Dear Barry,
One of my many doctors thinks the cause of my tinnitus is anxiety and is treating it with Ativan and Seroquel to promote sleep. Are these the right meds? If not what meds might help? When the sound progresses, I get headaches and it is difficult to sleep and to stay in one place. What solutions are there if any?
Thanks for your help.
Jim
Dear Jim,
Your tinnitus may very well be aggravated by anxiety. Stress and worry (anxiety) are often a cause of increased tinnitus. I don’t think they actually cause tinnitus but, if you already have it, stress will definitely make it worse.
Consult with your doctor, but literature indicates that long term or regular use of Ativan can cause dependence. Ativan (lorazepam) is a benzodiazepine tranquilizer. These drugs are highly addicting and breaking the addiction can be very difficult.
Seroquel (quetiapine) comes with many issues as well. It is also a powerful drug. There have been over 10,000 lawsuits against the manufacturer for problems caused by this medication.
GABA is an inexpensive supplement that can be purchased in health food stores. It is a natural tranquilizer and slows the brain thereby helping to reduce tinnitus. L-Tryptophan, another inexpensive supplement, builds up serotonin in the brain and fights depression. Neither of these should be taken while on the medications as there could be interactions. However, when you’re off the medications, these supplements should be very helpful.
Regular exercise is also helpful as is hypnotherapy, acupuncture and biofeedback. All of these are therapeutic for tinnitus with no side effects. Arches Tinnitus Formulas should also be helpful in lowering the sound level.
Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate
Dear Barry,
How do you stop music in your ear? Ever since I had ear surgery in 2007, it becomes extremely loud at bed time. In the daytime I drown it out by turning up the television.
Thanks,
Larry H.
Dear Larry,
Musical Ear Syndrome is a very interesting subject. Many people enjoy it and it does not indicate any psychological problem. Others find it annoying and distracting. The theory is that when a person’s world becomes too quiet, the brain manufactures its own sound. The occurrence of Musical Ear Syndrome is very high among the hearing impaired.
Solutions can be the use of a hearing aid to amplify outside sounds. In this case the brain will stop manufacturing its own. You can also begin using Arches Tinnitus Formula, which has been shown in clinical trials to help restore some degree of lost hearing in the hearing impaired.
Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate
Dear Barry,
Four years ago I had hernia surgery under a general anesthetic. The surgery was successful but a side effect was a dramatic increase in my tinnitus (when indirectly lead me to your website and products). I spoke to the surgeon and anesthesiologist, neither one could explain the reason for the increase.
The tinnitus over a period of many months decreased to where it was tolerable. But after the surgery I was sensitive to loud noises and wore earplugs in church for the music. Now I am looking at surgery again, and the doctor wants me to stop the Arches Tinnitus Formula two weeks before the procedure, as ginkgo can act as a blood thinner. Have you heard of this condition before and do you have suggestions to minimize my distress after surgery?
Tom B.
Dear Tom,
Increased tinnitus after a general anesthetic is a common problem. I think it is important for those of us who have tinnitus to specifically ask our surgeons about the potential for any drug to cause tinnitus.
A while back, I had a routine endoscopy, where the doctor looks down my throat, esophagus and stomach with a scope. He said he would use Propofol as the anesthetic. He said it was faster acting than the older drugs, I would wake up faster, and there were fewer side effects. I didn’t ask and, sure enough, one of the side effects was an increase in my tinnitus. It lasted for several months before returning to it’s previous level.
Recently, I had minor dental surgery. It was an out-patient procedure but one that required a general anesthetic. This time I made sure to ask the surgeon about tinnitus and he elected to give me Brevital, another drug in the same class but does not cause tinnitus. It did not increase mine. I would ask your doctor for their opinion about Brevital versus Propofol. If your doctor thinks this is not an appropriate drug for your surgery, make sure you both investigate the potential for tinnitus for any drug used. A simple Internet search by drug name will show you a list of all possible side effects.
