Are You Suffering From Any of These Symptoms as a Result of Tinnitus? Call Today for a Consultation.

■ Mild to severe anxiety■ Depression
■ Insomnia■ Negative thinking
■ Triggered fight or flight■ Crying spells
■ Hopelessness■ Ringing in the ears
■ Suicidal thoughts

Are you growing more isolated?
Do you feel like life will never be the same?
Are you refraining from activities that you enjoy?
Are you fearful of losing your job?
Do you find that your thoughts tend to be negative?

If you answered yes to 3 or more of these questions or symptoms, then we can help. You may be a candidate for Tinnitus Cognitive Retraining Therapy, or TCRT.

With over 20 years of clinical experience, Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R (Bio) developed Tinnitus Cognitive Retraining Therapy and founded the Tinnitus Cognitive Center™ in response to the growing number of Tinnitus sufferers coming to his private practice.

He discovered that by helping people to retrain and reinterpret the thoughts around their Tinnitus, anxiety and depression symptoms began to improve. But even more important so did the Tinnitus.

Call Dr. Katz at (646) 213-2321 for a consultation.

Convenient Online Sessions
Dr. Katz Speaks 5 languages

See our main site: www.TinnitusCognitiveCenter.com
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Tinnitus or Ear Infection?

If you have ringing in your ears, you could have an ear infection or you could be experiencing Tinnitus. You may even be experiencing both. Tinnitus is a symptom that can be caused by an ear infection. If this is the case, how do you know if what you have is Tinnitus; something that will not go away or something you will only experience for a short time?

Similarities of Tinnitus and Ear Infection

Look at the similarities between Tinnitus and ear infections. The only commonality is that ear infections are one of the things that can actually cause Tinnitus. The ear fills up with fluid, which blocks proper hearing and often creates more of an inner ear hearing problem. The signal receptors sending sound to the brain for interpretation can be mishearing sounds due to the fluid build-up with an ear infection. The differences, however, are much greater.

Differences

Differences are what make it easy to diagnose whether it is Tinnitus or an ear infection. An ear infection is temporary. You receive treatment and it goes away and you end up feeling better. The ringing in your ear goes away. However, if you have Tinnitus, even if you cure the ear infection, you are going to end up keeping the noise in your ears.

There is no cure for Tinnitus, unlike an ear infection. While there are treatment options, there is no way to get rid of the sounds completely. The treatment options could be as simple as a hearing aid or they may be as complicated as regular therapy. It really depends on the severity of the condition.

Tinnitus is a condition that around 15% of American’s will have to deal with. It comes from loud jobs, such as construction or lawn work. It can come from muscle spasms; it can even be caused by anxiety and stress. If you are dealing with any of these causes, your Tinnitus could be the symptom. You do not have to suffer from your symptoms. There are treatment options available that can help reduce the symptoms you are experiencing. Do not delay if you have ringing ears. There are Tinnitus treatment options available from over-the-counter medications to implants.

If you need a good Tinnitus doctor in New York City, contact us to schedule an appointment straight away.

Tinnitus Symptoms

What are the Symptoms of Tinnitus?

The symptoms of Tinnitus and Tinnitus treatment options are as varied as the people who suffer from this condition. The first step to understanding the symptoms of Tinnitus is to understand that this condition is actually a symptom. Numerous things can cause Tinnitus, from an ear infection to working in a job where there is a great deal of noise.

Tinnitus merely means a ringing sound in your ears, which cannot be immediately explained by external stimuli. You have nothing ringing around you, yet you hear it constantly. It can also be a variety of other sounds including clacking, chirping, buzzing, hissing, and even roaring. It can range from being very mild and almost unnoticeable; to being so loud you cannot hear anything else. Severe cases are extremely rare, despite how commonplace the condition is, with 15% of all Americans suffering from some form.

