TREATMENT OF YOUR LONELY STRUGGLE - TINNITUS

Every one of us likes to hear music. But have you ever imagined what happens if unwanted music continuously irritates our ears!!!

Yes, this condition exists in real. It is called ‘Tinnitus.’ In this condition, the patient suffers from continuous ringing, buzzing, clicking, roaring, or humming noise in one or both ears. Tinnitus is a symptom that suggests an underlying illness.

Around 740 million people around the world (14% of the total population) suffer from tinnitus.

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Around 740 million people around the world (14% of the total population) suffer from tinnitus.

Counselling & History taking

To know about symptoms & origin of the disease.

Audiological test/ Hearing test

To determine level of tinnitus & to diagnose hearing loss

Other diagnostic test

1) CT or MRI (to determine structural problems in brain & ear) 2) Blood test (to evaluate other illness like Autoimmune inner ear disease, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, heart disease or hypertension)

MYTH: – The biggest myth about tinnitus is that it is not curable

FACT: – Recent advances in medical science can cure tinnitus.

DIFFERENT TREATMENTS OF TINNITUS BY CURING THE UNDERLYING CAUSE

1)Accumulation of earwax:- It occurs due to chronic cold or poor hygiene
Your doctor will clean it out by suction and give a gentle flush of warm water.
2)Infections
Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics & hydrocortisone eardrops.

3) Pathologies like Tumour of the ear or brain, cyst or otosclerosis
In these cases, surgical removal of the cause is required.
[Otosclerosis: – Deposition of calcium in ear bone. It is seen in younger ages]

4) Tympanic membrane perforation (hole in eardrum) In most cases, it heals on its own. Only prophylactic antibiotic coverage is required.

In severe cases, Tympanoplasty is done. Here, the hole is repaired with the patient’s tissue patches)

Cauterization is also done to burn the fibrous part present around the perforation.

5) Myoclonus tinnitus: – occurs due to overactivity of muscle Muscle relaxation exercises and yoga are very useful.

6) Vascular/ pulsatile tinnitus: – occurs due to underlying heart disease A healthy lifestyle & treatment of heart disease is required.

7) Meniere’s disease: – It is a condition of the inner ear that causes a sudden attack of vertigo.

Your doctor will treat your disease which must be followed by a healthy lifestyle.

In some cases, no underlying illness is responsible for tinnitus. During this situation, your doctor will follow other treatment modalities.

PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF TINNITUS

[A] Systemic medications

Low doses of the anti-anxiety drug (alprazolam, Valium) or anti-depressant drug (Elavil)

In some cases, the hormonal drug – misoprostol also gives relief in tinnitus

[B] Local medications

Intratympanic injections are very effective. They also decrease the risk of side effects

Intratympanic steroidal injections (Dexamethasone is used: – it relieves pain and gives an anti-inflammatory effect)

Intratympanic PRP injections (Platelet-rich plasma: – It is a regenerative factor so it repairs tissue and nerve and improves middle ear & inner ear function)

The best result can be achieved by the combination of

Anti-anxiety drug – alprazolam + topical intratympanic steroidal injections Lidocaine: – earlier it was used in all tinnitus patients. But due to its side effects, nowadays we use it in very few patients. https://journals.sagepub.com
/doi/pdf/10.1177/01455
6139607500806

DIET TO CURE TINNITUS

FOOD TO EAT

Drink plenty of water
Eat fruits like
Frozen bananas (rich in potassium) Watermelon (rich in Vitamin C, A, B6, B1)
Kiwi & pineapple (rich in vitamin C)
Avocados (rich in vitamin A)
Grilled chicken (rich in vitamin B12)
Omega 3 rich food like
almond, walnut, and chia seeds
salmon, flax seeds, kidney beans, etc
Taurine-rich food like, Beef, chicken, turkey, pork, tuna, etc

FOOD TO AVOID

Extra spicy & extra salty food
They contain more sodium chloride
Food high in LDL & triglyceride
Refined sugar & artificial sweetener
Processed & pre-packaged food
They contain MSG (Monosodium glutamate)
Avoid alcohol
Quit smoking
Avoid nicotine

Follow the mandarins’ diet which includes,
No saturated fats & cholesterol,
High in fibre (includes grain, vegetables & fruits)

SUPPLEMENTS USED IN TINNITUS

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID: – to decrease inflammation & pain

VIT B12:- It enhances nerve health

VIT B2, B3, C: – Sometimes deficiency of these vitamins can cause tinnitus

TAURINE: – It is one type of amino acid. It plays a vital role in hearing. Recent studies suggest that taurine can completely cure tinnitus. It can also reverse hearing loss.

SOUND MASKING THERAPY FOR TINNITUS

The human brain can focus only on one thing at a time. It always focuses on the pleasurable thing. Applying this theory, sound masking therapy is performed in tinnitus patients.
Here very low-pitched, relaxing & pleasurable sounds (white noise, low-pitched instrumental music, or ocean waves noise) are used to mask the sound of tinnitus. So, the patient can focus less on tinnitus.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0079612307660427

TINNITUS RETRAINING THERAPY

It is based on the neuromodulation principle.

TINNITUS MATCHING

In this, we first identify the frequency & amplitude of sound which the patient is hearing.

After tinnitus matching, sound (with the same amplitude & frequency) is given to the patient from outside. (Twice a day) This treatment takes 12-24 months but it is highly successful. Research suggests that by this method we can cure tinnitus. Consistency & regularity matters a lot for a successful result.

DEVICES USED FOR SOUND MASKING & TRT

SPEAKERS OR HEADPHONES

Mostly used while sleeping

Easy to use & economical

MOBILE APPLICATIONS featuring Sound masking therapy & TRT

Patient can use it where ever they go.

Easy to use & economical

HEARING AIDS featiring sound masking therapy & TRT

Specialy made for individual patient

Expensive

Invisible or slightely visible

HEARING AIDS FOR TINNITUS

TINNITUS RETRAINING THERAPY

They are advised to the patient of tinnitus along with hearing loss.

These aids work in two stages

It enhances the outside environment sounds. So, the patient can listen to the required outside voice in good quality. Thus, the tinnitus sound automatically gets masked.

It has a Tinnitus feature inbuilt for [A] Sound masking therapy (inbuilt low-pitched white noise) [B] Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (inbuilt sound with the same amplitude & frequency as the patient’s tinnitus sound.)

Types of hearing aids

IIC (Invisible in canal): – They are completely invisible from the outside.

CIC (Completely in the canal): – They are slightly visible from the outside.

PSYCHOLOGICAL & COGNITIVE THERAPY FOR TINNITUS

It is one type of counselling. Here psychologists train the patient to modify their reaction towards tinnitus. It gives the best result when combined with other treatment modalities. (like medication, TRT or sound masking.)

ACUPRESSURE & PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR TINNITUS

The patient’s testimonial says that acupressure can give only temporary relief. Tinnitus relapses after quitting acupressure therapy. But it decreases the intensity of tinnitus

LOW-LEVEL LASER THERAPY

It is mostly used in the old age group.
This laser stimulates mitochondria to produce more energy.
It leads to the repair of damaged tissue & cells return to their healthy state.
It reverses hearing loss & cures tinnitus.
So, share your symptoms & experiences with your doctor and follow the treatment which works best for you.

ACUPRESSURE & PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR TINNITUS