Tinnitus, Deafness and Ear Problems Support Group
This group is for those coping with Tinnitus (ringing ears or ear noise), hearing loss, and all ear issues. Join to find support and get advice from others.
Shea Hearing Clinic in Tennessee offers this service.
A new treatment injecting lidocaine in the inner ear and intravenously offers eliminates or alleviates the noise that cannot be heard by others
Orlando, FL -- Severe tinnitus gives the patient a perception of sound that is not present in the environment. The causes for this disorder are many; tinnitus is characterized by a deterioration of the hair cells of the cochlea, causing an alteration in the activity of the reflex pathway from the hair cells to the auditory cortex and back. No consensus exists whether tinnitus is caused by the hair cells, auditory pathway, or the central nervous system.
A new study suggests that all three contribute to this condition. The medical researchers also have developed a new treatment injecting lidocaine in the inner ear and intravenously, that has offered significant relief to those suffering from intractable tinnitus.
The authors of the study, "Lidocaine Perfusion of the Inner Ear plus IV Lidocaine or Intractable Tinnitus," are John J. Shea, MD, and Xianxi Ge, MD, both from the Shea Ear Clinic, Memphis, TN. Their findings were presented before the American Otological Society, meeting May 13-14 in Orlando, FL.
Methodology: From December, 1994, to July, 1996, 71 ears of 68 patients with intractable tinnitus were treated by lidocaine perfusion of the inner ear and with intravenous lidocaine. Specifically, approximately 0.5 ml of hyaluronan (Amvisc(r)) containing 20 mg of lidocaine per milliliter was injected into the round window niche. The patient then remained with the operated-ear positioned up while receiving 500 mg of lidocaine intravenously for two hours. This procedure is repeated for three consecutive days; hearing and spontaneous nystagmus are tested on the second and third days.
Thirty four patients were male, thirty-four female; the age of the subjects ranged from 37 to 83 years with a mean of 59.9 years. Sixty-five patients had tinnitus in one ear; three in both ears. The duration of tinnitus for the subjects was less than one year for 15 ears, one to ten years in 30 ears, and more than 10 years in 26 ears. A detailed medical history and neurotological evaluation was conducted on each patient.
The causes for tinnitus varied. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) without an obvious cause was present in 12 ears and associated with acoustic trauma in ten ears. Other causes for the tinnitus included Meniere's disease, sudden hearing loss and congenital SNHL. The researchers divided the tinnitus into two categories: High-tone included ringing, hissing, whistling, ticking and was present in 40 of 71 ears; low-tone caused roaring, buzzing, popping, swishing, and sounds of seashore surf and wind could be found in 31 ears.
The criteria for judging the improvement was subjective, depending on feedback from the patient provided during follow-up examinations. Depending on the patient's response, improvement was characterized as complete relief (no more tinnitus), partial relief (intermittent occasionally troublesome tinnitus), and no relief (tinnitus remains the same).
Results: Key findings of the study are:
Tinnitus relief, complete or partial, was achieved in 35 of 50 (70 percent) ears in one month, in 20 of 26 (76.9 percent) ears tested at three months, and ten of 12 ears tested at one year (83.3 percent), all resulting from lidocaine perfusion of the labyrinth through the middle ear (some patients had their afflicted ears tested more than once leading to a number >71).
Tinnitus associated with Meniere's disease, positional vertigo, post-stapedectomy, and aspirin intake was present in 22 ears. Complete relief was achieved in three of 22 ears (13.6 percent), partial relief in 15 ears (68.2 percent) and no relief in four ears (18.2 percent).
Tinnitus associated with SNHL and viral labyrinthitis was present in 21 ears. Complete relief was found in two ears (9.5 percent), partial relief in eight (38.1 percent) and no relief in 11 (52.4 percent).
More relief was achieved in better hearing ears.
Conclusion: The authors suggest that lidocaine perfusion of the labyrinth through the middle ear plus intravenous lidocaine is an effective treatment for tinnitus associated with various inner ear diseases, especially those involving the hair cells.
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There is no 100% cure for tinnitus. Look at the results above.
Can it actually provide long term relief?
If so, why are people so quiet about this?
JohnSheaJr@SheaClinic.comJohn R. Emmett, M.D.
John.Emmett@SheaClinic.com
TelephoneOut of State: (800) 477-SHEA
Local: (901) 761-9720
Fax: (901) 763-4400
Address 6133 Poplar Pike
Memphis, TN 38119
Click on map for driving Directions
EmailFor New Patient AppointmentsJulie Jimenez
Julie.Jimenez@sheaclinic.comFor Current PatientsJohn J. Shea, Jr., MD
JohnSheaJr@SheaClinic.comJohn R. Emmett, M.D.
John.Emmett@SheaClinic.comLara May (Dr. Emmett's nurse)
Lara.May@sheaclinic.comJ. Gregory Staffel, M.D.
Gregory.Staffel@SheaClinic.comStephanie Strain (Dr. Staffel's Nurse)
Stephanie.Strain@SheaClinic.comPaul F. Shea, M.D.
P.Shea@SheaClinic.comPatty Chafin (Dr. Paul Shea's nurse)
Patty.Chafin@SheaClinic.com
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It would have to be FDA approved, or they would not be able to do this treatment.
The cost can run as high as $10,000. It is a out patient surgical operation.
The gal in there office told me, that insurance companies, have approved this procedure.
If they would be willing to let us talk to other people who has had this procedure done, it might be worth a try.
JohnSheaJr@SheaClinic.com
John.Emmett@SheaClinic.com
Above is the email addresses, to the doctors that do this procedure.
The best part, is the fact, you don't have to leave the US, to have it done.
Personally, I think stem cells will be the "cure" for T, but that's a long way off. Until then, I feel we have TRT and/or drugs, mainly benzos and seizure meds, and, in my case, Mysoline (seizure med) works best to keep my T quiet.