Symptoms

Symptoms include a variety of sound options, roaring, hissing, buzzing, chirping, clicking, clacking, and ringing. The sound can be a single tone or multi-tonal. It can go up and down in volume, depending on a wide range of factors. This leads to a variety of other symptoms.

Additional Symptoms

Additional symptoms include depression, irritability, trouble sleeping, and problems with concentrating. It can contribute to or be caused by certain types of hearing loss, so people often attribute hearing loss to one of the symptoms of Tinnitus.

There are numerous treatment options available, although currently there is no cure for the condition. This may be due to the numerous causes. However, numerous ringing ears treatment options have proven to be effective.

If you are suffering from ringing ears or Tinnitus don’t delay, don’t put off treatment for another day. You could be missing an increased quality of life. A properly-trained medical professional can diagnose your symptoms and help you create the perfect treatment plan for your needs. For more information or to schedule an appointment in the New York City area, contact our office of professionals.

Medications for Tinnitus

Tinnitus Medications

One thing to remember when dealing with Tinnitus is it is a symptom and not a cause. This means that there is an underlying condition for which Tinnitus is a symptom. For example, stress, an abnormal blood vessel, or other issue may cause it. The result is that there is no one treatment.

Prescription

There are also a number of conditions, which can arise because of experiencing Tinnitus. For example, depression, anxiety, and insomnia are related symptoms to this ear disorder.

There are medications, which are recommended or have been found to be effective against the symptoms of Tinnitus. These include alprazolam, which is also known as Xanax. Decadron or Dexamethasone can help reduce inflammation when injected into the inner ear.

Antidepressant medication can help those who are dealing with the mood swings, irritability and frustration that can come with this condition. Misoprostol, also known as Cytotec, can also assist, as it is a prostaglandin analogue.

Additional Medications and Over-the-Counter

There are additional medications such as Lidocaine, Niacin, and Anti-seizure medications which have not been found to be effective in a compelling enough manner to encourage their use on a regular basis as a tinnitus treatment option. Additional ringing ears treatment options include herbal remedies and over-the-counter dietary and herbal supplements.

The medication and treatment option chosen depends on what is causing the Tinnitus in the first place. If it is caused by an ear infection then curing the ear infection generally causes the Tinnitus to resolve itself. This means the medication used to treat it would be an antibiotic, since the Tinnitus was a direct symptom to an ear infection. It is not always that easy. For example, there is no single pill that will remove the symptom caused by the environment. The result is finding the right combination of medications to deal with the symptoms arising from the Tinnitus, such as depression or anxiety.

Ringing Ear treatment options should be discussed with a qualified licensed medical health professional that can diagnose the cause of your symptoms and prescribe the necessary treatment routine. To schedule an appointment to discuss Tinnitus Medications in the NYC Area, do feel free to contact us today.

Options for Tinnitus Treatment

Tinnitus treatment options

Tinnitus: you may be suffering from it if you’ve experienced a persistent ringing, buzzing, hissing, chirping, or clacking sound in your ears, even though there is nothing around you causing it. There are treatment choices that can help you. There are many Tinnitus treatment options available today from traditional to alternative methods. However, there is no cure. The reason there is no cure for this condition is because Tinnitus is only a symptom.

Traditional Treatments

Traditional treatments include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and retraining therapy. They also include prescription and over-the-counter medications. These treatment options cover a variety of different issues. In some cases, you may simply have an ear infection; this can cause Tinnitus on a temporary basis. Frequent ear infections can create a situation where it may seem more permanent and may require additional treatment options such as retraining.

Retraining therapy allows your brain to relearn which sounds are important and which can be ignored. It works well in training your hearing to tune out the buzzing, hissing, or ringing noise you may have.

Alternative Treatments

Alternative treatments include ringing ears treatment options such as acupuncture, magnets, biofeedback, and herbal concoctions designed to relieve a variety of symptoms. Alternative treatments may not be approved by appropriate medical boards or backed by clinical studies. Carefully discuss these treatments with a qualified and licensed medical professional before trying them.

