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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bocrox 01/28/2015

I have had tinnitus for approximately 30 years and for the most part have been able to live a normal life. In recent months I have had some issues with anxiety & depression which has aggravated my tinnitus (could be effects from new medications I have been taking???). I have a few questions that I would appreciate someone responding to.
1.I have never had to use a sound masker but of late I have been giving it some consideration. After reading some of the comments on the SoundCure unit I have decided not to pursue it further. There is another unit on Amazon that has received good reviews that could be a possibility. It's made by Marpac and can be viewed on the following link:http://www.amazon.com/Marpac-DOHM-DS-Natural-actual-Machine/dp/B00HD0ELFK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422504556&sr=8-1&keywords=tinnitus+masker. My question is...those of you who have had success with a sound masker, could you recommend something? There are so many out there, having some guidance would be helpful. Note: Need something to place next to my bed on an end table...wouldn't be able to tolerate earplugs.
2. Has anyone had any amount of success with acupuncture? If you have and live in the Southern Calif. area do you have someone to recommend?
3. Many well known celebrities have gone public with their Tinnitus. Names that come to mind are William Shatner & Pete Townsend. I've always been curious as to how they manage that and a successful career.
That's it for now. I hope you are coping with your Tinnitus and please don't ever give up. Every day is unique and there's always hope.

McMurdo 01/30/2015

1. The sound machine I use is Conair: http://www.amazon.com/Conair-Sound-Therapy-Machine/dp/B000F54AN8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422602147&sr=8-1&keywords=conair+sound+machines&pebp=1422602149130&peasin=B000F54AN8

I like it because water noises are notorious for helping soothe people with T by mixing with the T or even masking it. This has a number of water noises on it besides the white noise. At first I could hear the "loop" and it bugged me, but I quickly got used to it.

I also sometimes play this "sound machine" on my laptop near my bed or during a bad T day. Click on Rainy Season or White Noise in the first paragraph and set the sliders at the top for what works best for your T: http://mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/rainNoiseGenerator.php?c=0&l=00996941244532502765

2. I've never tried acupuncture, but others on here have, and I don't recall anyone having much success with it. You can search any topic you want in this Tinnitus group, including acupuncture, by typing your key word in the LOWER search box up above.

3. This wasn't a question, so I'm not positive what you are asking. Are you asking how they can work with severe T? Many of us on here work full time or part-time, do volunteer work, and so on. We get used to functioning with the noise in our heads and learn to distract ourselves by staying busy.

I'm sorry to hear about your anxiety and depression from your T. I think all of us in here can relate--we have dealt with those very things when we first got T or when it suddenly got worse. Some of us took or are taking ant-anxiety meds or depression meds, so we understand where you are coming from. That part generally gets better over time, too....

bocrox 01/30/2015

Thanks McMurdo. I'll take a look at your suggestions. As I mentioned in my original post I've had T for a long time. The depression and anxiety came about as an issue not related to T. What I'm finding out though is that there are many anti-anxiety and depression meds that can adversely affect T. For that matter, many over the counter meds as well. My plan is to get away from all of these as soon as possible.
Again, thanks for your comments and I wish you nothing but the best...Ted

McMurdo 02/06/2015

Hi Ted.

I understand that anti-d's can aggravate your T. I have had that happen. Klonopin, and anti-anxiety can cause people without T to have T while they are on it, but oddly if you have T, it can lower the T.

As far as the "safest" anti-d's for T, they are tricyclics (like Amatryptaline and Nortryptaline) or tetracyclics (like Remeron). I've never read about these making T worse and in some cases they lower T's volume. SSRIs are notorious for making T worse, esp when you first start them, though everyone's different. Some do fine on SSRIs, some don't and some have a spike when they first strat an SSRI, but then it settles down.

