Tinnitus and hearing Aids

[jacrol]

I just got through three trial periods where I would wear recommended hearing aids to try and reduce my Tinnitus, which can be as loud as the normal TV volume. My Tinnitus comes from loud noise damage back in the 60s and 70s when few were talking up noise protection. Many sources say that the first step in looking for a way to reduce Tinnitus is to try hearing aid amplification. I did not believe anything would help my Tinnitus, so never tried anything.

The first trial was with Avada where they let me wear Oticon M9s for about 2 hours and it seemed to have a slight improving effect. Boy was I surprised, so I got interested in doing something further.

The second trial was a 2 week free trial (sponsored by a local hearing center) with Oticon M7; nice hearing aids, but no help to me.

The third trial was for 45 days and sponsored by Hearing Planet (http://www.hearingplanet.com) where they teamed me up with a local audiologist and paid for the screening and trial. I used the "next level up" hearing aids; Ion 400. Again there was no improvement to my Tinnitus. Hearing Planet did a good job in setting up the screening and visits and covered the return of the hearing aids.

So, now I have teamed up with a Tinnitus specialist (at the office recommended by Hearing Planet) and will see where that goes. After an extensive Tinnitus screening, the first thing that I was given to try was a little music playing device called Neuromonics which actually made my Tinnitus slightly worse.

[charliewideout]

My tinnitus was helped somewhat by wearing Widex Divas. It is currently not helped by Element Moxis. I wonder if the in-ear was better in terms of tinnitus reduction than is the open fit - I think it shielded me from noises better, which is what activates my tinnitus.

[dunshawhearing]

Hearing aids are useful for hearing loss and the thing most people do not realize is that Tinnitus does not always cause hearing loss (though if noise induced as in your case it is likely). There are many hearing devices that are used to cancel out the sounds which can be successful and in some cases such as your are not. In this case, I would recommend you test some non mechanical methods as well such as meditation. See an audiologist as well as a tinnitus specialist for more opinions on it and just to make sure you do not have any hearing loss.


------
Dunshaw

http://www.dunshawhearing.com

[hearnow]

I just got through three trial periods where I would wear recommended hearing aids to try and reduce my Tinnitus, which can be as loud as the normal TV volume. My Tinnitus comes from loud noise damage back in the 60s and 70s when few were talking up noise protection. Many sources say that the first step in looking for a way to reduce Tinnitus is to try hearing aid amplification. I did not believe anything would help my Tinnitus, so never tried anything.

The first trial was with Avada where they let me wear Oticon M9s for about 2 hours and it seemed to have a slight improving effect. Boy was I surprised, so I got interested in doing something further.

The second trial was a 2 week free trial (sponsored by a local hearing center) with Oticon M7; nice hearing aids, but no help to me.

The third trial was for 45 days and sponsored by Hearing Planet (http://www.hearingplanet.com) where they teamed me up with a local audiologist and paid for the screening and trial. I used the "next level up" hearing aids; Ion 400. Again there was no improvement to my Tinnitus. Hearing Planet did a good job in setting up the screening and visits and covered the return of the hearing aids.

So, now I have teamed up with a Tinnitus specialist (at the office recommended by Hearing Planet) and will see where that goes. After an extensive Tinnitus screening, the first thing that I was given to try was a little music playing device called Neuromonics which actually made my Tinnitus slightly worse.

As a tinnitus retraining therapsit and Audiologist and I often use hearing aids to reduce tinnitus. In 95% of the cases I see the tinnitus is a symptom of the hearing loss, so correcting the hearing loss leads to a reduction of the tinnitus. You have to however pick your hearing aid very carefully and it needs to be set up very carefully to work effectively. You do not want to block the ear canal causing an artificial (occlusion) hearing loss, which would exagerate the tinnitus. So generally open fit devices if appropraite for your loss are the best. The aid also needs a frequency response range of up to 8Khz as tinnitus often occurs at 6-8KHz and the aid needs a trimmer at the 6-8KHz range to make sure sufficient gan can be delivered. The only aid in your trial which met all these criteria was the Dual M9. But the reduction effect would have probably been greater had the Audi artificially increased the 6-8Khz band.

