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Original poster

My DH has severe tinitus. Is there anything he can do?

19 replies

mummyloveslucy · 01/08/2011 18:12

Hi, my DH has hearing loss and tinitus in one ear. It started about 3 years ago, for no known reason. The Dr said there wasn't a cure for it, but there are coping mecanisms.
It really is driving him mad. He's the sort of person who can't stand a ticking clock, or rustleing noises. It's making him quite depressed and stressed.
Is there an operation that would make him totally deaf in that ear in order to get rid of the tinitus? He only has 20% hearing in that ear anyway. He said he'd much rather be deaf in that ear.
Are there any things he can try? Herbal remadies, drugs, acupuncture etc?
It's really starting to effect all aspects of his life. Sad

OP posts:
Coffeeisking · 01/08/2011 18:42

Hi, my dp also has this, he has full hearing. i know he tends to listen to white noise on headphones which masks the tinnitus.

relaxation techniques and/or hypnotism, avoid aspirin and caffeine, magnesium vitamins, a herb called ginko in tablet form. all of these can help.

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 01/08/2011 19:03

Thank you, I'll get him those vits and herbs. The white noise could be helpful at night when he's going to sleep maybe as it does keep him awake.

OP posts:
HeWhoWillNotObey · 01/08/2011 19:33

I have tinnitus in both ears following a head injury (I also can't abide bloody clocks and rustling!) and asked my GP for a referral to an audiologist. She was great - explained what tinnitus is exactly and suggested I try a hearing aid to turn down my brain's gain (or hearing amplification). I now have a tiny little aid and it does seem to help; not a cure but a help.

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 01/08/2011 19:46

they did give my DH a hearing aid but he lost it. Hmm He was too embarassed to tell them so he never got it replaced. I'll tell him to let them know, even if I have to buy a new one.

OP posts:
trumpton · 01/08/2011 19:48

Please try THIS DH suffers from tinnitus , (his is a side effect of Thyroid problems )and it helps him emnormously.

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 01/08/2011 19:58

thanks trumpton, I've added it to favorites and I'll have a good look at thnat later.

OP posts:
nightcat · 01/08/2011 21:55

this is a really interesting technique, thanks trumpton, could well be something that the vibrations clear in the ears, definitely worth trying, I also tried Mg that I think has helped a bit

Fefeffion · 03/08/2011 20:05

My oh also has this in one ear and finds that it is much worse if he has had a few beers, something to do with the yeast.

Parietal · 03/08/2011 20:10

Has he had a brain scan? In rare cases, tinitus on one side can be caused by a benign growth near the nerve. It should at least be checked out.

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 03/08/2011 20:16

Thanks for letting me know that. I will get him to have it checked. He doesn't really drink anymore, he does like his cheese though, which I've heared can make it worse.

OP posts:
Parietal · 03/08/2011 20:18

It is possible to operate but is high risk and doesn't necessarily cure the tinitus.

Imnotaslimjim · 03/08/2011 20:23

My dad has tinnitus in both ears and at one point was completely deaf because of it. Hehad hearing aids for a while but they didn't to much. He's now had desensitisation treatment, where you retrain your ears to listen to the external noise rather than the noise in your head and it seems to be working for him. Maybe your DH could look into that?

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 03/08/2011 20:33

Thank you, yes we will look into it. He's willing to try anything.

OP posts:
Jonnyfan · 03/08/2011 21:57

I have tinnitus, but am only aware of it when I listen for it- sounds odd I know. I am a teacher and find the daily noise of school masks it, at home I always have radio/tv on, and radio in the car. I try to always tune in to external noise, as Imno said.
Sometimes it maked it hard to get to sleep, worse if I get very tired.
I tried researching it and found no really effective treatments, apart from the one Imno mentioned.
A friend's DH had it very badly, would vomit and be dizzy as well as the noise, and he is now much better. Not sure what tratment he had, but just to encourage you :)

Jonnyfan · 03/08/2011 22:00

WOW- try the link from Trumpton!!!

Eddas · 03/08/2011 22:08

OMG I have ringing in my ears on and off and I just tried the technique on Trumptons link and it works Shock I don't get the tinitus all the time, depends what i've been doing, and like others I tend to have noise most of the time so I notice it less.

My sympathies go to your dh it's highly irritating Sad

Onemorning · 03/08/2011 22:14

I have tinnitus in my right ear, and hearing loss, following an infection.

I've broken my hearing aid again(!) but when I have it it's brilliant. It means that I can hear stuff over the tinnitus, and when I'm not wearing it I notice the tinnitus much less.

Selks · 03/08/2011 22:30

Bookmarking so that I can try the link later. Ta. Sympathies to your DH.

supercally · 11/08/2011 21:29

Wow Trumpton thank you so much, that is amazing. This should be a much more widely known technique.

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