Tinnitus Treatment

[mitsubishi]

Got a mad buzzing in my lugs and it's not going away!

Is there anyone else suffering from tinnitus? I haven't been listening to loud noises recently but have been in noisy environments previously.

Can anyone recommend a good doctor / specialist in Bangkok?

[culicine]

How long have you had it? I got tinnitus after what I think was a virus - had a severe headache for 24 hours that resolved quickly. Was in the bathroom one day and the ringing started....several years down the track still have it. I didn't bother to see a doctor, as there is nothing that can be done about it, unless there is a miracle cure that I'm not aware of. Hopefully yours is a temporary condition and it will resolve itself. Perhaps someone else can recommend a hearing specialist.

[crazygreg44]

have Tinnitus for 33 + years. The best you can do is let it happen, ignore it, then it will eventually go away.

As far as today, no remedies have proved to help 100%. I had given it a lot of consideration, and by enough time it crystallized that it could result from clogged or crimped veins that weaken blood circulation inside the Cochlea and the inner ear apparatus. I have changed my lifestyle as far as eating less salt, avoid cholesterine loaden products. I eat garlic which is said to cleanse and widen the blood vessels. It seemed to have helped a bit but it has not completely dissapeared.

High level noise like that of a vacuum cleaner or the hiss of a train can start a wave of Tinnitus in myself. Then my only choice is to wait it out to cease, just don't mind it and go about my business and it wll go away for sure.

Don't let it drive you mad, never waste a ' negative' thought on it. Accept it as part of your life, and it will happen less often.

Although I must admit that it sometimes took me hours until i finally got to sleep.

I never take any medication and it has become much better since my lifestyle is more healthy and backbone relaxed.

IMHO Tinnitus is a stress factor related, combined with a weak blood & serum flow inside the ear organ apparatus.

Don't listen to people who claim Tinnitus could be the result of micro frequency radiowaves of today's phone network. I suffered from Tinnitus long before the rise of the internet and smartphones. However, this does not mean I would like to live or sleep anywhere near one of those large transformers mounted on poles throughout Thailand, nor in the close vicinity of broadcasting towers.

[mitsubishi]

How long have you had it? I got tinnitus after what I think was a virus - had a severe headache for 24 hours that resolved quickly. Was in the bathroom one day and the ringing started....several years down the track still have it. I didn't bother to see a doctor, as there is nothing that can be done about it, unless there is a miracle cure that I'm not aware of. Hopefully yours is a temporary condition and it will resolve itself. Perhaps someone else can recommend a hearing specialist.

I've had it for about six months now but today it just got about 3 times louder!

Before I didn't mind it too much as it was background static, this level is horrible.

[culicine]

How long have you had it? I got tinnitus after what I think was a virus - had a severe headache for 24 hours that resolved quickly. Was in the bathroom one day and the ringing started....several years down the track still have it. I didn't bother to see a doctor, as there is nothing that can be done about it, unless there is a miracle cure that I'm not aware of. Hopefully yours is a temporary condition and it will resolve itself. Perhaps someone else can recommend a hearing specialist.

I've had it for about six months now but today it just got about 3 times louder!

Before I didn't mind it too much as it was background static, this level is horrible.

As the nature of the tinnitus has changed, then I'd be inclined to get it checked out.

Like Crazygreg suggested, try to ignore it. The more you focus on it, the more annoying it gets. If you do a bit of research n the net, you might find some more info about causes and ways to minimise it - diet, etc

Here is an article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110112122504.htm that suggests tinnitus is produced by the brain.

I found you can use some sound maskers. Try this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfIfBPkH8Fo

Listen to it all with headphones. At the end the tinnitus will have abated, but unfortunately it comes back quickly. My understanding is that the 'music' is replacing the sounds made by the brain, so the tinnitus abates. But when the music stops, the tinnitus comes back. Interesting.

[Sheryl]

Indeed most of the time medicine doesn't have much to offer for this condition. See these threads - you have lost of company!