Neuromonics is based on tinnitus retraining and works well, but they often have you purchase the neuromonics masker and then once your tinniuts retraining is done, they then give you hearing aids -making profit twice. I prefer prescribing hearing aids as the only step when required as it is equally (or more) effective and improves the hearing and the tinnitus at the same time and thus is more cost effective. I often use Audeo YES (any model), Oticon Dual m9, Dual W or XW, Unitron Next Moxi or Yuu Moxi as devices to achieve these goals.

Good luck

[ccvickers]

You do not want to block the ear canal causing an artificial (occlusion) hearing loss, which would exaggerate the tinnitus. So generally open fit devices if appropriate for your loss are the best.

I have a low-frequency linear loss with tinnitus primarily in my RT ear (sometimes in the left ear, but it's mostly difficult to tell unless it gets loud) I see an audiologist in 2 weeks. I expect to be fitted with an occluded (maybe vented) fitting. In general, what can be done for those of us with low frequency loss and tinnitus.

here are my numbers if that helps.
Freq-R/L 500- 50/60, 1k- 60/70, 2k- 50/70, 3k- 50/55, 4k- 45/60, 6k- 40/40

Thank you!

[hearnow]

I have a low-frequency linear loss with tinnitus primarily in my RT ear (sometimes in the left ear, but it's mostly difficult to tell unless it gets loud) I see an audiologist in 2 weeks. I expect to be fitted with an occluded (maybe vented) fitting. In general, what can be done for those of us with low frequency loss and tinnitus.

here are my numbers if that helps.
Freq-R/L 500- 50/60, 1k- 60/70, 2k- 50/70, 3k- 50/55, 4k- 45/60, 6k- 40/40

Thank you!

In cases with low frequency loss you still want to reduce occlusion unless the tinnitus is low frequency humming in which case a bit of occlusion would be ok. Looking at your audiogram I would probably stick with a 1.5mm-2mm vent in both aids. Make sure the aid has good feedback cancellation though.

[click hearing]

Worth considering Widex Mind with their Zen function and Siemens have a couple of products which have a hearing aid/WNG combi. I would recommend that you get a hearing therapist involved as well though.

[Pman]

As a tinnitus retraining therapsit and Audiologist and I often use hearing aids to reduce tinnitus. In 95% of the cases I see the tinnitus is a symptom of the hearing loss, so correcting the hearing loss leads to a reduction of the tinnitus. You have to however pick your hearing aid very carefully and it needs to be set up very carefully to work effectively. You do not want to block the ear canal causing an artificial (occlusion) hearing loss, which would exagerate the tinnitus. So generally open fit devices if appropraite for your loss are the best. The aid also needs a frequency response range of up to 8Khz as tinnitus often occurs at 6-8KHz and the aid needs a trimmer at the 6-8KHz range to make sure sufficient gan can be delivered. The only aid in your trial which met all these criteria was the Dual M9. But the reduction effect would have probably been greater had the Audi artificially increased the 6-8Khz band.

Neuromonics is based on tinnitus retraining and works well, but they often have you purchase the neuromonics masker and then once your tinniuts retraining is done, they then give you hearing aids -making profit twice. I prefer prescribing hearing aids as the only step when required as it is equally (or more) effective and improves the hearing and the tinnitus at the same time and thus is more cost effective. I often use Audeo YES (any model), Oticon Dual m9, Dual W or XW, Unitron Next Moxi or Yuu Moxi as devices to achieve these goals.

Good luck
Hi there:

I have tinnitus also. Are you saying that a Unitron Moxi (say an 8 or 16) will help with tinnitus?

I have tried all of the following and had no help: Siemens Cielo Active, Rexton Gem, Oticon Delta, America Hears, Sonic Ion, Unitron Moda Conversa, and others that I cannot think of. What makes the Next Moxi so special. Every audi I go to says, "oh I can usually tune that tinnitus out". Hasn't happened yet and I'm sure there is nothing special about my T. Just regular noise induced T. So what is so great about Moxi? Why does everyone act like they can tune it right out and they can't.

Thanks.

[hearnow]

Hi there:

I have tinnitus also. Are you saying that a Unitron Moxi (say an 8 or 16) will help with tinnitus?

