I’m a corporate pilot, flying all manner of turbine equipment for 44+ years. I have tinnitus best described as rather high frequency white noise (or is that pink noise?)
I don’t sense a loss of sensitivity. The tinnitus simply masks its frequencies making the spoken word a bit more difficult to understand, diction being the big problem area. I hear whispered words, just can’t understand them. Ss, Fs, THs, SHs and even Ks sound the same to me as do Ps, Ts, Ds, etc. Women’s voices worse for me than men’s. Closed captions are the rule for most TV. I don’t even bother to go to movie theatres anymore.
Women’s and children’s voices tougher for me than men’s. Guess that’s logical. Perhaps that is why my wife told me I don’t listen to her. At least I think that’s what she said! 🤣
I have read several articles on the subject and the treatment most often talked about as having a small (in terms of percentage of folks reporting improvement) but measurable results is the therapy that determines the offending frequencies, then treatments of white noise minus those frequencies.
I’m interested in learning more about this Foobar idea.
Jeff
I don’t sense a loss of sensitivity. The tinnitus simply masks its frequencies making the spoken word a bit more difficult to understand, diction being the big problem area. I hear whispered words, just can’t understand them. Ss, Fs, THs, SHs and even Ks sound the same to me as do Ps, Ts, Ds, etc. Women’s voices worse for me than men’s. Closed captions are the rule for most TV. I don’t even bother to go to movie theatres anymore.
Women’s and children’s voices tougher for me than men’s. Guess that’s logical. Perhaps that is why my wife told me I don’t listen to her. At least I think that’s what she said! 🤣
I have read several articles on the subject and the treatment most often talked about as having a small (in terms of percentage of folks reporting improvement) but measurable results is the therapy that determines the offending frequencies, then treatments of white noise minus those frequencies.
I’m interested in learning more about this Foobar idea.
Jeff
This article will fill you in on the differential diagnosis of tinnitus and if masking is likely to work.
A recent study supports seeing if tinnitus is in discrete bands and then stimulating that frequency band:
The masker that most frequently coincided with a reduction in tinnitus was a combination of informational masking (with spatial cues) and energetic masking (sound energy at tinnitus pitch).
Using Foobar allows iterative sweeps to very accurately identify precise tinnitus bands. Its possible this could be more precise and perhaps more effective than even a research protocol that is inevitably time limited with difficulties with retesting and iterative self evaluation.
An artificial prothesis for hair cell stereo cilia is beyond even a dream. Those pictures of hair cells are done with a scanning electron microscope because they are so tiny. Stereo cilia have a diameter less than a wavelength of light.
The miniature size is an insurmountable hurdle. But even worse is that the cilia are highly specialised according to location and frequency. The height and attachment flexibility is bespoke. It's all like a miracle. Try engineering that.
So the smart research looked at the developmental growth process of the stereocilia and aimed to regenerate them with specific growth factors injected through the ear drum. To be blunt, the treatment was an abject failure.
Wow, amazing. Sounds akin to brain cell synapses. This reminds me of an episode on a media broadcast(60 Min.?), where they showcased an infant of less than a year old who by some stupid accident got literally the top half of their thumb from the last joint up, cut off! No nail bed left. They sprinkled human growth hormone on it, bandaged it up, and 6 weeks later on an update(condensed), took off the bandage as we looked on. Unreal, you could see a new thumb tip emerging out of the stump, nail already formed. It grew out perfectly as if nothing ever happened. The human lizard. 🙂
Okay, so just to update. I honestly don't understand why this exercise is not being given more attention. The effect I'm experiencing is constant and definitely positive. I cannot speak to any other causative factors except my own. I've identified the offending frequencies and nuked them, so to speak, however being very careful not to turn volume up. You only need to hear it and let er rip(as loud as what's comfortable), ime. Maybe about 7 min. per session per day.
I'm by no means advising anybody here. This is what I've done so far with this tone generator. I've had progressive tinnitus for the past 15 years. I'm now 66 years old. I've been abusing my ears with very loud stereo gear for the past 40 years. My hearing falls off at around 11,500hz. I've never joined or been involved with AA or any other 12 step addiction program. 🙂 I've been cutting back and listen to music much less frequently as my disability has progressed. Having confessed, this remedy is constant even after listening to my usual spl level. And this is what affirms the efficacy of this exercise...for me.
Sooo, if you have similar circumstances, you may consider putting it to the test.
Again very carefully keeping the volume down.
