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Treatment for Tinnitus with Stimulation of Auditory and Non-Auditory Nerves

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Re: Treatment for Tinnitus with Stimulation of Auditory and Non-Auditory Nerves

#11

Post by paraph1n »

colpabar wrote: post #9
paraph1n wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

(genuine question) How is there a clear path from tinnitus to depression?

I have tinnitus and I can see it too. Tinnitus is a constant ringing in one or both ears. Constant, as in it is always there. There is no true silence anymore, because the ringing is always there. There is also no cure, and really no certified treatment. All we can do is distract ourselves with other sounds and try not to focus on it, but it can still be very mentally draining. Without the right mindset, it’s an extr…

Interesting... I have a lot of trouble understanding this (as someone who does not have tinnitus). For most things that are permanent, we adapt to the new baseline and, well, "get used to it".

ie. "Oh, that ringing? Yeah, it's been there for years, I barely notice it anymore."

I wonder what it is about tinnitus that makes it hard to adapt to (or filter out) for some people.

Re: Treatment for Tinnitus with Stimulation of Auditory and Non-Auditory Nerves

#12

Post by dazc »

paraph1n wrote: post #7
johnnylambada wrote: post #2

I have tinnitus in both ears. Most of the time I’m not aware of it but at times it’s very annoying. I’m very careful to not let my thoughts about it become dark because I can see a very clear path toward depression about it. I do hope there is a cure on the horizon.

(genuine question) How is there a clear path from tinnitus to depression?

The way I describe tinnitus and its effect on my mental state is that we all have a tolerance limit for noise and I am constantly on the extreme edge of that limit.

This doesn't necessarily directly cause depression but, for me, it does make me anxious a lot of the time since I am always on my guard for the next annoyance.

Re: Treatment for Tinnitus with Stimulation of Auditory and Non-Auditory Nerves

#13

Post by bobsmooth »

paraph1n wrote: post #11
colpabar wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have tinnitus and I can see it too. Tinnitus is a constant ringing in one or both ears. Constant, as in it is always there. There is no true silence anymore, because the ringing is always there. There is also no cure, and really no certified treatment. All we can do is distract ourselves with other sounds and try not to focus on it, but it can still be very mentally draining. Without the right mindset, it’s an extr…

Interesting... I have a lot of trouble understanding this (as someone who does not have tinnitus). For most things that are permanent, we adapt to the new baseline and, well, "get used to it". ie. "Oh, that ringing? Yeah, it's been there for years, I barely notice it anymore." I wonder what it is about tinnitus that makes it hard to adapt to (or filter out) for some people.

Play this at high volume, try to get through the whole thing. See if you can tune it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNxFWFuaaRY

Re: Treatment for Tinnitus with Stimulation of Auditory and Non-Auditory Nerves

#15

Post by bryans »

Tinnitus is usually only described as a high-pitched ringing, but I think it gets far worse when it's on the lower end of the frequency spectrum. It's much more noticeable and can make discerning speech very difficult at times. But while the higher frequencies can be somewhat easily tuned out using white noise (like a fan), the lower frequencies are just always there, even when you're listening to music -- there is a weird "warble" to everything, and it's often not easy to tell whether it's the tinnitus or the bassist holding out a note or the last syllable of a word in the vocal.

As a musician and amateur sound engineer, the higher tinnitus was fairly manageable, but developing the lower tinnitus was pretty devastating and has largely ruined my ability to hear and mix properly. I've needed to read lips for several years now, as a double-check against what I'm hearing. Phone calls are very difficult, but the increase in video calling has helped.

Don't be me. Take care of your ears. Also, remember that noise-cancelling is NOT hearing protection. Buy some musician-quality earplugs (you still hear everything, it's just quieter) and have them with you at all times. Use them even when you think it makes you look dorky at the club or concert or sporting event. It's not worth the psychological torture that is tinnitus, I assure you.

Re: Treatment for Tinnitus with Stimulation of Auditory and Non-Auditory Nerves

#16

Post by jader201 »

Not sure why I click into comment threads on HN about tinnitus, hoping for positive news or anecdotes, but it’s almost always the opposite.

So I’ll share my positive anecdote.

I’ve dealt with it for over 10 years, and while I can’t imagine how happy I would be to find an effective treatment, I’ve learned to cope, and do what I can to protect hearing going forward.

And once you realize you can cope with it, it makes future coping easier. I have bad days, but by knowing they’re just bad days and that I have mostly good days helps the bad days also not so bad.

Try to focus on the other good parts/distractions about life.

Hope that helps someone.

Re: Treatment for Tinnitus with Stimulation of Auditory and Non-Auditory Nerves

#17

Post by thangalin »

paraph1n wrote: post #7
johnnylambada wrote: post #2

I have tinnitus in both ears. Most of the time I’m not aware of it but at times it’s very annoying. I’m very careful to not let my thoughts about it become dark because I can see a very clear path toward depression about it. I do hope there is a cure on the horizon.

(genuine question) How is there a clear path from tinnitus to depression?

Watch this video on 1/4 volume for 1 minute, loud enough to be heard, but soft enough that your favourite song played at a normal volume can mostly drown it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSD2DAgaRys

Imagine this noise. Every. Waking. Moment. Repeat that minute 1,440 times. For some, the sound is loud enough to smother conversations; for others, a different frequency, or perhaps more a locomotive roar, or constant crash of ocean waves as though holding a seashell to one's ear.

Imagine trying to fall asleep when night has shushed the ambient sounds of city hubbub, leaving only the ceaseless onslaught of tinnitus for your own private enjoyment.

Re: Treatment for Tinnitus with Stimulation of Auditory and Non-Auditory Nerves

#19

Post by jcims »

paraph1n wrote: post #11
colpabar wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have tinnitus and I can see it too. Tinnitus is a constant ringing in one or both ears. Constant, as in it is always there. There is no true silence anymore, because the ringing is always there. There is also no cure, and really no certified treatment. All we can do is distract ourselves with other sounds and try not to focus on it, but it can still be very mentally draining. Without the right mindset, it’s an extr…

Interesting... I have a lot of trouble understanding this (as someone who does not have tinnitus). For most things that are permanent, we adapt to the new baseline and, well, "get used to it". ie. "Oh, that ringing? Yeah, it's been there for years, I barely notice it anymore." I wonder what it is about tinnitus that makes it hard to adapt to (or filter out) for some people.

It’s one of those things that i think you need to experience to understand. I had it for about four months and I couldn’t get used to it, at all. It’s not just ‘there’, it messes with how you hear and is a constant active intrusion into your peace of mind.

Re: Treatment for Tinnitus with Stimulation of Auditory and Non-Auditory Nerves

#20

Post by traspler »

I am currently participating in a study using tEAS (transcranial electrical and auditory stimulation) for tinnitus. Can‘t say much about if it works or not especially as the study was redesigned and will contain less treatment, so I‘m not too optimistic. (Background: 10y tinnitus without any known cause, was coping very will for the last 8y, had a terrible last 2y but I am starting to get over it again so in general I am hopeful about my future at least)

But as this is HN I wanted to share a technical detail: The device used for the stimulation is pretty new and, as all medical devices are, pricey. It is connected to a laptop through USB-C but not only for data, it‘s completely powered through it. Sounds neat, right. But what happens if either by accident or not knowing any better you unplug the cable? Then it dumps all the stored charge through the electrodes into whoever has them on their scalp at the moment. It‘s VERY uncomfortable and I am shocked (hahaha) that a device like this has such a failure mode and that this is even allowed.

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