Tinnitus

[JJ_BPK]

Originally Posted by RoninSpartan

Damnit! I got hit by an IED and now my ears wont stop ringing. Just got back from Audiology and scored a 75 on my left ear. , you guys are right sleeping is the worst part

Two(2) years ago you were ask to fill in your profile.

Do you know why you have FTFSI attached to your profile???

[Surf n Turf]

Hope this helps some with tinnitus
SnT

The brain zapper that could help ease the symptoms of tinnitus
A device that stimulates the brain with electric impulses may ease symptoms of tinnitus.
According to new research, the treatment can reduce nerve cell activity in the brain, so reducing the tinnitus sensation.
Two new studies have shown that the technology – which is already being used to treat depression, eating disorders, chronic pain and migraines – can be effective and that for some tinnitus sufferers the benefits can last for six months or more after therapy ends.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...-tinnitus.html

[fng13]

I also have tinnitus and like some have already said I don't remember a time when I didn't have it. I have been shooting guns and playing the drums since I was very young and didn't always where hearing protection. I did almost always when shooting but almost never when playing the drums, I just didn't know I was never told that it could damage my hearing. Sometimes my ears almost hurt like a burning sensation, I am not sure if this is related or not but assume it is.

While I'm posting I have a question about preserving my hearing. I usually just wear orange soft plugs when I go to the range, is that enough or should I also use muffs? I have a pair of the surefire plugs that should be hear soon and have read that 80dbs is safe opinions? (I have read the posts regarding the surefire plugs I am more curious if you actually find 80dbs safe).

Thanks,

Fng

[dadof18x'er]

I saw a commercial on tv today about this product..http://www.quietrelief.com/

anybody try it? they send out a free sample.

[Odd Job]

I recently developed tinnitus in my left ear, I have had it for two months now. In the evenings it is like an electronic tone that may start up suddenly and then tail off to a low whine. In the mornings it is a hissing sound, like gas escaping from those old aircon units. There is a dull ache within the ear also, like you get sometimes if you come out of the pool with cold water in your ear.

I saw the ENT last week, got a hearing test and pressure test and physical exam. It looks good, symmetrical hearing within normal range. He told me that ear wax can cause this, but I don't have any, he can see all the way to the eardrum.
They are less concerned about it since I have good hearing but have recommended a radio on a timer to help me sleep at night.

Tomorrow I am booked for an MRI of both internal auditory meati. They don't expect to find anything as I have good balance and no dizziness or nausea, but they are just being careful. The ENT told me that tinnitus is not something that is fully understood and that in many cases these examinations are negative: no cause is ever found. I empathise with people who have it, because in quiet situations like trying to sleep or writing an exam, it is really bothersome.
If I find anything useful from that scan I'll post it here.

[Odd Job]

Had the MRI today, IAMs and brain. Well, besides the revelation that I do in fact have something between my ears, there was nothing abnormal found.
Sigh.
Looks like I will join the group of people who must shrug and live with it.

[BrainStorm]

Originally Posted by Odd Job

Had the MRI today, IAMs and brain. Well, besides the revelation that I do in fact have something between my ears, there was nothing abnormal found.
Sigh.

I'm sorry for your troubles.

Hope this makes you smile. After an MRA of my head I asked the radiologist what they found? He responded, "Nothing." I guess I was not as lucky as you.

[500 Proof]

Have a little bit of tinnitus already. Grew up near a indian reservation, and me and friends blew off firecrackers by the thousands, and then I bought an ipod. God I was an idiot! Can't really hear past 15000 hz, which is pretty bad for someone my age.

[zauber1]

Originally Posted by fng13

While I'm posting I have a question about preserving my hearing. I usually just wear orange soft plugs when I go to the range, is that enough or should I also use muffs?

IMHO you should use both earplugs AND muffs if at all practicable. I have found out the hard way that once a bit if tinnitus starts to show, it creates a vulnerability to further damage. After years of shooting a really large caliber duty weapon and service in Field Artillery, my tinnitus is a real bother.

Regarding VA compensation, I had a documented 111211 PULHES rating on enlisting and at discharge had a 111311 documented. Do you think that this would warrant filing a claim with the VA? I applied immediately after discharge for hearing loss and was denied. I did not know that I should have filed a claim for tinnitus and no one at the VA told me I should (vested interest I think now).

[PSM]

Scientists have found a way to ease chronic ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus, by stimulating a neck nerve and playing sounds to reboot the brain, according to research published Wednesday.