Choosing an Option

How do you chosen an option? In some cases, it may be easy. There may be only one treatment option to handle your particular case. Tinnitus is not something that has a one-size-fits all treatment plan. Tinnitus treatment options are varied and numerous. It may require combinations or it may be taken care of with a simple remedy. The only way to know is to try various treatments and treatment combinations to see which ones are right for you and your particular case.

If you are looking to schedule an appointment with a qualified New York City medical professional to discuss treatment options for Tinnitus, contact us today.

LCSW-R Professional for Tinnitus

If you are dealing with Tinnitus, you may have numerous side effects. You may well have depression and need a variety of different Tinnitus treatment options. It means you will need a LCSW-R professional who is trained to handle the various therapy methods that are part of the treatment process for Tinnitus. Alternatively, perhaps you are someone who wants to learn the various therapy methods necessary to treat Tinnitus.

Finding a LCSW-R Professional

Finding a LCSW-R Professional is the first step towards a good treatment plan. This means you need to discuss your needs for Tinnitus treatment with a medical professional. They can recommend several professionals that can help you with whatever treatment option you and your health care professional decide is best for you.

LCSW-R is a designation for a licensed clinical social worker, who is registered. While it might sound daunting, most people associate social workers with child services or the welfare system. However, they offer a wide variety of therapy options as well. They can be the perfect way to get the therapy you need and save some money on your treatment. You can get the same quality level of care without having to have a psychologist assist you. Additionally, many of the ringing ear treatments that are available do not need a medical or psychology doctor.

Becoming a LCSW-R Professional

Becoming a LCSW-R professional can be an exciting and rewarding career. If you have a love for medicine or therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or sound therapy, but you do not want to spend the time it takes to obtain a doctorate, this might be the right career path. Perhaps you just do not have interest in everything else that is needed to obtain a doctorate. This is the perfect way to ensure that you can enjoy the medical field you love and obtain your certification quickly.

As a LCSW-R Professional, you will be able to join a rewarding and busy career. Approximately 15% of all Americans suffer from Tinnitus, which makes ringing ears treatment options hugely popular. The result is that you as a LCSW-R professional can have a career that grows as much as you do.

If you need an LCSW-R professional for your Tinnitus treatment, contact us today for tried-and-tested treatment options.

I have Ringing in my ears do I have Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a symptom, where there are numerous causes. It could be caused by a variety of things from working in a loud environment, to a muscle spasm in the middle ear. Whatever the cause it could be difficult for you to deal with everyday life. The question is how do you know if you have tinnitus?

The first thing to understand is that this is a common symptom that can arise from numerous sources. There is no one place or point where you might cause these symptoms to appear. For example, if you happened to have a day where there was a lot of loud noises, you may spend a few days dealing with ringing in your ears afterwards. Usually it goes away. Individuals who work in constantly loud environments such as around machinery, in the military, near airplanes, or in closed in loud spaces can develop permanent tinnitus.

What Happens When the Ringing Doesn’t Go Away?

You have taken yourself out of the environment. You have spent days in the quiet trying to get your hearing back to normal. If it does not return to normal then where does that leave you? In some cases, you may just be able to tune it out. It is common for people to have tinnitus. In fact, 15% of the American population has some level of Tinnitus. Some people have just a little bit of a problem, it is ignored easily and they go on with their lives. Some people need to have serious help because the problem has gotten to the point that they can no longer handle the noise.

Treatment Options for tinnitus:

Treatment options are varied. There is no actual cure for this condition. In part, this is because it is a symptom and there may not be a way to solve the problem causing the Tinnitus. Treatment options range from over-the-counter medications to retraining therapy. In other cases it is actually the medications causing the symptoms. While there may be no way to cure Tinnitus, there are many ways to reduce the symptoms so that you do not have to be overwhelmed with the condition.