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/246357-tinnitus/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/116180-tinnitus-treatment/

Also this is a good overview

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tinnitus/DS00365/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

While more often than not, no cause is found, sometimes there are treatable causes so if you have never had it worked up may be worth trying. Suggest this doctor:

http://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Saowaros-Patarapak

[Pormax]

I replied to a similar topic a few months ago.

As a trained audiological technician, Army and NHS who spent 3 years working with a very famous ENT Consultant (admittedly a few years ago) trying to find ways to limit the stess levels that very acute tinnitus sufferers have to bear. I can assure you that there is no treatment that will make the tinnitus disappear. Even now there are a lot of thoughts as to what causes this problem but as yet no concrete proof. It is normally but not every time, linked with damage to the hair cells in the cochlea (inner ear) Until a definite cause is found then one cannot find a treatment.

The only help available for really acute sufferers, that is those whose tinnitus levels are so bad they often feel like committing suicide, is some sort of masking device. These help to an extent but as the range of the frequency of the tinnitus and the type of sounds heard is so wide in individuals, it is limited. There are many suggestions made such as reduced fluid intake but in my years of seeing people who have this complaint nothing helped substantially.Over the 3 years research with the consultant we tried so many things but had very little success. Some individuals said the tinnitus level was lower than before but we were not convinced of this, thinking that because they were talking to those that understood the problem and were trying to do something about it. then it made them feel better. There is of course no way to record tinnitus so one cannot prove if any teatment/suggestions work. It is totally subjective.

If you have a hearing test it would not surprise me if the higher range of frequencies (3Khz and above) are well below normal. There is one particular hearing problem called Menier's disease which effects the lower range of frequencies and with this comes low frequency tinnitus. The majority of tinnitis sufferers complain of a high frequency noise. As the years go on it is the high frequencies of ones hearing that fails and of course if you are, or have been, exposed to high level of sounds for a long period of time, this will only make things worse.

I sympathise with any one who has a constant sound in the head.

The only thing I can suggest is to either have the TV or radio on all the time. Silent surroundings will make the tinnitus feel worse.

[Tolley]

One of the problems with this condition is that it could be caused by many different factors.

I had tinnitus once after taking a particular antibiotic that i was allergic to and it drove me crazy for a couple of days.

Luckily after discontinuing the antibiotics it went away.

Panadol, certain antibiotics, medications even sugar consumption have been implicated in a cause of tinnitus.

I wouldnt give up looking for a cure neither would i resign myself to living with it.

Some people have had good results with acupuncture.

[canuckamuck]

You have to just ignore it, like crowd noise when you are trying to talk. Hopefully some breakthrough is coming our way soon.

[txp158]

The best thing you can do is to visit your local doctor so that he/she could rule out significant abnormality within your body, be it tumor, stroke, viral infection etc. If the cause of tinnitus is due to degenerative change or psychosomatic disorder then not much can be done about it.

Meniere is typically characterized by 3 symptoms aka a classic triad which are tinnitus and hearing loss and vertigo. The disease is diagnosed clinically, not through lab or imaging studies. Both of which are performed to rule out other significant disorders.

[AyG]

psychosomatic disorder then not much can be done about it.

Uh. No.

[txp158]

psychosomatic disorder then not much can be done about it.

Uh. No.

Do you suggest otherwise? Other than Valium or Haloperidol?

[AyG]

psychosomatic disorder then not much can be done about it.

Uh. No.

Do you suggest otherwise? Other than Valium or Haloperidol?

The problem was the word "psychosomatic" meaning, basically, "all in the mind". Just the wrong choice of word.

[txp158]

psychosomatic disorder then not much can be done about it.

Uh. No.

Do you suggest otherwise? Other than Valium or Haloperidol?

The problem was the word "psychosomatic" meaning, basically, "all in the mind". Just the wrong choice of word.

If a person hears noises that nobody else could hear without definite or identifiable physiologic or anatomic abnormality, psychosomatic cause will always be included the differential diagnosis. I'm not saying that it's the most common cause, but that it's very difficult to be ruled it out.

If you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable must be the truth.

[Ned]

It's only a problem if you listen to it. Strategies for not listening to it too much took me years......but it's just another thing that you have no choice but to live with.