I have tried all of the following and had no help: Siemens Cielo Active, Rexton Gem, Oticon Delta, America Hears, Sonic Ion, Unitron Moda Conversa, and others that I cannot think of. What makes the Next Moxi so special. Every audi I go to says, "oh I can usually tune that tinnitus out". Hasn't happened yet and I'm sure there is nothing special about my T. Just regular noise induced T. So what is so great about Moxi? Why does everyone act like they can tune it right out and they can't.

Thanks.

Which Delta did you use as the Delta 8000 worked reasonably for tinnitus? The Unitron NEXT Moxi has a frequency response up to 7KHz, and a HF trimmer, which I don't think all the others have. It seems you tried a lot of last gen aids, but no new gen aids. The aud also needs to understand your tinnitus and must check tinnitus matching and tinnitus masking response to be able to determine a reasonable prognosis for your tinnitus. You MUST also understand your tinnitus as a grasp and understanding of what is actually happening in your brain takes the fear out of it, which reduces the emotional response, which is what keeps the tinnitus in the top of your mind.
So yes the right aid with the right aud can definately help.

[Pman]

Which Delta did you use as the Delta 8000 worked reasonably for tinnitus? The Unitron NEXT Moxi has a frequency response up to 7KHz, and a HF trimmer, which I don't think all the others have. It seems you tried a lot of last gen aids, but no new gen aids. The aud also needs to understand your tinnitus and must check tinnitus matching and tinnitus masking response to be able to determine a reasonable prognosis for your tinnitus. You MUST also understand your tinnitus as a grasp and understanding of what is actually happening in your brain takes the fear out of it, which reduces the emotional response, which is what keeps the tinnitus in the top of your mind.
So yes the right aid with the right aud can definately help.

I thought the Rexton Gem was a new gen HA...

The Delta was a 6000...

I have not really went to an aud, only fitters, unless you count an audioprosthologist as something akin to an aud.

I just find going to an aud an exercise in parting me with too much of my cash. I have generally tried the internet, costco and a local place that is a speech and hearing nonprofit, but does not have an aud.

I have no fear of my T. I've had it a long time and I can sleep without white noise, etc. Its during the daytime that it bothers and, I think it generally makes me irritable...

I currently am not wearing HA's but was going to go back to costco to try the Bernafon Verite, but if you think it is not as well equipped as a Moxi, I can try one off the internet. The 8 can be obtained for $1,000 each, and the Yuu for $1,600+.

I can't justify paying an aud $3,500 or $4,000 for an 8. The individual at costco thought I would notice an immediate reduction in T with the Gems. I tried them for almost 90 days before returning them.

Thanks.

[hearnow]

I thought the Rexton Gem was a new gen HA...

The Delta was a 6000...

I have not really went to an aud, only fitters, unless you count an audioprosthologist as something akin to an aud.

I just find going to an aud an exercise in parting me with too much of my cash. I have generally tried the internet, costco and a local place that is a speech and hearing nonprofit, but does not have an aud.

I have no fear of my T. I've had it a long time and I can sleep without white noise, etc. Its during the daytime that it bothers and, I think it generally makes me irritable...

I currently am not wearing HA's but was going to go back to costco to try the Bernafon Verite, but if you think it is not as well equipped as a Moxi, I can try one off the internet. The 8 can be obtained for $1,000 each, and the Yuu for $1,600+.

I can't justify paying an aud $3,500 or $4,000 for an 8. The individual at costco thought I would notice an immediate reduction in T with the Gems. I tried them for almost 90 days before returning them.

Thanks.

When I say "fear" it means any emotional response such as annoyance, irritation, frustration etc due to the unknown (not having control), not scared as such. I should also mention that you have pretty much 0% chance that a hearing aid programmed by someone over the internet is going to have the right adjustments to optimally help with your tinnitus. You might be able ot expect suboptimally (and if you're lucky reasonably) improved hearing, but without appropriate evaluation, counselling and fitting you need to make peace with the fact that things re your T will probably continue as is for the forseable future. I am not trying to scare you, I am just stating the facts from my 10 years of tinnitus retraining experience (and also being an ex tinnitus suffered myself).