Sorry I missed that you had said the anxiety and depression wer not from your T but wer making your T worse. Yes, those things can certainly do that! :( I hope you feel better soon. --Jule

bocrox 03/02/2015

Hi Jule,
Once again, thanks for your reply and valuable insight. I wasn't aware that the SSRI's have that effect on T. As coincidence would have it I just started a new SSRI today, Brintellix, and the buzzing picked up almost immediately. It's so hard to find the right meds that help with the depression but don't have a detrimental affect on the T. I see my doctor this week and will discuss the tri & tetracyclics.
Im attending a local ATA support group meeting this Saturday for a demonstration of a tinnitus sound masking unit manufactured by a company named Audio Bionics. It is the only over-the-counter unit currently approved by the FDA. Everyone in attendance will be receiving a free unit so it should be interesting.
Once again, thanks for your kind words and likewise, I hope you are feeling good as well. Take care...Ted

kasandra 03/02/2015

I was told by the the Oregon State Research Center for tinnitus that the older antidepressants do not impact tinnitus like the newer ones.
I hope you find something that will work. :) Please let us know, good luck.
Time and distraction seems to help.

God bless,
Sandy

kasandra 03/02/2015

I did try Amitriptoline at one time, but it made me extremely sleepy.
Maybe they have different ones from that family that may work. I did not stay on it very long, as I was falling asleep waiting for lights to change while driving. :( However, not all drugs work the same for all people.
Good luck. :)

rmriph 03/03/2015

Hi .Amitriptyline will make you tired for the first week but if you stay with it your body soon gets back to normal,also none addictive not like diazapan ect.The best thing I have found for anxiety and depression is mindfulness meditation and Qi gong with the emphasis on relaxed breathing not trying to hard.
Bob

kasandra 03/04/2015

Maybe I should have waited a bit longer? But for me, I was taught distraction by a person in this group, and really I was at my wits end at that time. I still have high days, and I feel a could grit my teeth right out of my mouth, but I have to remember and self talk myself down, and tell myself you are having a spike, and it will go down, then find a good distraction like listening to music that is soothing really gets me into a good zone.
Hugs to all. :)

rmriph 03/04/2015

When you get a spike sit on a chair straight back,eyes closed then slowly breath into the stomach,hold then slowly out again ,thinking all the time following the movements your body makes,keep going for 15-20mins,on your out breath you mentally say calm, do not strain.
Big hugs
Bob

kasandra 03/05/2015

Thank you Bob, I will try that. :)

LGRich 03/05/2015

I wanted to comment on the recommendation of the sounds on mynoise.net. I experimented a bit, and found that the "Rain Noise", set to 8kHz center, was a very good masking sound for me. I ordered a 1 hour (non-repetitive, as it's randomly generated) mp3 and downloaded it onto my iPod. With a standard bluetooth earpiece (I picked up a nice one on Amazon for $25) and the iPod in my pocket, I have nearly perfect masking wherever I go. It's fairly inconspicuous (lots of folks using bluetooth earpieces), and it works for me.

When sleeping, I found that the BedPhones (bedphones.com) work very well. I plug them into my nightstand iPad, and the masking sound takes over.

I wish I could find an mp3 (or even a CD) of the Petroff Dynamic Tinnitus Mitigation sounds (particularly the e-Water) to see if that might be even better. Anyone know of a source (or is willing to rip a copy for me)?

sueera 03/05/2015

So glad you found some relief.

bocrox 03/06/2015

Hi to you all and thanks for the feedback. I did a swab test recently which identifies the meds most likely to be compatible with your body chemistry. As Jule mentioned in an earlier entry I'm staying away from the SSRI's as they tend to aggravate the T. Saw my doctor today and gave me some samples of Abilify to try. Will start that tomorrow and if I don't get the results I'm hoping for we'll try doxepin (Sinequan) next. As most of you know it's all trial and error. Can get pretty frustrating but not many other options.
I will keep you posted on this thread so hopefully things will work out in my favor and in turn help some of you as well.
Take care...Ted

kasandra 03/06/2015

Good luck Ted, I hope you will find some relief from your anxiety and depression, I, like many of us have tried a variety of meds to bring down the t. and to fight depression and anxiety, but I know that many people although they got relief it was short lived. And one of the things that concern me is the relief verses side affects. It is great they can actually check for what may work with each individual's body, this must be a new thing.
God bless,
Kasandra

McMurdo 03/06/2015

Thank you for keeping us updated. It definitely is a lot of trial and error. :/ Hang in there!

--Julie

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