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.

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JohnK 12/01/2008

I just had my first Phase-Out treatment at the Tinnitus Control Center in NY. Dr. Choy claims he has a 50%+ t reduction in 80% of his patients. This is a 3 day adventure. My first appointment was today (Monday), second appointment Wednesday, and third on Friday.
My first impression is that I'm in the 20% who do not benefit from this. They match your t pitch and volume and play it back to you for 30 minutes. The science behind their technique is to play this sound in intervals that will target where the t sound begins??? It is a very difficult thing to match t pitch. This is supposed to result is residual habitation which may last for hours, days, or weeks. So far, I haven't gotten a minute of relief but they say it not always acheived on the first try (of course...?).
It's not cheap...
1st visit 350.00
2nd visit 250.00
3rd visit 250.00
Then if you buy the machine 1000.00+
If it works it will be well worth it.
I'll keep you all posted.

JohnK 12/05/2008

Thanks for all your support. I'm not depressed. All things considered, it was worth the try. I really enjoyed people watching in New York. I'm actually feeling better because after I heard a volume increase that lasted about a day after each of these frequency sessions, I really know how much worse it can be.
Thank you for your support (Bartles and James).

JohnK 02/20/2009

I apologize for bumping up my own post, but I've received several + private messages asking me about my "phase out" experience. I think all the questions I can answer are in this past post and its responses.

The theory is that they play an external sound through head phones that is the exact pitch and volume of your tinnitus. After a 20 minute session of this "residual habitation" occurs meaning you can't or can hardly hear your t anymore.

I might suggest that you could do the same experiment for yourself with a tone generator you can download to your computer for about 50.00. I have a NCH tone generator on my computer. Sorry, I don't have the web-site but it can be easily googled. THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE.

I hope this answers most questions...

JohnK 02/21/2009

Hey John,
Thanks for your response. I was wondering if the bridge and tunnel tolls into NY affected your t in a negative way? I was wondering if the intro to the Sopranos and so many Law-in-Order episodes reminded you of something else and entertaining that counteracted the negative recations you had when paying the turnpike tolls and did this affect your t in a positive way? Maybe the train would have been a better way to enter NY but that would have deterred the whole NY experience? Did you give any coins and or bills to the homeless on the streets of NY? Did the absence of the World Trade Center give you an awkward sense of gratitude that you only have t and have are here today? Looking forward to your response...

deleted_user 02/21/2009

I saw a video right on youtube: here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrIO3K6bgDs&feature=related

Is this the phaseout system - is this machine that you took home mairi2 - look at it on youtube - this could be the very machine you and John have been using. I saw it on the net other places - apparently, they applied for and got a patent on this so it can't be replicated - smart people heh?

JohnK 02/22/2009

MandieGrace,
Yes, it sure looks like the machine that the Tinnitus Control Center in NY is selling.

For the record, you don't take the machine home unless you purchase it. I went to two sessions at this T Center for the treatments and decided not to purchase this machine.

Phase Out is not Tipa. I doubt this is what Mari tried.

deleted_user 02/23/2009

Thanks very much for contributing this experience, John. Not many of us can do much for one another here aside from comfort so when you can take the time to document your thoughts on a given treatment out there it provides real reference for the rest of us.

You are dog-gone right about the wolves, there are so many angles from which to suspend hope in the mind of a T sufferer most will never see it coming. And as I've found first hand, not everyone wants to know the truth.

I have read the post about Sopranos and Law and Order twice. I don't know why, and I still can't figure it but I love it.

JohnK 08/06/2009

Just bumping this post. I see it's a topic again and I can't really add to anything I said here about my phase-out experience.

deleted_user 11/03/2009

Bumping for Wendy who is thinking of doing this -

John you say you use a white noise masker?

JohnK 11/03/2009

Yes, I wear white noise generators. BTE (behind the ear) models from www.generalhearing.com
I used to wear them constantly on. I now go for sometimes several days without turning them on except to sleep. They have helped me tremendously. They were about 1500.00/ea but they still work fine after 2 1/2 years of heavy use.

deleted_user 11/03/2009

That is so cool, I am going for the TRT because I get these horrible spikes from nowhere. I am hoping to see if I can completely drug free (no xanax even during the bad times) and start to sleep without ambien every night because T wakes me up and keeps me up.

So I am hoping to use a drug free therapy to get healthier. Also, I have to have the combo - my hearing is sooo bad - people are just mumbling without my aids - I kinda thought if I did TRT without the hearing aid part, I would just give up - because I cannot hear squat. I am hoping to start out on the right foot - every journey begins with a step right? and then keep going.

Good to hear from you John - I am sorry that therapy didn't work out - but your posts have helped me tremendously - thanks

Hey, Snowrider!!!!

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