I would say try the Verite as it is based on Oticon's Rite platform, of which some aids can amplify at 8KHz or above. At least you'll be seeing someone face to face. Just make sure you pick a model with a 6 to 8KHz trimmer and ask the fitter to up the gain in that region a bit. more than the software suggest. Maybe have them add multiple programs with ever increasing 6-8KHz gainto try and then pick the program you most like in your day to day use and have the fitter make that program 1.

I wish you the best of luck.

[ccvickers]

I'm trying to make a reasonable purchase, but I find that next to impossible to do.

Pman-
I really empathize with your situation! This is probably a long shot… I’m assuming that your insurance doesn’t cover, or covers very little of you HA purchase. Have you checked if perhaps treatment of your tinnitus would be covered separate from your hearing loss?

It infuriates me that the health insurance industry doesn’t widely acknowledge hearing deficit as a viable medical condition, much like vision deficit. :mad:

[Pman]

Pman-
I really empathize with your situation! This is probably a long shot… I’m assuming that your insurance doesn’t cover, or covers very little of you HA purchase. Have you checked if perhaps treatment of your tinnitus would be covered separate from your hearing loss?

It infuriates me that the health insurance industry doesn’t widely acknowledge hearing deficit as a viable medical condition, much like vision deficit. :mad:
Good thought. I will check the possibility of insurance covering tinnitus treatment / retraining, however, my insurance does not cover any of the cost of the HA's.

[PastorJeff]

I started with my first hearing aids, Kirkland Signatures, yesterday. Before being fitted the audiologist asked if I had tinnitus. My first response was "No," but then I corrected, "Well, now that you ask, I guess I do but I'm rarely aware of it. Now that I'm thinking of it I can tell it's there."

Well, I have to say that after one full day of wearing my aids it's now much louder and more intrusive - at least while the aids are on.

Anyone else have this experience?

Jeff

[hearnow]

I started with my first hearing aids, Kirkland Signatures, yesterday. Before being fitted the audiologist asked if I had tinnitus. My first response was "No," but then I corrected, "Well, now that you ask, I guess I do but I'm rarely aware of it. Now that I'm thinking of it I can tell it's there."

Well, I have to say that after one full day of wearing my aids it's now much louder and more intrusive - at least while the aids are on.

Anyone else have this experience?

Jeff
This is typically what could happen if the aid is chosen incorrectly or set incorrectly for tinnitus i.e. is not supplying appropriate high frequency amplification, or is too loud, or is too occluded or a combination of these. You might need to speak to the fitter at your follow-up to address this. Unfortunately I do not know anything about the signatures as they are not available in Australia to help you much more. All the same suggestions as I mentioned before would apply in yuor case too.

[withears]

I also have tinnitus and am doing research on how to reduce it. My first HA's (Tego Pro's) have a lot of circuit noise (amplifier hiss) which really cuts down the effect of T. As I am also researching on getting better aids for speech in noise, I have been trying out some other HA's. So far, the Starkey Destiny 1200 BTE's are good for speech in noise but no circuit noise. This sent my T. through the roof until I cranked up the gain until "I could hear a mouse cough". I then briefly tried the Destiny 1200 Power Plus at the suggestion of Starkey because it has a larger receiver and found that it has a similar circuit hiss to my old Tego's. Starkey told me that they can adjust the amount of circuit noise but my HIS thinks this is not true. Has anyone played around with adjusting the amount of circuit noise that is perceived?

[dunshawhearing]

It is true that hearing aids can be pricey, but medical insurance sometimes will cover some of the expenses. But a newer hearing aid is more advanced and will be more beneficial in the long run in helping cope with the tinnitus.

___
DSH

[hearnow]

It is true that hearing aids can be pricey, but medical insurance sometimes will cover some of the expenses. But a newer hearing aid is more advanced and will be more beneficial in the long run in helping cope with the tinnitus.

___
DSH

Hearing instruments are an investment that pays for itself through increased confidence, better quality of life and even increased earning power according to some studies and many more psychological benefits.

