TINNITUS You are not alone. An estimated 50 million people in the U.S. suffer from tinnitus. Of those, 16 million have sought medical attention for their tinnitus; and 2-3 million are completely disabled from it. But there is help out here. And tinnitus can be managed. *Data collected and analyzed from the 1999-2004 National Health Interview Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control. What is it? Put simply, tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ears or head where no external source is present. Commonly referred to as “ringing in the ears,” people describe it using a variety of terms such as hissing, buzzing, roaring or chirping. 50 million What should a person with tinnitus do first? Contact an audiologist, otologist or otolaryngologist for an examination as soon as possible. The purpose of the examination is to determine if there is a treatable medical condition causing tinnitus. It is important to remember that a natural tinnitus reduction can occur at any time. 2-3 million Loud Noise What causes it? There are many causes. One of the most common causes of tinnitus is exposure to excessively loud sounds. Other causes: head and neck trauma, ear wax build-up, jaw misalignment (TMJ), ototoxicty. 16 million Aspirin Quinine What Makes Tinnitus Worse? Antibiotics Caffeine Nicotine Medications* *ATA can provide you with a list of drugs that are known to exacerbate tinnitus. Available Treatments for Tinnitus Alternative Treatments Some people have experienced relief from: minerals such as How can I learn more and find help? Support the American Tinnitus Association! ATA is a nonprofit, donationdriven organization dedicated to advancing tinnitus research and to helping tinnitus patients and the professionals who treat them. ATA produces and distributes educational materials, promotes ATA’s Support Network and raises public awareness of tinnitus. ATA members receive the magazine, Tinnitus Today, listings of tinnitus health professionals and support contacts, access to the Members section online, discounts in the ATA store and more! magnesium or zinc, herbal preparations such as Ginkgo biloba, homeopathic remedies, B vitamins, acupuncture, cranio-sacral therapy, magnets, hyperbaric oxygen and hypnosis. A few of these therapies have been researched in an attempt to verify the anecdotal claims. But the results have not conclusively identified these treatments as helpful for tinnitus. Amplification (Hearing Aids) Some with hearing loss experience tinnitus relief while wearing hearing aids. If a patient has a hearing loss in the frequency range of the tinnitus, hearing aids may bring back in the ambient sounds that naturally cover the tinnitus. Biofeedback This is a relaxation technique that teaches people to control certain autonomic body functions, such as pulse, muscle tension and skin temperature. The goal is to help people manage stress in their lives by changing the body’s reaction to it. Many notice a reduction in their tinnitus when they are able to modify their reaction to the stress in their lives. Cochlear Implants/Electrical Stimulation Tinnitus may be masked by the ambient sounds that these devices bring; or it may be suppressed by the electrical stimulation sent through the auditory nerve by the implant. Some forms of electrical stimulation to the ear can stop tinnitus briefly. Cognitive Therapy This is a type of counseling based on treating one’s emotional reaction to tinnitus rather than the tinnitus itself. A counselor will help the patient identify negative behaviors and thought patterns, then alter them. Counseling programs are individually designed and are most effective when coupled with other tinnitus treatments, such as masking or medication. Drug Therapy Many drugs have been researched and used to relieve tinnitus, but there is not a drug that has been designed specifically to treat tinnitus. Some drugs that have been studied include anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, antihistamines, anticonvulsants and even anesthetics. All successfully quieted tinnitus for some people. Sound Therapy Various strategies use sound to decrease the loudness/prominence of tinnitus. They include both wearable and non-wearable devices. Often, sound is used to completely or partially cover the tinnitus. Some people refer to this covering of sound as masking. Sound therapies should always be combined with counseling. TMJ Treatment Tinnitus can be a symptom of a jaw joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Muscles and nerves in the jaw are closely connected to those in the ear and can interfere with the ear’s nerves. Dental treatment or bite realignment can help relieve TMJ pain and associated tinnitus. ATA does not endorse or recommend which treatment strategy, drug or otherwise, is right for you. This is for you and your health care provider to determine. Remember to talk to your provider about side effects and about other medications you currently take. Because side effects can happen with any drug or drug combination, patients have to decide for themselves if an undesirable side effect is worth the trade off of tinnitus relief. When trying any new treatment, remember that many therapies require an investment of time and personal effort to be effective. Also, some patients find that a combination of treatments is more effective than a single therapy. American Tinnitus Association P.O. Box 5 Portland, OR 97207-0005 TF: (800) 634-8978 E: tinnitus@ata.org ATA.org