[retiredat50]

I had a not so loud noise for a long time. Went to a doctor and he tested me for allergies as he thought the tubes going up to my ears might be blocked. I was found to be very alergic to dust mites. Went on loratadin for a while and the noise stopped. What I was also told is that your body has all kinds of things going on that your mind blocks out. However if you focus on something then you will start to notice it more. I am sure now if I tried hard enough in a quiet room I could hear noises.

[AyG]

If a person hears noises that nobody else could hear without definite or identifiable physiologic or anatomic abnormality, psychosomatic cause will always be included the differential diagnosis. I'm not saying that it's the most common cause, but that it's very difficult to be ruled it out.

Oh, come off it. You're just twisting your words now. If you really meant psychosomatic, why would you write "psychosomatic disorder then not much can be done about it". If it is indeed psychosomatic, then counselling or psychotherapy could help. Just man up and admit you made a mistake.

[txp158]

If a person hears noises that nobody else could hear without definite or identifiable physiologic or anatomic abnormality, psychosomatic cause will always be included the differential diagnosis. I'm not saying that it's the most common cause, but that it's very difficult to be ruled it out.

Oh, come off it. You're just twisting your words now. If you really meant psychosomatic, why would you write "psychosomatic disorder then not much can be done about it". If it is indeed psychosomatic, then counselling or psychotherapy could help. Just man up and admit you made a mistake.

Fine, you were right, I made a mistake. Are you happy now?

[Utley]

Bangkok Hospital has an excellent hearing center that I strongly recommend, Had tests there for tinnitus as requested by the U,S, Veterans Administration,

[dotpoom]

I'v had it for 47 years now, got it from firing rifles while I was in the army, since then the soldiers were issued with ear muffs, myself and many ex soldiers took the Dept. of Defense to court years later and we won our case for compensation.....they told me then there was nothing could be done about it and anything I'v read about it since has said the same thing. In the early years it used to drive me crazy at night time especially when everything was quite, then the sound (like a station off tune on a radio) seemed very loud. In the daytime it was less noticeable as they were other noises around almost drowning it out. I would leave on a radio or TV in order to get to sleep. To this day I find it very hard to hear people talking if there is any background noise like talking or music as in restaurants. But I have it for so long now that I have learned to ignore it. It was only when I read the OP that it became noticeable to me again.

I do hope you can manage to do the same if no help is available.....it will get easier to live with so try to bear that in mind. Good Luck.

[RickFarang]

The O/P wrote "Got a mad buzzing in my lugs and it's not going away!"

If, indeed it is in your lungs and not in your ears, then its not tinnitus. Probably a visit to any good general practice physician will get you a proper diagnosis and guidance on solving the problem.

If it is tinnitus, and it is stress related, then Hydroxizine Hydrochloride may help a lot (It helps me). It is sold over-the-counter under names like Dormirax Ucerax, and Hydroxim among others. Most pharmacies carry it and it is pretty inexpensive at about 2 baht per 25 mg tablet at the mom-and-pop places, but its good to discuss this with a general practitioner or ENT because he might have a better treatment based on his diagnosis of the cause.

By the way, I asked two doctors whether they could help my tinnitus and they both smiled and said "You are getting old." and did nothing. I had to approach one of them with a potential solution before he would help.

An additional ray of hope: Hyperbaric treatments have give some relief.

Edited December 24, 2013 by RickFarang

[laobali]

Bangkok Hospital has an excellent hearing center that I strongly recommend, Had tests there for tinnitus as requested by the U,S, Veterans Administration,

If it's recent, then a good idea to get it checked out, as it can be treatable in some cases e.g. ear wax removal.

[Anon999]

Bangkok Hospital they have a Professor and Assistant Professor in the audiology department. They also speak good English.

[Anon999]

The O/P wrote "Got a mad buzzing in my lugs and it's not going away!"

If, indeed it is in your lungs and not in your ears, then its not tinnitus. Probably a visit to any good general practice physician will get you a proper diagnosis and guidance on solving the problem.