[DetLes]

Hearnow, I cannot agree more. Hearing aids have made feel so much better they were worth the price. My insurance only covered the audiologist's evaluation and that was only if I went to an ENT first.
Many years ago a ENT and his audiologist sold me a hearing aid for loss and they said tinnitus. They said since my T was mostly o the right side i should have a left ear aid. The audi did not T testing and I now know that the aid was not digital.
Since I was so disappointed in that HA I avoided the very idea of using one.
Recently i had to go and sought a audi with T experience (certified in TRT).
After extensive testing (most of my T is, unusually she said, in the 10K range) she suggested HA's.
First I tried Phonak Yes V's. I'm guessing by you they are the Audeo's. Wore them for a week and was floored. It was, an is, wonderful. T is still there but not near as obtrusive.
I next tried WileyX with ZEN, also the mid level ones. I found the white noise usuless and the Zen tones just OK, but I really disliked the sound of the Wiley amplification, so back to the Yes V's.
I got and ICOM so I could play my MP3 with ambient sounds on it through the Yes's.
I don't use my cell phone much. I had the audi turn down the occlusion when the ICOM is down (the preset is 7) to 3. I cannot hear stuff like an MP3 book if there is any outside noise but the lack of occlusion does keep the T down more then the original setting.

[Raudrive]

I too have tinnitus. It seems like the tinnitus is exactly what my audio gram shows. It is the ringing that blocks out sounds in all frequencies.

I am not rich so I bought a set of used Phonak Savia 111 hearing aids off EBay. They were for a similar type hearing loss but mine is worse. I am in the process of buying the Hi-Pro programing box and the CS44A cables to self program the aids.

These Savia aids go up to 6800 frequency, will they help with my tinnitus?

Thanks to everyone for the info on this site, it is great!

[hearnow]

I too have tinnitus. It seems like the tinnitus is exactly what my audio gram shows. It is the ringing that blocks out sounds in all frequencies.

I am not rich so I bought a set of used Phonak Savia 111 hearing aids off EBay. They were for a similar type hearing loss but mine is worse. I am in the process of buying the Hi-Pro programing box and the CS44A cables to self program the aids.

These Savia aids go up to 6800 frequency, will they help with my tinnitus?

Thanks to everyone for the info on this site, it is great!

You don't have much usable hearing in the high freuencies so 6800Hz frequency range is irrelevant. You will want it open fit and I would suggest you at least get the first fitting doen by an audiologist using Real Ear Measurements if possible.

[Raudrive]

You don't have much usable hearing in the high freuencies so 6800Hz frequency range is irrelevant. You will want it open fit and I would suggest you at least get the first fitting doen by an audiologist using Real Ear Measurements if possible.

Thanks hearnow.

The REM was not done by my audi. During the audio gram I was fitted with a set of Oticon Epoq XW aids. This was the first time ever a set of aids actually helped. I was tested with the aids on for speech recognition I believe. I did hear much better. I was pretty excited about hearing things that have not been heard in 25 plus years that I asked if I could walk around the office some to hear things. I was told no and they were taken off immediately.

When it came to money I asked it there were other aids that would help that were less expensive. I was told pretty much no. She sells Oticon only. I asked if I bought aids for less money else where would she help program them, she said no, I had to buy through her. I have called 2 other audi's in the area and they also will not help with programming unless I buy through them.

From the above you can see why I do want hearing aids. I have never worn aids and my lack of hearing is getting to be a big pain for everyone around me.

I do hope the Savia aids will help me hear and maybe lessen the tinnitus effect.

[hearnow]

Thanks hearnow.

The REM was not done by my audi. During the audio gram I was fitted with a set of Oticon Epoq XW aids. This was the first time ever a set of aids actually helped. I was tested with the aids on for speech recognition I believe. I did hear much better. I was pretty excited about hearing things that have not been heard in 25 plus years that I asked if I could walk around the office some to hear things. I was told no and they were taken off immediately.

When it came to money I asked it there were other aids that would help that were less expensive. I was told pretty much no. She sells Oticon only. I asked if I bought aids for less money else where would she help program them, she said no, I had to buy through her. I have called 2 other audi's in the area and they also will not help with programming unless I buy through them.

