Live data from Hacker News

An FDA approved device offers a new treatment for tinnitus

npr.org

131–140 of 184 posts

Re: An FDA approved device offers a new treatment for tinnitus

#131
post #26

I have tinnitus only when I think about it. The rest of the time my brain just ignores it.

I feel the same way - I forget I have it until I read about it, then i can hear it again (unless I've had too much salt or caffeine or something)

What I was told: salt, caffeine, alcohol, and stress.

(I check sodium on the Nutrition Facts of packaged food (it's usually high), don't touch even decaf, don't touch alcohol, and try to minimize the bad kind of stress that has no constructive solutions.)

Re: An FDA approved device offers a new treatment for tinnitus

#132
post #74

I've had a mental visualization I've used to control tinnitus flares for about 20 years now - i.e., "biofeedback". I image the entire soundscape (what I'm possible of hearing) as a long, thin line which is warbling a bit, as I'm hearing things right now -- like the line in an oscilloscope. The present tinnitus represents itself as a sharp spike in this visualization, the location dependent upon its texture (sharp pin…

Interesting, I've done something similar for headaches. I imagine the pain as a sort of toy in a claw machine and then try to extract the pain with the claw. Like you said it doesn't always work but surprised it has ever worked.

From this perspective, techniques such as Reiki are not that surprising, they may be methods of more effectively exploiting this mind-body connection: all of these techniques usually have in common some sort of visualization, and learning to associate certain colors/signs/symbols with desired effects. (Although the fact that it seems to have effects even when the practitioner differs from the recipient means there's probably more to it than just that.)

Re: An FDA approved device offers a new treatment for tinnitus

#133
I have tinnitus and count myself as extremely lucky that it doesn't bother me. My hearing is very poor and that does bother me, but there isn't any apparent fix other than a hearing aid. I'm only 49! By the time I am 70, I'll almost certainly be deaf except for the tinnitus.

Re: An FDA approved device offers a new treatment for tinnitus

#134

I have had several audiologists begin their speech of “as you may know tinnitus is from damage to the ear due to loud … “, well mine is from Covid. I read about a study a few years ago that focused on shocking the tongue and its nice someone followed up on it. They described one year of relief post treatment. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201015173126.h... Bimodal neuromodulation combining sound and t…

anecdote for anyone else reading about Covid related tinnitus - I've had hearing damage related tinnitus for a decade. Got Covid in April '22 which caused my existing tinnitus to 2-3x in severity, lasting a couple months before it either reverted to baseline or I got used to the new normal. Very scary experience. The CEO of Texas Roadhouse famously committed suicide due in part to severe post-Covid tinnitus.

For anyone struggling to cope with Tinnitus out there, one thing that has helped me immensely is Zen meditation. Doesn't make it go away, but builds up a control over attention with which you can cope much better.

Re: An FDA approved device offers a new treatment for tinnitus

#135
post #74

I've had a mental visualization I've used to control tinnitus flares for about 20 years now - i.e., "biofeedback". I image the entire soundscape (what I'm possible of hearing) as a long, thin line which is warbling a bit, as I'm hearing things right now -- like the line in an oscilloscope. The present tinnitus represents itself as a sharp spike in this visualization, the location dependent upon its texture (sharp pin…

In a way, this is similar to many meditative techniques.

Re: An FDA approved device offers a new treatment for tinnitus

#136

I have had several audiologists begin their speech of “as you may know tinnitus is from damage to the ear due to loud … “, well mine is from Covid. I read about a study a few years ago that focused on shocking the tongue and its nice someone followed up on it. They described one year of relief post treatment. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201015173126.h... Bimodal neuromodulation combining sound and t…

I also had it before but the 3rd vaccine shot amplified it maybe 3-5x for a few months, it was like a siren when trying to sleep, thank god it back to its normal level which I forget about most of the time.

Re: An FDA approved device offers a new treatment for tinnitus

#138

My case is classic: hearing damage at one particular frequency (from one stupid event). Apparently, the neurons got bored, and decided to create their own input at that frequency. As others gave said, you get used to it and rarely notice it. I suppose that is more difficult if it's not just constant noise.

Ah, how we'd all benefit from a life rewind button...

Re: An FDA approved device offers a new treatment for tinnitus

#139
post #4

> It includes a plastic mouthpiece with stainless steel electrodes that electrically stimulate the tongue. All I can picture is the device John Lithgow uses in Buckaroo Banzai. I might need to try this soon. I've had tinnitus for about 6 months after a cold. Last week, the doctor said my hearing is perfect and to just wait it out. It's frustrating.

I've read if it doesn't go away after a couple weeks it's permanent but I've experienced it before where it took a year maybe one time and another time was 6 months of no improvement and then a couple months of dramatic improvement to where what was left was so much lower that when I heard it it makes me grateful and happy because it reminds me of how lucky I am.

Re: An FDA approved device offers a new treatment for tinnitus

#140
post #74

I've had a mental visualization I've used to control tinnitus flares for about 20 years now - i.e., "biofeedback". I image the entire soundscape (what I'm possible of hearing) as a long, thin line which is warbling a bit, as I'm hearing things right now -- like the line in an oscilloscope. The present tinnitus represents itself as a sharp spike in this visualization, the location dependent upon its texture (sharp pin…

My tinnitus seems to be worse when my blood pressure is less controlled.

If that isn't just a figment of my imagination, a possible mechanism for your technique is that you are relaxing (or so).

Post reply on HN