If it is tinnitus, and it is stress related, then Hydroxizine Hydrochloride may help a lot (It helps me). It is sold over-the-counter under names like Dormirax Ucerax, and Hydroxim among others. Most pharmacies carry it and it is pretty inexpensive at about 2 baht per 25 mg tablet at the mom-and-pop places, but its good to discuss this with a general practitioner or ENT because he might have a better treatment based on his diagnosis of the cause.

By the way, I asked two doctors whether they could help my tinnitus and they both smiled and said "You are getting old." and did nothing. I had to approach one of them with a potential solution before he would help.

An additional ray of hope: Hyperbaric treatments have give some relief.

"Lugs" is short for Lugholes an English (UK) slang word for ears!

Edited December 24, 2013 by Anon999

[Costas2008]

I am confused....

Has Mitsubishi got a buzzing in his "lugs" or ears?

I googled lugs and that's what came out.

verb (lugs, lugging, lugged)

[with object and adverbial of direction]

carry or drag (a heavy or bulky object) with great effort:

she began to lug her suitcase down the stairs

be encumbered with:

he had lugged his poor wife round for so long

noun

a box or crate used for transporting fruit:

a truck piled high with wooden lugs of grapes.

Can somebody explain?

Sorry Annon.....just missed your posting.....Many Thanks

Edited December 24, 2013 by Costas2008

[Bantex]

Try hitting your thumb hard with a hammer - it won't cure your tinnitus but I can guarantee you won't have it on your mind for a while.

[Suradit69]

How long have you had it? I got tinnitus after what I think was a virus - had a severe headache for 24 hours that resolved quickly. Was in the bathroom one day and the ringing started....several years down the track still have it. I didn't bother to see a doctor, as there is nothing that can be done about it, unless there is a miracle cure that I'm not aware of. Hopefully yours is a temporary condition and it will resolve itself. Perhaps someone else can recommend a hearing specialist.

I've had it for about six months now but today it just got about 3 times louder!

Before I didn't mind it too much as it was background static, this level is horrible.

I have had tinnitus for several years. Saw a doctor who said there was nothing to be done. I notice it's far worse if I've been taking Celebrex or other meds that are aimed at pain relief.

Try hitting your thumb hard with a hammer - it won't cure your tinnitus but I can guarantee you won't have it on your mind for a while.

Or even some less painful distraction.

I'm usually not aware of the ringing ... until I am aware of it and then it's hard to ignore ... until something else distracts my attention.

Edited December 24, 2013 by Suradit69

[avocadowangnamkeouw]

I find relief using Merislon, which contains betahistine, it's a cheap over the counter anti vertigo drug, it improves

blood circulation in the inner-ear.

Good luck

[fittobethaied]

Mitsubishi, the same thing happened to me just six months after arriving in Thailand for retirement. I've since discovered that if I take NSAIDS for pain (Ibuprophen, Diclofenac Sodium and Naproxen in particular) then the tinnitus ratchets up substantially. About the same time I developed an intolerance for caffeine of all types. I used to drink 6-8 cups a day as well as caffeinated soft drinks and caffeinated tea. I have had to give caffeine up completely. From time to time I will try to sneak in a cup of coffee to see in the allergy is still there, and the tinnitus will come back immediately. Excess stress and a lack of deep rem sleep can bring on a bout of the tinnitus. The final thing, at least in my case, is the MSG that is put in most of the food here in Thailand. If you eat out you must tell the waitress to tell the cook "no MSG in my food...I will have an allergic reaction and I may die in your restaurant". Most of them will still put it in the food, but at least you are trying your best to limit your intake. MSG is also found in most of the sauces that are used in Thai cooking, so if you are eating a lot of home cooking then make sure your cook is checking the labels on the sauces from the grocery and buy the ones with no MSG.

Edited December 24, 2013 by fittobethaied

[Frank James]

I've had tinnitus since birth, or at least from very early childhood. I was surprised to learn, at about age 18, that this is not a normal condition for everyone. I have looked into possible cures over the years, but the general medical consensus is, there is no cure. Years of working in construction have done a job on my hearing as well.

We leave bits and pieces of ourselves all along life's trail.