From the above you can see why I do want hearing aids. I have never worn aids and my lack of hearing is getting to be a big pain for everyone around me.

I do hope the Savia aids will help me hear and maybe lessen the tinnitus effect.

Most audi's should program th aids for a price though. I can now understand why you feel put in a position where you had to take the route that you have, which is quite unfortunate. I would say, keep ringing different auds in your area and see if someone could help you as the Savia's can be quite tricky to get just right as they are extremely flexible in their adjustment options and are easy to misprogram (even audi's get it wrong sometimes). I wish you all best of luck with this.

[xbulder]

Thanks hearnow.

The REM was not done by my audi. During the audio gram I was fitted with a set of Oticon Epoq XW aids. This was the first time ever a set of aids actually helped. I was tested with the aids on for speech recognition I believe. I did hear much better. I was pretty excited about hearing things that have not been heard in 25 plus years that I asked if I could walk around the office some to hear things. I was told no and they were taken off immediately.

When it came to money I asked it there were other aids that would help that were less expensive. I was told pretty much no. She sells Oticon only. I asked if I bought aids for less money else where would she help program them, she said no, I had to buy through her. I have called 2 other audi's in the area and they also will not help with programming unless I buy through them.

From the above you can see why I do want hearing aids. I have never worn aids and my lack of hearing is getting to be a big pain for everyone around me.

I do hope the Savia aids will help me hear and maybe lessen the tinnitus effect.
you could try a vigo pro connect, it could do the trick, price wise they are quite
inexpensive

[Raudrive]

Most audi's should program th aids for a price though. I can now understand why you feel put in a position where you had to take the route that you have, which is quite unfortunate. I would say, keep ringing different auds in your area and see if someone could help you as the Savia's can be quite tricky to get just right as they are extremely flexible in their adjustment options and are easy to misprogram (even audi's get it wrong sometimes). I wish you all best of luck with this.
It's going to be OK. I will figure the program out with the help of reading here and asking questions if needed. I am very persistent and will complete this properly.

The man I bought the Hi-Pro from is an audiologist in Florida. We talked at length today and he assures me I can figure it out. He has offered to help if needed. He is also giving me a set of cables for the Hi-Pro to Savia aids. The fitting program is getting down loaded as I write this post, very excited about all of this.

Last March I spent a couple weeks in Dalby, love all the people I met over there.

[Raudrive]

Hearnow,
This is a quote from you on another thread that hits me square on.
"The effect a skislope loss generally causes is that you can hear speech, but you have issues with clarity. i.e. You can't undestand speech, particularly when the speaker is not facing you. People with this configuration of hearing loss generally has more trouble hearing female or child or even storngly accented speakers and often has great difficulty understanding speech in background noise. The most common cause for this configuration is noise induced hearing damage, although there are a few other less likely conditions that could present with this configuration as well."

This is an excellent description of my hearing with lots of tinnitus.

By the way, I was able to download the Phonak programming program, iPFG 2.4a. It took about 4 hours and then had to be unzipped, I used the 7-Zip program. The Phonak iPFG 2.4a is a vast and helpful program. My Savia 111 dSZ were in its data base and they fell into my hearing loss profile as well as a few others. It will be very interesting doing this programming.

Thanks for your help.

[hearnow]

I certainly wish you all the best with this. We will try and answer wuestions where possible. Try to stick with the Phonak recommended settings to start off with an use them for 2 weeks before making any alterations as your brain needs to adapt to the sound first. Also make sure you are in a sound rich environemnt as the hearing aid can only amplify what is in the environment. Aviod silence and always have some background sound, such as soft music going to help tke your attention off the tinnitus.

[Raudrive]

I certainly wish you all the best with this. We will try and answer wuestions where possible. Try to stick with the Phonak recommended settings to start off with an use them for 2 weeks before making any alterations as your brain needs to adapt to the sound first. Also make sure you are in a sound rich environemnt as the hearing aid can only amplify what is in the environment. Aviod silence and always have some background sound, such as soft music going to help tke your attention off the tinnitus.

Thanks big time and will do.

I had planned on waiting 1 week but will wait 2.

Thanks again.