Your doctor is correct that you should stop Arches Tinnitus Formula before surgery as ginkgo can increase circulation. I also recommend you begin taking N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) before, during and after the surgery. NAC is not a blood thinner so it is perfectly safe to use. It is a powerful antioxidant and has been shown to reduce damage to the cochlea from loud sound and ototoxic drugs. NAC is an inexpensive supplement found online or in all better health food stores. You can also start taking the Tinnitus Formula again after you’re certain all bleeding has stopped. Arches Tinnitus Formula is also a strong antioxidant and helps protect against ototoxic medications.
Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate
Barry,
Is there a benefit for tinnitus sufferers to take vitamin B12 and other B vitamins? I have heard this has helped some of them.
Thanks,
Sue C.
Dear Sue,
B vitamins in general are very good in regulating stress, energy and mood. When we are stressed-out the body uses up B vitamins. Since B vitamins are water soluble and they need to be replaced on a daily basis. However B Vitamins do not actually reduce tinnitus. But tinnitus can cause stress and stress, in turn, can worsen tinnitus. It becomes a vicious cycle. Stress is the number one agravator of tinnitus, so B’s are needed in mitigating the attendant stress that often accompanies ear ringing.
It has been shown that most people who suffer from tinnitus are deficient in B-12 and taking supplements helps them. It has recently been learned that Vitamin B-12, in the form of methylcobalamin form, protects against glutamate damage to the neurons in the auditory nerve.
We have an article on the benefits of B-Complex vitamins which could be of help to you. We created the money-saving Arches Tinnitus Combo Pack to address both ear ringing and the effects of stress due to tinnitus.
Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate
Dear Barry,
I am newly diagnosed with tinnitus and the cause has been guessed as a microscopic embolism (blood clot) following neck surgery that traveled to the ear. My tinnitus is currently distressing me and my otolarynologist has today referred me to a clinic for support. I do feel very alone however as I know of no one with this condition. Any advice or support you could give would thus be welcome.
Cordially,
Stephanie
Dear Stephanie,
There are many people with tinnitus. In the USA there are over 50 million people with the condition and 15 million per year visit their doctor seeking help. I’m sure you will meet many people with tinnitus now that you know what you have and begin learning more about it. There are now numerous tinnitus support groups and I would encourage you to do an Internet search in your area.
It may be that the microscopic embolism (blood clot) that traveled to your ear could be blocking circulation in one of the small capillaries that feed the inner ear. It seems to me that medications could dissolve this and open up the capillary in which it’s lodged. However, I’m not a doctor and perhaps medications that dissolve clots aren’t effective in small capillaries. Please visit your physician and ask that question.
I see you purchased three bottles of Arches Tinnitus Formula (ATF) recently. This may help to reduce the blockage of the clot. Ginkgo Max 26/7, the ginkgo biloba in ATF increases circulation and thins the blood, among other effects. Hopefully, this might help your ear return to its previous balance and improve circulation in the inner ear. We recommend you use it for three months, which requires four bottles.
In the meantime, diet is very important in managing tinnitus. It is most important to avoid salt, which constricts blood vessels and reduces circulation. Many people notice a reduction in tinnitus once salt is lowered. Other food items to avoid are processed sugar foods, high fat foods, especially trans-fats, nicotine, caffeine and alcohol, other than in moderation. Also avoid processed and pre-packaged foods, especially junk food. These foods are loaded with salt and flavor enhancers like MSG and aspartame, which are neurotoxic and cause or worsen tinnitus. We published an article on Diet and Tinnitus: What to eat, what to avoid.
Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate
Barry,
Are there certain foods or drinks that might aggravate tinnitus? I thought I read that orange juice might be a problem for people with tinnitus so I quit drinking orange juice a week ago and seem to notice a difference, is there a connection?
Thanks,
Bob T.
Dear Bob,
Orange juice does not cause or worsen tinnitus except as it consists of a high amount of simple sugars. These sugars metabolize almost immediately and cause a sugar rush. Researchers have found that most people who have tinnitus also have a sugar metabolism dysfunction called hyperinsulinemia, which is a reduced ability by the body to respond to insulin. When these people were placed on a diet suitable for diabetics, most of them improved over several years.
