Hi Barry,
I have an appointment with ENT doctor… again. I go and find one about every 4-5 years hoping there’s something for my problem. Hopefully there’s something new out there.
In 2005 I was told there is NOTHING any doctor can do so just learn to live with it!
So now I have done the hearing tests and I do not have any hearing loss. I’m thinking this is good, right?
I was told by another doctor after he almost strangled me that “you have weak canals” I was told there was a pill to take but it doesn’t take the buzzing/ringing away? Really? Why bother?! Then in 2015 after another test, I was told me that “you can’t have different loss in just one ear.”
I’m just about to give up totally, have one more appt this week… If I wear noise cancelling headphones I still have the noise but it’s a wee bit softer. But I can’t sleep well with them on.
Please help,
Debbie M.
Dear Debbie,
The American Tinnitus Association has been trying for years to stop ENTs from saying, “There’s nothing we can do and you should learn to live with it”. That is simply not true and it only shows this doctor is not familiar with tinnitus treatments. While there is no known cure for tinnitus, there are many therapies that are helpful for reducing the sound level and anxiety caused by tinnitus.
Therapies such as hypnosis and biofeedback are very helpful in lowering tinnitus. A proper diet can also reduce it. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness training are endorsed by many tinnitus specialists as effective for reducing tinnitus. You can read about these therapies in our Tinnitus Library .
You mentioned a test in which you were told, “You can’t have a different loss in just one ear”. You certainly can and this indicates you have some hearing loss in one ear. Hearing loss is the primary cause to tinnitus and occurs in about 80% of patients.
Arches Tinnitus Formula has been shown in numerous clinical trials to reduce tinnitus loudness for most people who use it. It is especially helpful for those who have tinnitus due to hearing loss and/or noise exposure. It can also be helpful for those who have tinnitus due to toxic medications. One prominent Manhattan ENT says he has a 75-80% success rate with these patients using Arches Tinnitus Formula.
It takes three months to get the full benefit so we recommend Arches Tinnitus Starter Kit, a full three-month supply of four bottles. You can purchase each bottle separately but the Starter Kit offers a significant price discount and you don’t have to worry about running out during the critical three-month period.
Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate
Hello Barry,
Is melatonin bad for tinnitus?
Thanks,
Toni M.
Dear Toni,
Melatonin is not bad for tinnitus; in fact it has a positive effect on people with tinnitus who also have a hard time getting to sleep.
Melatonin is a human hormone that is responsible, among other things, for promoting a good night’s sleep. Clinical studies have shown nearly 50% of tinnitus patients with insomnia improved after taking melatonin.
It is also a powerful antioxidant and reduces cochlear damage produced by ototoxic medications. It protects against hearing loss from aminoglycoside antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs that normally cause hearing loss and tinnitus.
Melatonin production is reduced in older people, who may need more. It is also inhibited by light, especially blue light that predominates electronic screens. Blue light is most prevalent in TV screens, laptops, tablets and phones. Sleep experts advise people to turn these devices off at least an hour before bedtime so it doesn’t degrade melatonin produced in the body.
Please read our article on the benefits of melatonin for people with tinnitus.
Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate
Hi Barry,
I am currently seeking compensation from the VA because of my hearing loss and tinnitus during the Vietnam era. They have rejected my claim because I had a stapedectomy in 1986. The research I have done indicates that a stapedectomy tends to remediate tinnitus. Please share thoughts.
Thank you,
Tom B.
Dear Tom,
Otosclerosis can cause hearing loss and tinnitus. Stapedectomy, the surgery for otosclerosis, typically reduces tinnitus significantly. It may be that you also have hearing loss-induced tinnitus due to sensorineural hearing loss.
Otosclerosis causes conductive hearing loss due to poor conduction of the bones in the middle ear. Sensorineural hearing loss is nerve damage to the hearing cells in the inner ear. These are two very different hearing loss conditions and it is possible to have both.
I recommend consulting with an ENT to determine that root cause of your tinnitus. A hearing test will typically show the difference between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. If it is sensorineural, you can take that finding back to the VA to pursue your case.
Wishing you quiet times,
Barry Keate