If you are not sure if you have Tinnitus, contact us, we are NYC’s trusted Tinnitus Specialists. Book an appointment now to find some much-needed relief.

What is Tinnitus?

When people hear the word Tinnitus, they may think it is something horrible, contagious, or transmittable. However, Tinnitus is defined as the perception of sound in one or both ears or in the head, when there is no discernable external cause. The sound can be everything from ringing to hissing, buzzing, chirping, clicking or even roaring. It can be a single tone or multiple tones, too.

The volume can also change from very quiet to so loud you cannot hear anything else over it. There is no cure for this disorder, but there are a variety of treatment options. It is a common problem that approximately 15% of Americans deal with each and every day.

Causes of tinnitus:

The first thing to remember is that Tinnitus is not a cause. It is a symptom that is caused by a variety of different things. These can run from experiencing a loud sound close to the ear that leaves a residual ringing, to the vibration of a muscle in the middle ear as it spasms. Many Tinnitus sufferers can link their symptoms to working in loud environments such as with planes, in basements with loud machines, or machine-based industries.

Symptoms of tinnitus:

Symptoms vary depending on the degree and severity of the condition you are experiencing.  If you are experiencing a severe case of Tinnitus, you may be unable to hear well over the roaring, ringing, hissing, or buzzing sound. Alternatively, you could just find it mildly annoying in less severe cases. It can also cause disturbances in sleep patterns and overall concentration.

It can cause irritation, which can lead to mood swings and depression. Depression can be a common symptom due to the lack of sleep and frustration that comes with the persistent noise.

Treatments

There are treatment options available from alternative medicine, to over-the-counter and prescription drugs. There are also options that include sound, cognitive, and retraining therapy, hearing aids, implants, biofeedback and magnets. While there is no cure and there is no set Tinnitus treatment regime, treatments are flexible. Each person is different so it is important to find a treatment that works best for you.

If you think you might be experiencing Tinnitus, schedule an appoint with top providers of ringing ear treatment in NYC by contacting us.

Ringing Ears Treatment Doctor

Ringing Ears: it doesn’t sound as difficult as other health issues, but for many people it can be a difficult condition to manage. If you have experienced it, even temporarily, then you know the feeling. The constant noise just does not go away. It can be a soft or a loud noise. It could be a mild irritation or one that keeps you up at night.

Ringing Ears Treatment Doctor

There are numerous conditions that can cause it; numerous secondary symptoms and there is currently no cure. Even though Tinnitus is experienced by as many as 15% of the total population in the USA, there are only a small number of severe cases, and most people do not seek treatment. In fact, in some cases, they may not even know they are experiencing Tinnitus because the noise is just loud enough to be bothersome, but not so much as to be highly noticeable.

A good Ringing Ears treatment doctor can help you discover how much of your life is being affected by this condition and how much better your life can be when you manage the effects accordingly.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Tinnitus are more than just ringing or buzzing sounds in your ear. It can cause irritability, annoyance, trouble concentrating, and even depression. Difficulty sleeping is also a common symptom. This is in addition to the sound constantly playing in your ears.

Treatment Options

There are numerous treatment options including medication, behavioral and retraining therapy options. In addition, there are alternative treatments such as herbs, magnets, acupuncture, hearing aids, biofeedback, cochlear and electrical stimulation, and sound therapy. Remember there is no cure for Tinnitus. There are only ways to reduce the symptoms that you experience once you have this condition. It is important to remember with any therapy to get the advice of a qualified medical professional; especially, alternative therapy treatments. You do not have to suffer with this condition without some form of relief.

If you need a ringing ears treatment doctor, contact us for an appointment. Our New York City based office is one of the best supplying treatments and help for tinnitus symptoms.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy

Retraining your brain sounds difficult, but it is actually something that is being done as part of the treatment options available for Tinnitus. Tinnitus, or ringing ears, involves hearing a ringing sound or even a buzzing sound all the time, even when there is nothing there to create the sound. The result can be a constant drain on the body and the mind.