Diet certainly can and does affect tinnitus. Individuals with tinnitus should restrict themselves to a healthy diet and reduce or eliminate intake of high fat foods, simple sugars (as found in orange juice), salt, caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. I refer you to an article on Diet and Tinnitus in our Tinnitus Libray.
Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate
Dear Barry,
The ringing in my right ear started this year after some airplane trips. My right ear was stopped up and I went to an ENT. He said I had “ear” plane ears. He put me on steroids for a week and it became “unstopped,” but he said he could not do anything about the ringing.
Later it became where I could not hear out of my right ear so I went to a different ENT and he gave me a hearing test and put a hole in the ear drum that lasted about a day. I went back and he now has me using nose spray for 4 weeks and then he will give me another hearing test.
I am using the Arches combo pack. I have been on it for about 7 weeks now with no change so far. I changed to eating only vegetables, but that didn’t help.
Any advice you could give me would be appreciated.
Sam F.
Dear Sam,
I would go ahead with the nose spray and hearing test. The fact that he is giving you a nasal spray indicates he thinks you have Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) where the Eustachian tube is inflamed and plugged. This will definitely cause tinnitus and becoming unplugged will help relieve it.
We published an article on hearing loss which discusses the difference between sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss, of which ETD is a part. It also shows how an audiogram (hearing test) can show the difference between the two and discusses treatment for ETD.
Regarding your taking Arches Tinnitus Formula it can up to 12 weeks (4 bottles) to determine total efficacy, so I advise you to continue complete the recommended 100 day protocol.
Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate
Dear Barry,
I’ve just heard about an over the counter supplement called NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine). I would like to know if it is helpful for tinnitus and how it differs from the Arches Tinnitus Formula, which I am currently using with which I’ve had decent results.
Thanks,
Molly F.
Dear Molly,
I am a big fan of NAC. It is a powerful antioxidant and I take it every day.
The US Navy has done research indicating that NAC can prevent hearing loss and tinnitus if given before or immediately after noise exposure. It does not however seem to help in reducing established tinnitus. But, it is very potent in preventing hearing loss and by extension, tinnitus from worsening.
NAC is a precursor to glutathione, the body’s primary antioxidant and disease fighter. NAC protects the liver from poisoning and is given to people in emergency rooms who present with acute liver poisoning. It is a wonderful supplement and can be safely taken with Arches Tinnitus Formula.
Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate
Hi Barry,
After taking .5 mg of Clonazepam for about 2.5 years, I withdrew from it using the Ashton Method. Now I have tinnitus. Is there anything I can do? Tinnitus is a known result of getting off Clonazepam and does not necessarily resolve if the medicine is restarted, which I will not do. Please advise!
Thank you. Heather
Dear Heather,
Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine anti-anxiety medication that is extremely addicting. It potentiates the effectiveness of GABA in the brain. GABA is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter and is responsible for feelings of calm and well-being. When the brain sees there is plenty of GABA, or existing GABA is working well, it shuts down production of the neurotransmitter. Then, when withdrawal occurs, there is no GABA in the brain to counteract the excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate and the brain goes into a hyper-excitatory state. The results of this state can lead to tinnitus, anxiety, panic and many other symptoms.
We published an article on Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome and Tinnitus. Dr. Heather Ashton, a British Neurologist developed the slow withdrawal schedule from benzodiazepine medications. The slow withdrawal method is an attempt to minimize withdrawal symptoms by spreading it over a long period. Many professionals, however, feel the Ashton Method is still too fast and should be extended much longer than she prescribes.
Since you have been off Clonazepam, it’s too late to extend withdrawal. The withdrawal symptoms will pass, though I can’t say how long it will be. One helpful tactic may be to take GABA as a dietary supplement to start building it back up in the brain. GABA is inexpensive and found in most health food stores. I recommend taking 750-1,000 mg twice daily. It will take a while but this should shorten the time for recovery. GABA can act like a tranquilizer itself so be very careful driving or operating equipment until you know how it affects you.
I hope this is helpful for you.
Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate
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