Is there any relief from severe tinnitus?
I am a 41 yr old who has had mild tinnitus for 25 years but in the last few months is has become very bad in one ear and I am also suffering from hyperacusis in that ear. I have seen my GP and am waiting to see an ENT specialist but wondered if there is any way to relieve the tinnitus which is becoming quite distressing.
Medications that are well accepted in treatment of Tinnitus
* Lorazepam or klonazepam (in low doses). These are “benzodiazepines”, mainly used for anxiety (Gananca et al, 2002; Dobie, 2003)
* Amitriptyline or nortriptyline (again in low doses). These are “tricyclic antidepressants”.
Comment. Benzodiazepines and tricyclics probably mainly change emotional responses to tinnitus. Any sort of relief, however, is important.
We have also had some patients get relief from other antidepressants including the SSRI family.
The anticonvulsants such as mysoline may affect some patients who have tinnitus due to 8th nerve irritation. Mysoline contains phenobarbital, which is sedating.
The effect of local anesthetics on tinnitus was discovered serendipitously by Barany in 1935. Otsuka et al (2003) recently reported administration of Lidocaine to 117 ears over a 24 year period. The method was intravenous infusion, of between 80 and 100 mg. They report a transient (several minutes) response in about 70% of treated ears. As responses are nearly always very temporary, lidocaine does not have a role as a treatment of tinnitus. The mechanism appears to be central (Baguley et al, 2005). According to Dobie (1999), the related drugs tocainamide, mexilitine and flecainamide have not been shown superior to placebo.
Drugs in which it is uncertain whether they are effective
* Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
* Campral (author of this page is not sure — might be a placebo)
* Flunarizine (not available in US)
* Caroverine (not available in US, IV medication)
* Eperisone (not available in US).
Atorvastatin (Lipitor). A recent trial in older people showed that atorvastatin had no effect on the rate of hearing deterioration but there was a trend toward improvement in tinnitus scores over several years.
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Medications that are well accepted in treatment of Tinnitus
* Lorazepam or klonazepam (in low doses). These are "benzodiazepines", mainly used for anxiety (Gananca et al, 2002; Dobie, 2003)
* Amitriptyline or nortriptyline (again in low doses). These are "tricyclic antidepressants".
Comment. Benzodiazepines and tricyclics probably mainly change emotional responses to tinnitus. Any sort of relief, however, is important.
We have also had some patients get relief from other antidepressants including the SSRI family.
The anticonvulsants such as mysoline may affect some patients who have tinnitus due to 8th nerve irritation. Mysoline contains phenobarbital, which is sedating.
The effect of local anesthetics on tinnitus was discovered serendipitously by Barany in 1935. Otsuka et al (2003) recently reported administration of Lidocaine to 117 ears over a 24 year period. The method was intravenous infusion, of between 80 and 100 mg. They report a transient (several minutes) response in about 70% of treated ears. As responses are nearly always very temporary, lidocaine does not have a role as a treatment of tinnitus. The mechanism appears to be central (Baguley et al, 2005). According to Dobie (1999), the related drugs tocainamide, mexilitine and flecainamide have not been shown superior to placebo.
Drugs in which it is uncertain whether they are effective
* Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
* Campral (author of this page is not sure — might be a placebo)
* Flunarizine (not available in US)
* Caroverine (not available in US, IV medication)
* Eperisone (not available in US).
Atorvastatin (Lipitor). A recent trial in older people showed that atorvastatin had no effect on the rate of hearing deterioration but there was a trend toward improvement in tinnitus scores over several years.
References :
http://www.kevinhogan.com/FAQ.htm
Maybe the R.N.I.D. could come up with help since many deaf people suffer from tinnitus.
References :
You have my sympathy.
I get mild bouts of tinnitus now and again and find that bad enough never mind severe bouts. I usually end up putting cotton wool in the ear affected which helps a bit.
Hope you eventually get the relief you seek.
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Not really my G.P,,,,just gave me the tinnitus addresss in Sheffield,,,,Which can be found on your P,C,,i find electric components start mine off Then i go into anothrer room and turn off all electrics,,,, I find if you sit and think what it was like before you had this complaint,,,happier times it helps,,but if you sit and listen to the sounds,,,,,,it seems to make them worse,,,,,,GOOd Luck Though in you quest,,,,,
References :
Unfortunately, the answer is -no.
Try to avoid totally silent environments, also extremely noisy places make it worse.
At home play low volume music, or put the radio on, this
distracts from the distressing noise you hear.
I know its no consolation, but many, many people have this problem, including Barbra Streissand, Good Luck
References :
I am an alternative medicinal therapist and an ex nurse and i can tell you that i have patients with this problem and I use Ear Candling and it does work, you may also have a problem with the muscles in the neck this also cause tinnitus.
Go and see a therapist who does ear candling, massage and acupressure
gloriashealth@btinternet.com
References :