What is Retraining Therapy?

The first step to understanding how retraining therapy can help as a tinnitus treatment option is to understand exactly what retraining therapy is all about. The brain gets used to certain things. It processes things a certain way. This is especially true when dealing with sound. Sound comes into the ear and then the brain has to process it. The brain believes this is the sound you should be listening too or a sound to ignore. If the brain did not do this, you would constantly be jumping at every sound you heard, as soon as it came into hearing.

In the case of Tinnitus, the brain believes this ringing or buzzing sound should be a prominent sound. This means you hear it all the time, everywhere, and it becomes part of the minute-to-minute sounds that would normally be put into the white noise category, there but ignorable.

How Retraining Therapy Works

Retraining therapy is a lot like it sounds, it is designed to retrain the brain so that it recognizes the ringing caused by this condition as a secondary sound, one that does not have any importance. For most people, this causes the sound to lessen in volume and to become easier to ignore. In this way, the stress on the mind and body of the person suffering from this condition can be eased.

There is currently no cure for this disorder and there are a variety of ways it can be caused and experienced. Retraining therapy has gained enough notoriety that it is considered by compensation and insurance programs to be an acceptable treatment option.

If you are experiencing symptoms of Tinnitus, contact us, we offer top care in NYC. We are happy to schedule an appointment for you today.

 

Tinnitus Treatments 

Tinnitus is also known as ringing ears. It is where there is a persistent buzzing or ringing in the ears, even though there is nothing there in actuality to cause the sound. The disorder can be caused by numerous factors. It could be the result of working in an environment with loud noises. It can be the result of an accident or the result of muscle spasms in the middle ear. There are even psychological and neurological reasons as to why someone might be experiencing sounds that do not have a physical cause attached to them.

Tinnitus Treatments

There are numerous treatment options available for Tinnitus. However, none of the ringing ears treatment options are going to offer a cure. As a result, most people do not pursue the necessary treatment to experience a reduction. It may be because the treatments will not bear any real fruit or it could be because the treatments are a variety of ‘let us see what works with you’ out of a hotchpotch of options.

Some of the treatments have proven effective enough that they have made their way onto the acceptable lists for compensation cases.  Behavioral cognitive therapy is one of the options to help treat ringing ears. It helps people deal with the stress that comes from having a constant sound in their ears. This constant noise wears on a person, their nerves, their ability to sleep, and their ability to concentrate. Therapy helps to relieve the stress and help people manage the symptoms with greater ease.

Cognitive Retraining Therapy works to retrain the way the brain hears sounds. This makes it possible for the mind, in essence, to tune out the sound created by the Tinnitus.

Choosing a Treatment

Ringing ears treatment options are wide enough that they can be varied to match the patient’s individual needs. The more severe the case, the more varied the treatments, but most people will be able to experience some relief with some of the treatment options available.

If you are experiencing issues with Tinnitus or think your may have this condition, contact us for trusted Tinnitus care in NYC.

Cognitive Retraining Therapy for Tinnitus 

Tinnitus, it sounds horrible but it is a simple and common disorder that involves a persistent ringing or buzzing noise in one or both ears. The problem can cause a great deal of issues for people who suffer from it; especially severe cases. The noise can be irritating, annoying, distracting; it can have a serious effect on your life. It is important to receive treatment.

It is a known and sad fact, that many people do not even receive treatment. In part, it is because, while Tinnitus is a common condition, the amount that is known about it and its causes, as well as Tinnitus treatment options, are limited. One of the treatments that is considered as part of a regime is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

This type of therapy deals with handling the stress that is caused by this condition. Another therapy that has been gaining in popularity is Cognitive Retraining Therapy.