[Raudrive]

As you requested, I used the Phonak "Wizard" for programming the Savia aids. I did bump up the volume in a couple areas and left it alone otherwise. So far my family is impressed about the aids, I am too.

I have not noticed any lessening of tinnitus with these aids. Maybe down the road if I can come across a set of Audio Yes aids they will help.

Thanks again,

I certainly wish you all the best with this. We will try and answer wuestions where possible. Try to stick with the Phonak recommended settings to start off with an use them for 2 weeks before making any alterations as your brain needs to adapt to the sound first. Also make sure you are in a sound rich environemnt as the hearing aid can only amplify what is in the environment. Aviod silence and always have some background sound, such as soft music going to help tke your attention off the tinnitus.

[Davidb]

Here's a link to a summary of an interesting paper on tinnitus:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103102349.htm

Although tinnitus is said to be relatively rare in young adults, tinnitus according to the article is the most common injury to soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, presumably due to exposure to noise from weapons and explosions. The VA does provide lifelong coverage for treatment and corrective devices for hearing impairment that occurred during military service.

[bridgetbruston]

Hey that is great post..
Good sharing made by you friends.I am quite new hare,and have learn a lot from this discussions.Please keep sharing such informative updates..

[xeneks]

I think tinnitus is an EEG that we carry around with us. The sound reflects the functioning of a particular brain area. With effort and time you can change the area studied. You can probably turn it off if you want, but I would never want to. It is a skill that should be taught! Changes in volume, pitch and location are a direct result of changes in brain activity in various areas. I think of it now as... like having a penlight in a pitch black museum. there are all sorts of amazing things that can be studied, and you could even find the light switches given time, but you aren't going to get anywhere if you just stand there in the lobby staring at the light beam hitting the floor going 'who turned that on??!!'

I do, and can even now, hear my brainwaves change as I read. I hear what sounds like a digital wavering sound on both sides, but mostly in the middle. Freaky! When I listen to and write multilingual texts that I know poorly, my slightly higher pitched left hemisphere becomes active enough that I can just hear it in conjunction with my almost ever present super-loud right hemisphere. While I have spent the last 3 hours writing this post (edited down from 8 pages for simplicity) I have had a cacophony of different pitches and volumes in various areas. Beautiful! If I use my body, (physical activity) it frequently goes away, but I am lucky enough to be able to stay focused on it if I want. I wonder if my body's nervous system is much more quiet than my mind's? I have never heard my enteric nervous system. If I am totally relaxed with friends and not thinking it goes away. If I am anxious or self-aware with friends (more frequent) it is loud as ever. When I concentrate and work, it is like a loud analogue high pitched river of information! If only I could record it directly for analysis, and study a simultaneous matching 3D MRI brain activity scanner recording.. I think I could map it all out very quickly.

In my brain, I intend to get better at mapping the sounds with functions (reverse engineering), then I can find the areas the functions operate in, I think I can begin to use conscious neuroplasticity to reprogram myself. It will probably only take me another few years if I work hard! My hope is to be able to more quickly learn new languages by forcing my language processing areas to remain active while I am under tuition, and expand the physical size of these areas. Likewise, to keep active the mathematical areas while trying to count. :p) And to switch off or slow down visual and auditory processing areas, so I don't freak out other people by my habitual paying of close attention, while I continue to improve my maths and language skills. If I didn't have tinnitus I wouldn't even bother trying these things!


Oh, and a related hypothesis that I am testing - is that I suspect it is loudest when I am predominantly using myelinated axons while thinking. This is a new one - I might be very wrong here. Because whenever I get distracted enough to pay attention and learn something new, I rarely notice it at all.



EDIT: What does this have to do with hearing loss? Well, I think you just become more aware of it when you loose hearing, because the evolved neurological analogy to the sum of all wave functions of our awakened and active brain appears to us first to be an ever-present sound. I suspect someone with perfect hearing could chose to activate their tinnitus given focus on it. I suspect you could also develop the sensitivity to separate tinnitus from hearing given deliberate effort, just as hearing is different from touch or sound, regardless of your hearing abilities - but this probably depends on where the tinnitus 'wetware' actually resides, and how it is connected to the neocortex and other brain areas.