I'm by no means advising anybody here. This is what I've done so far with this tone generator. I've had progressive tinnitus for the past 15 years. I'm now 66 years old. I've been abusing my ears with very loud stereo gear for the past 40 years. My hearing falls off at around 11,500hz. I've never joined or been involved with AA or any other 12 step addiction program. 🙂 I've been cutting back and listen to music much less frequently as my disability has progressed. Having confessed, this remedy is constant even after listening to my usual spl level. And this is what affirms the efficacy of this exercise...for me.
Sooo, if you have similar circumstances, you may consider putting it to the test.
Again very carefully keeping the volume down.
Disco-Pete,
So let me get this straight. You listen with earphones to the same Hz and same volume as your tinnitus for 7 min at a time a day. You don't have any other tones or other noise in the earphones for that time. It lessens your tinnitus for how long and for how much? If you miss a day, what happens?
I was going to try it once with my speakers. My frequency is around 7264Hz. I was in my upstairs bedroom with the door closed. My daughter downstairs on the other side of the house yelled up instantly and said, "I don't know what you are doing, but please turn that damn noise down!" That's how loud mine is!
So let me get this straight. You listen with earphones to the same Hz and same volume as your tinnitus for 7 min at a time a day. You don't have any other tones or other noise in the earphones for that time. It lessens your tinnitus for how long and for how much? If you miss a day, what happens?
I was going to try it once with my speakers. My frequency is around 7264Hz. I was in my upstairs bedroom with the door closed. My daughter downstairs on the other side of the house yelled up instantly and said, "I don't know what you are doing, but please turn that damn noise down!" That's how loud mine is!
Yes, earphones. No other tones. I have not missed a day for about a week now, since a couple days before I responded to this thread #429. It has helped very significantly. Please read all of the posts here. If I use my Mac laptop without earphones, it's not as loud for others as you describe. I cannot advise or recommend this to you. If it has to be turned up as you describe I would first seek advice from a professional audiologist. Or perhaps have someone in your household with no hearing issues set the volume for you.
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That is interesting. A bit flummoxed that two anecdotes for treatment are diametrically opposed in practice; one treating with sound minus the offending frequency (frequencies) and the other treating with ONLY the offending frequencies.
But I’m game. Any reduction at all will be warmly welcomed.
Jeff
But I’m game. Any reduction at all will be warmly welcomed.
Jeff
I don't see how eliminating the frequency can help since that will obviously cause you to focus even more on it. So would you wear a filter at all times? Weird. Maybe long term would have a positive result? I don't see it. Tinnitus is phantom noise.
Its not just anecdotes. Its two diametrically opposed treatment hypothesis that have been researched. Both may help. They may work on different neural systems.
Tinnitus is clearly a multifactorial condition. What works for one subtype might make another worse. The research is limited at this stage. Better differential diagnosis and sub-typing would be a good start.
Most of us have two ears. One on the left and one on the right of the head. They will usually test differently when searching for tinnitus bands.
As mentioned, it's best to test your ears individually. Then use headphones, so you can target the ears specifically if you are taking the direct energetic masking approach.
For safety, set the volume using a sweep tone in your most sensitive range, eg 2-4kHz setting volume to a not loud level.
I do use just the earbuds. I was responding to jaxboy about the laptop/open air. However I've noticed the offending frequency is the condition in my left ear but I hear it also in the right. Testing them separately reveals this. And treating the left affects the right also. Interesting.
The article I read suggested tinnitus was a neurological issue, not associated with the mechanics of the ear. It reported measurable but limited success with overwhelming the brain neurons that process sound (that have been overworked at the offending frequencies) with everything but those frequencies. Repeated sessions of this therapy reportedly eliminated or greatly reduced symptoms in many, not all, patients. It has been a while since I saw that article, but I do remember it mentioning the theory involved an electrochemical issue amidst the neurons and that this therapy had some science backed data to explain how it might work.
Jeff
So I have had it as long as I can remember from age 4 years old and on. I have had multiple tubes in my ears over the years. I got my right ear reconstruction of my ear drum 14 years go with a snap in tube. (meaning it’s held into my ear drum with 2 plastic snap rings). It’s still there. I got my left one done over a year ago. So each time you get tubes in your ears it scares up your ear drums and can damage them over time. So I just had surgery 2 weeks ago. I got both of my deviated septum fixed in each nose. I got reduce Cartlidge build up in my nose cavity’s. Then I got my stationary tubes crushed open so my ears can drain after 46 years of dealing with tubes. It’s been a ride I wish for no one. Dealing with a lot of pain over the years but, am a veteran in this field of pain so I can pretty much handle it.👍. So I also forgot to mention. I was out for 6 to 7 hours for the reconstruction of my right ear drum and they had to slice off my ear lobe. Yes it’s back on but, the numbing process for healing took over 5 years to get to normal. 🤷🏻♂️. I’m a trooper and a fighter and I can understand about the ringing in the ears (tinnitus). I also have a lot of off balance days and days of light headed and spinning. Sometimes the ringing gets so loud in both ears I can’t hear anything? It’s funny when my ears ring I say hello but, no one answers? 😂 🤣. I also take meds to help me get through and not wanting to bash my head in head. We’ll I feel bad for anyone that has the constant ringing in the ears that never stops. Life has its challenges but, bless god I’m a climber.