Cognitive Retraining Therapy

While this is not a new therapy, it has only recently been accepted as a viable ringing ears treatment option. Although it has been around for a while, it has become part of the accepted options for treatment for example, worker’s compensation only recently. It works based on a neurophysiological model of the disorder. It is believed that treatment should focus on the limbic system and the automatic nervous system.

What is Cognitive Retraining Therapy?

Cognitive Retraining Therapy works on retraining the brain’s auditory responses, so that it views sounds differently. Tinnitus causes a ringing in the ear that the brain thinks is more important than other sounds or cannot recognize as a background sound. The result is that it appears louder or more prominent than other sounds.

This type of training causes your brain to view the sounds that come from the Tinnitus to be unimportant, thereby reducing the severity of the sound. This has numerous benefits including reducing the irritation, annoyance, distraction, loss of concentration, and sleep deprivation that can result from this disorder.

To schedule your appointment with one of NYC’s finest specialists in Cognitive Retraining Therapy contact us today!

Counseling Services for Tinnitus

Counseling for Tinnitus

Have you been hearing ringing in your ears but there is no actual sound? You could be experiencing a condition known as Tinnitus. This condition is also known as Ringing Ears and can be caused by several conditions. Unfortunately, there is no way to cure this condition completely. Treatments are available that can lessen the condition. There are still underlying factors; however, such as having to put up with the persistent constant noise in one or both ears.

Psychological Factors

Tinnitus often comes with psychological factors. The constant ringing noise can create mood swings, annoyance, irritation and in some cases, anger. Some people experience problems concentrating or sleeping. There are also some people who have been experiencing depression. This is why one of the Tinnitus treatment components is counseling.

Counseling

Talk therapy is one of the ringing ears treatment options when it comes to dealing with Tinnitus. There are often issues dealing with the sleep problems, concentration issues, and emotional issues that arise from the constant noise. This is generally a treatment option used for more severe cases, where the patient is not able to deal with the severity of the noise; however, it can be helpful for people with less severe cases.

If you are experiencing ringing ears, then you can understand the frustration, annoyance and even anger at the sound. It may be caused by psychological issues or it may even cause them. Counseling is a good way to resolve issues and help to lessen the impact this condition has on the sufferer’s mental state and overall ability to function.

If you are experiencing issues with this disorder, you are not alone. It is a common condition, with 10-15% of the population experiencing some form of it. Severe cases are rarer but you do not have to feel as if you are the only one suffering from this condition. Counseling can help you to manage the psychological effects and aspects of your condition, so you can control it without your condition controlling you.

For an appointment or more information, contact New York City’s trusted provider of Tinnitus treatment.

How does hearing work?

BestTinnitusTreatmentNYC1The mechanisms of hearing are complex and our understanding of them is continually evolving. Simplified, the ear translates air movements into nerve impulses sent to the brain. These impulses are then further processed based on things like location to the listener, volume and quality to determine what’s “important” and what can be ignored.

The acoustics of hearing

The intricate process of hearing begins with the ear canal and drum. That little opening in the side of your head has a surprisingly significant impact on how you hear. Like a subwoofer, the canal itself creates resonances which amplify or reduce specific frequencies. This is why even minor blockages can create problems with sound and speech recognition. Voice communications average around the 2000Hz range and the ear canal amplifies this peak. Changes in the shape of this acoustic chamber (as well as changes to the external ear) can alter the location of this peak, causing a distortion in sound.

image

Figure 1: Amplification in the ear canal

(Musiek, Frank E., Jane A. Baran. The Auditory System: Anatomy, Physiology, and Clinical Correlates. Allyn & Bacon. March 2006. Page 46)

The anatomy of hearing

After air vibrations reach the eardrum, delicate bones transcribe them to the fluid-filled chambers of the inner ear. Similar to tapping the skin of a water balloon, the sound ripples through the perilymph to a second fluid-filled chamber containing endolymph where things get really interesting.