There is currently no cure for tinnitus, which can range from annoying to debilitating and affects as many as 23 million adults in the United States, including one in 10 seniors and 40 percent of military veterans.

<snip>

"We believe the part of the brain that processes sounds -- the auditory cortex -- delegates too many neurons to some frequencies, and things begin to go awry," he said.

To fix that, researchers used rats to test a theory that they could reset the brain by retraining it so that errant neurons return to their normal state.

In rats with tinnitus, they electrically stimulated the vagus nerve, which runs from the head through the neck to the abdomen, in combination with playing a certain high-pitched tone.

When stimulated, the nerve can encourage changes in the brain by releasing chemicals such as acetylcholine and norepinephrine that act as neurotransmitters.

Rats that underwent the pairing of noise and stimulation experienced a halt to the ringing sounds for up to three and a half months, while control rats that received just noise or just stimulation did not.

An examination of neural responses in the auditory cortexes showed normal levels in the rats who were treated with the combination of stimulation and sound, indicating the tinnitus had disappeared.

The treatment "not only reorganized the neurons to respond to their original frequencies, but it also made the brain responses sharper," the study said.

"The key is that, unlike previous treatments, we're not masking the tinnitus, we're not hiding the tinnitus," said Kilgard.

"We are returning the brain from a state where it generates tinnitus to a state that does not generate tinnitus. We are eliminating the source of the tinnitus."

Breitbart

So, after I re-boot, will I be able to hear a mouse piss on cotton again?

BTW, how did the rats tell the researchers that they had tinnitus?

Pat

[Badger52]

Originally Posted by zauber1

IMHO you should use both earplugs AND muffs if at all practicable. I have found out the hard way that once a bit if tinnitus starts to show, it creates a vulnerability to further damage. After years of shooting a really large caliber duty weapon and service in Field Artillery, my tinnitus is a real bother.

Regarding VA compensation, I had a documented 111211 PULHES rating on enlisting and at discharge had a 111311 documented. Do you think that this would warrant filing a claim with the VA? I applied immediately after discharge for hearing loss and was denied. I did not know that I should have filed a claim for tinnitus and no one at the VA told me I should (vested interest I think now).

I will second the recommendation for both muffs & plugs if feasible.

I have the kind Mitch described previously, which is no fun, acquired through a combination of isolated loud trauma events and sustained exposure to the fans & "HVAC-like substances" in various signal vans over the years. It can seem to nearly dissipate, resume with no apparent cause, or come on with the presence of a simple non-dB specific noise-peak as typical as the screech of a grandchild, or as innocuous as the snapping shut of a Zippo.

The VA monolith does what any monolith does, it exists, and will do the same thing in the face of no new information. If you've been unsuccessful on a tinnitus claim and have not contacted the State Vet Svcs Officer in your county you have missed a resource. There is specific guidance given to them, both written, and gained by joint conference discussions on how to help you further in this particular area with navigating the VA. I'm blessed with having an oustanding (and forthright) VSO, as well as counting a couple other good ones in surrounding counties as friends, and they share information with VA claims people who, in essence, tell them how to get around the apparent obstacles. No promises implied, not all VSO's are created equal, but it's worth pursuing.

huh?

[Gypsy]

Originally Posted by PSM

BTW, how did the rats tell the researchers that they had tinnitus?

Pat

Good question.

[Red Flag 1]

Five pages single spaced.

[Oldrotorhead]

Originally Posted by zauber1

IMHO you should use both earplugs AND muffs if at all practicable. I have found out the hard way that once a bit if tinnitus starts to show, it creates a vulnerability to further damage. After years of shooting a really large caliber duty weapon and service in Field Artillery, my tinnitus is a real bother.

Regarding VA compensation, I had a documented 111211 PULHES rating on enlisting and at discharge had a 111311 documented. Do you think that this would warrant filing a claim with the VA? I applied immediately after discharge for hearing loss and was denied. I did not know that I should have filed a claim for tinnitus and no one at the VA told me I should (vested interest I think now).

File the claim. There are organizations what will provide help of information if you need it. The Disabled American Veterans, VFW, American Legion, and others some states and counties also have Veterans offices.

FYI I don't think the VA people that provide care are there to advise you about claims. It seems to be two separate parts of the VA.

I know a lot of people have better information than I do, such as one of the groups listed above.

Good luck.

[zauber1]

Is there a statute of limitations on this? I was on active duty last during Desert Storm and I would think that this long amount of time passing would negate the claim as not being submitted in a timely fashion.