| A Brief Look At Differing Tinnitus Treatment | | | | Cochlear Implants: A cochlear implant is a device |
| Methods | | | | that sends electrical sound from the ear to the |
| Because tinnitus can be a symptom of an | | | | brain. An electrode is threaded into the cochlea |
| underlying medical condition, individuals should | | | | (spiral-shaped cavity of the inner ear) and a |
| undergo a full examination by a certified ear | | | | receiver is implanted just beneath the skin behind |
| specialist. Individuals should also have a complete | | | | the ear. Because electrode implantation destroys |
| medical examination. Special attention should be | | | | any remaining healthy hair cells, cochlear implants |
| given to blood pressure, kidney function, drug | | | | are only prescribed to deaf or near-deaf patients. |
| intake, diet, and allergies, as these factors are | | | | Tinnitus Maskers: |
| sometimes associated with tinnitus. | | | | A non-medical option used to reduce or "mask" |
| Currently, there is no single treatment for tinnitus. | | | | unwanted noise. Tinnitus maskers are worn like a |
| Tinnitus treatment generally involves a | | | | hearing aid to produce a neutral white sound. Over |
| multi-disciplinary approach and includes a variety of | | | | 60% of patients with severe tinnitus report relief. |
| symptom management methods. | | | | A newer device is a tinnitus instrument, which is a |
| Conventional Drug Therapy: | | | | combination hearing aid and masker. This device |
| While many drugs have been researched and | | | | teaches the brain how to ignore tinnitus noise. |
| used to relieve tinnitus, there is no drug specifically | | | | Individuals must be tested and fitted for the |
| designed for tinnitus treatment. For people with | | | | tinnitus instrument. |
| chronic tinnitus, drug treatments may offer some | | | | Hearing Aids: |
| success. Drugs that have been studied and used | | | | Some tinnitus patients with hearing loss |
| to treat tinnitus include anti-anxiety, | | | | experience total or partial tinnitus relief while |
| antidepressants, antihistamines, anticonvulsants | | | | wearing hearing aids. Amplification from the |
| and anesthetics. While many people have been | | | | hearing aid allows the aid wearer to hear |
| successful in better managing their tinnitus | | | | background sounds, which takes away from the |
| symptoms, drug therapy can have serious side | | | | focus on the tinnitus noise. |
| effects. | | | | Biofeedback: This relaxation technique has a |
| Alternative Treatments: | | | | 25-year history of successful treatment for pain |
| Many people have experienced tinnitus relief from | | | | and stress-related disorders. Biofeedback teaches |
| the use of herbal preparations, homeopathic | | | | people how to control certain body functions |
| remedies, and vitamin and mineral regimens. | | | | including pulse, muscle tension and skin |
| Others have benefited from acupuncture, | | | | temperature. The goal when using biofeedback |
| cranio-sacral therapy, magnets, hyperbaric | | | | for tinnitus treatment, is to decrease stress and |
| oxygen, or hypnosis. Some individuals find | | | | anxiety levels that may be contributing to tinnitus. |
| massage therapy and energy-work, such as reiki, | | | | Biofeedback tinnitus therapy may require weekly |
| to be beneficial treatments for tinnitus. Although | | | | sessions over several months before |
| some individuals have reported a mild allergic | | | | improvement is noticed. However, up to 80% of |
| reaction to herbal preparations, most alternative | | | | patients find some relief of their tinnitus |
| treatments carry very little risk. | | | | symptoms and 20% have reported total relief. |