Bathed within the endolymphatic chamber are the hair cells. These marvels of evolution translate fluid vibrations into nerve impulses that get carried to the brain. These hair cells are evolutionally related to neurons, and function in much the same way. The vibration causes change in the intracellular (inside the cell) potassium and calcium levels, releasing neurotransmitters that stimulate electro-chemical impulses down the hearing nerves.

The psychoacoustics of hearing

These afferent (to the brain) nerves carry impulses through the brainstem to the “auditory belt” which decides which signals are important. The “important” signals continue on to the cortices of the brain and our conscious hearing while others – don’t. This is one reason we can locate sound and “tune-out” background noise like ignoring someone else’s conversation at a party. As a part of this process, the brain also sends impulses back to the ear (efferent impulses) which change how the hair cells respond to sound by physically changing their shape and how they respond to ions.

How does anatomy affect tinnitus?BestTinnitusTreatmentNYC4

Considering this elaborate chain of events, it’s easy to see how a hiccup at any point could create noise. It’s also why tinnitus can be so difficult to treat effectively. When an obvious link in the chain is disrupted, for example with acoustic neuroma, the targeting of treatment is relatively straightforward. When it’s more idiopathic (unknown) things become challenging. Research into both the hearing mechanisms and treatments for tinnitus continue. Every day new and amazing discoveries are made although it will be some time before the mysteries of the ear, hearing and balance fully unravel.

If you’re suffering from tinnitus, there is help. We offer the best staff in the New York area for treatment of tinnitus. Contact us for a free consultation!

Dietary Deficiencies and Tinnitus

According to the Mayo clinic, tinnitus affects as much as 10% of the population. The constant ringing and buzzing sound can be maddening, and research continues to search for causes and resolutions. Much study has gone into whether vitamins, minerals and other dietary issues can lead to tinnitus. While the jury is still out, there is a growing body of evidence that maintaining a healthy diet with a full complement of nutrients is beneficial.

Can deficiencies lead to tinnitus?BestTinnitusDoctorNYC1

A dietary deficiency is, by definition, when a specific nutrient is consistently low enough that it leads to a disease process. Rickets (caused by a deficiency in Vitamin D) and Scurvy (caused by a deficiency in Vitamin C) were prevented on old English sailing vessels by carrying barrels of citrus with them on long journeys (leading to the – perhaps less than complementary – nickname “Limeys”). Research has looked into nutrient levels as they relate to tinnitus and into supplementation as a solution to its frustrating symptoms.

BestTinnitusDoctorNYC2B12 and tinnitus

B12 deficiency and tinnitus has gotten a lot of press recently. A study published in the American Journal of Otolaryngololgy found a correlation between an existing deficiency in B12 and the tendency to develop hearing loss and tinnitus after exposure to loud noise. While the evidence for supplementation to improve tinnitus was not examined in this particular study, maintaining healthy levels of B12 may be helpful for avoiding the illness and preventing it from worsening.

Zinc and tinnitusBestTinnitusDoctorNYC3

Studies into zinc came to much the same conclusion as those of B12. Zinc is related to neurotransmission and is found in very high concentrations in the inner ear. The studies however have not been able to come to a consensus as to a relationship between zinc and tinnitus. Some studies have shown a strong correlation while others none at all. In these cases, it will take time to eliminate the factors leading to such strongly differing results. However, the trend in zinc studies so far is that (again) an existing deficiency in zinc may leave one susceptible to tinnitus (especially in the elderly) and supplementation in these cases may lead to improvement.

BestTinnitusDoctorNYC4Magnesium and tinnitus

There are few studies on magnesium as a treatment for tinnitus. Most of these were directed at magnesium administration immediately following an acoustic trauma (loud noise) or sudden sensorineural hearing loss (when the hearing goes away suddenly for no known reason). The goal was to investigate hearing loss prevention and the subsequent development of tinnitus.