Here’s a brief explanation of the “notched spectrum” therapy.
Neuromodulation therapy uses the principle of neuroplasticity — the capacity of the human brain to change with the environment by forging new connections and deactivating older, less useful ones. It tries to train the brain’s auditory processing centers to tune out your tinnitus at the source.
Particularly interesting are the specially-designed types of sound therapy used. ‘Notched’ music treatment can take a patient’s favorite pieces of music and digitally process them to remove frequencies at and around the pitch of the patient’s tinnitus. The jury’s still out, but early studies have again shown positive results in the long term.
Neuromodulation therapy uses the principle of neuroplasticity — the capacity of the human brain to change with the environment by forging new connections and deactivating older, less useful ones. It tries to train the brain’s auditory processing centers to tune out your tinnitus at the source.
Particularly interesting are the specially-designed types of sound therapy used. ‘Notched’ music treatment can take a patient’s favorite pieces of music and digitally process them to remove frequencies at and around the pitch of the patient’s tinnitus. The jury’s still out, but early studies have again shown positive results in the long term.
Not had the time to read every post. But my parents both had this problem. We tried all kinds of treatment.
Finally when my daughter visited she was able to trace the source of the sound. It was a faulty UPS. That was making the sound. Hence my only tip is to try and make sure that the sound is not external. Many people report that the sound goes away when they visit remote hill stations. Some find the source closer to home. Im not sure what kind of gear would help you. But I now use an app called spectrum analyser. It picks up any sound any freq and shows it.
I have found various places have different sound signatures. If I get some time I will try and share two screen shots one of the freq analyser graph at our ground floor and one in our penthouse. Where far less traffic and external sounds are picked up.
Finally when my daughter visited she was able to trace the source of the sound. It was a faulty UPS. That was making the sound. Hence my only tip is to try and make sure that the sound is not external. Many people report that the sound goes away when they visit remote hill stations. Some find the source closer to home. Im not sure what kind of gear would help you. But I now use an app called spectrum analyser. It picks up any sound any freq and shows it.
I have found various places have different sound signatures. If I get some time I will try and share two screen shots one of the freq analyser graph at our ground floor and one in our penthouse. Where far less traffic and external sounds are picked up.
I agree. So I heard a loud 60hz ringing noise in my kitchen 4 years ago. I thought it was the light fixture? No I had to put my ear to the walls and floor. I found it coming through the kitchen floor from an old fluorescent light that had a bad ballast. I replaced the 3 bad lights in the basement and the sound was gone. Very good idea to check? Could be in the house. I have surge protectors that filter out the 60hz humming on my appliances and tv and internet connection. Also on all the bedrooms. It can drive a person nuts. Cheaper then a whole house surge protector and noise suppression unit.
Wow I never know this? I will ask my hearing doctor next time I see him in April? Again I always learn something new. Thanks for the info.👍.
From about 12 years in the left and from 2 years in the right. No remedy because the cause is not known. Like Hell....
I know both ears for 42 years. Ya I was told the same thing. They say the ringing is the hairs in your internal ear canal past your ear drum that picks up sound. (I hope am wording this right?Am not a doctor and it’s been awhile senc. I was last explained this to me). The ringing is that one of those hairs (nerves that’s dieing and not able to shock or anything to bring them back to life?). My dad woke up one day to find out his right ear went completely dead during the night. It had to do with a type of ear infection that was a bacterial disease that kills the ear and hearing? I forgot what it’s called? At least he’s ringing in that ear stopped. He has ringing in his left ear due to working at a print shop for almost 40 years. He wore hearing protection but, the damage was done. I wear hearing protection all the time now with machines. Am trying to keep what so have left. I thought by now they would have a solution or a surgery that would fix this never ending ring in my ears?
a) mobile radiation
b) Headphones (EMF of the capsules)
c) metals in the mouth (teeth)
d) dead teeth
e) Jaw position
f) further poisoning, e.g. soldering metal
...