitus in some patients.
* Avoid aspirin or aspirin products in large quantities.
I hope this has been helpful. Please call my office for a consultation.
John Lieurance, D.C.
Functional Neurology
Sarasota, florida
941 330-8553
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