Individuals supplemented immediately after an event that could cause hearing loss did show improvement. This implies magnesium may play a role in inner ear function; or at least in those healing processes of the ear after an acoustic trauma. Studies regarding magnesium as a treatment for existing tinnitus have not shown much benefit to date but research continues.

Should I supplement for my tinnitus?

As with any idiopathic disorder, it’s unclear as to what effect nutrients play in its development and treatment. It’s clear that nutrient deficiencies play a role in the development of disease including tinnitus. Certainly, a healthier lifestyle including improved diet and exercise is always beneficial to those suffering chronic illness. It’s rare that supplementing is harmful and many doctors recommend daily supplementation for improved general health.

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Are there foods that can relieve tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a chronic condition of constant ringing in the ears. The cause is frequently unknown, which makes treatment a struggle to separate what works from what doesn’t. In cases where the medical cause is apparent – such as acoustic trauma, an inner ear disorder such as Meniere’s disease or infection – the treatment for tinnitus is the treatment of the disease. For idiopathic (unknown) tinnitus, lifestyle changes including exercise and diet are often effective.

Can what I eat cause tinnitus? BestTinnitusDoctorNYC3

Idiopathic means “unknown” and for most of us this also implies, “It could be anything!” – which is not entirely accurate. With the exception of autoimmune or allergic inner ear disorders (which do exist) the answer to “Can foods cause tinnitus?” is maybe…but it’s pretty unlikely.

Some research has shown that people clinically deficient in some nutrients (like B12 or Zinc) may be more prone to develop tinnitus when exposed to acoustic trauma. Hyperinsulemia and unhealthy fluctuations in blood glucose have also been implicated in some inner ear disorders which can result in tinnitus. Whether or not diet is the source, the good news is that what you eat may help improve your symptoms.

BestTinnitusDoctorNYC4How can my diet improve my tinnitus?

When tinnitus cannot be associated with a diagnosable disorder, the general recommendation leans toward improvement in overall health, especially inner ear health. In almost all circumstances, an improvement in one’s general health will have a positive effect on reducing symptoms.

One common suspect in idiopathic tinnitus is blood flow. The inner ear and the stria vascularis are big energy users; needing a constant heavy supply of oxygen and nutrients to generate ATP. Some suspect tinnitus results from restrictions to blood flow, whether from blockage or genetically small blood vessels. Anything that can improve blood flow may improve tinnitus.

How do I improve my blood flow?BestTinnitusDoctorNYC5

Many of the same dietary recommendations for cardiovascular disease are recommended for tinnitus. High blood triglycerides and cholesterol can lead to narrowed and hardened vessels. Reducing these to healthy levels can – at least in theory – lead to improvement of symptoms and a slow-down of disease progression.

Removing vasoconstrictors or foods that aggravate hypertension may help as well. Fewer caffeinated beverages, increasing essential fatty acids (EFAs), and supplements which have been shown to increase vasodilatation (such as Ginko Biloba and Niacin) may also have positive effects. Reductions in salt are a common recommendation for some illnesses such as Meniere’s disease, and may have benefits for peripheral blood flow as well.

Exercise is, of course, one of the best ways to improve blood flow throughout the body. It increases oxygenation to all tissues including the inner ear, creates a more flexible vasculature and an improved circulation overall. The hormones triggered by exercise have growth and healing effects for tissues that have been or are being damaged.

It’s always best to consult a doctor before embarking on any major lifestyle change involving diet or exercise. With your doctor’s guidance you can improve your diet and health, which will likely improve everything else including your tinnitus symptoms.

Vitamin B-12 and Tinnitus

What is Tinnitus? Tinnitus is a frustrating, chronic disorder that can – at times – make a person feel like they’re going mad. It can be related to a diagnosed medical condition or be completely idiopathic; and when the cause is unknown finding solutions is an exhausting process. Nutrition and Tinnitus Nutrition and dietary deficiencies… Continue Reading

Tinnitus Cognitive Center™

Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R
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