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Fox
USA
496 Posts |
 Posted - 06/10/2004 : 12:39:28
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| I just saw a TRT trained audiologist for my tinnitus in Greensboro,NC. Was very impressed. This is the stuff from the www.tinnitus.org web site. Was surprised that the physical was emphasized as much as the psychological. Will be using masking techniques. If anyone has any questions, I'll be glad to answer them here on the board. But I will be gone for several days. |
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EileenTM
92 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2004 : 15:16:18
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| I am interested in your info on tinnitus. I have had it for about 2 years. It is my only remaining symptom except for some occasional sciatic pain. I notice that it tends to occur with my sciatica and at times when I am stressed and tired. I have almost grown used to it. But I would like to have it go away completely. I have not posted on this board for about 6 months. The new format is rather interesting. |
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Fox
USA
496 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2004 : 15:07:01
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| I also have tinnitus plus sciatica. For me, I generally have one or the other rather than both at the same time....Let me know what specific questions you have regarding my tinnitus clinic visit. Read the website that I mentioned....I'll try to tell you in general what happened --- Spent about 2-3 hours there. I had already filled out a lot of questionnaires which asked about physical and emotional stuff. I received a lecture by the TRT trained audilogist (also there were 2 students) as to what TRT training was. Most of the info I already knew from reading the website... I had hearing tests which showed minor hearing loss in both ears. (I only have tinnitus in the left ear.) I also had a nerve wracking test which ruled out oversensitivity to sound (which I thought I had, but it turns out I do not have). I had a test to show what level of white noise it takes to mask out the ringing....The conclusion was that I had hearing damage from years of rock concerts and nightclubs which made me a candidate for tinnitus. I was told that there was a strong emotional overlay -- how you interpret the sounds -- which to some folks would be no problem -- but to others cause a sense of annoyance and even panic and hopelessness.....Frankly, I think the audiologist underestimated the importance of the emotional component and of conditioning (I expect certain sounds to trigger the ringing and, of course, they do.) In fact, the website , if I am remembering right, attributed the problem totally to the mind versus hearing loss. I'm sure that Sarno would feel the same...I was told to buy a sound machine to leave on while I am sleeping, to leave the radio or TV on all the time, not to avoid (or wear ear plugs around) loud sounds unless they are very loud -- such as leaf blowers or rock concerts, and to avoid silence. If this doesn't work (I have a follow up appointment in August), I can buy a little sound producing device for $600 that will fit in my ear that will mask out the ringing that I must wear 8 hours a day. This actually is supposed to straighten out the little hairs (cilia?)in my ear that have damaged by my history of exposure to loud noise...Vast improvement is expected to take 1 to 2 years of involvement in this program of masking and behavioral change....OH...Also suggested was vitamin B, C, and zinc and more sleep (I only average 5-6 hours a night), avoidance of nicotine and alcohol, and plenty of exercise (I'm okay with my 1 and a half hours a day). |
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EileenTM
92 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2004 : 16:33:51
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| Thanks for all the info. When I had my hearing tested, turns out I have no hearing loss. In fact my hearing is very keen, in the top 10% of all age groups. (I am 53). In my family, no one ever wears hearing aids. My parents are both in mid 70s and my grandfather lived til 97 without one. My Dad though does get tinniuts from time to time. I am inclined to accept the emotional cause. Plus I took all those vitamins for awhile and did not notice a difference. As to the sleep, I sleep about 7 hours per night, but it is not good quality sleep since I started into menopause. Maybe that is part of it. I will check out that website. Also plan to keep working on the psychological factors. When all this started I realized that I had as Dr. Sopher referred to in his book "an enormous warehouse of stress." I had just not let myself feel all the anger and sorrow associated with this stuff. |
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Tinnitus/TRT
