Don’t Let Tinnitus Ear Noise keep you up
Tinnitus ear ringing makes it hard for tinnitus sufferers to concentrate and have conversation, in addition to causing sleep disturbances such as insomnia.
Tinnitus- the Hearing Disorder that Never Sleeps
People who suffer from hearing loss often have difficulty listening to music, hearing conversation at close range, making phone calls, and hearing important traffic signals. For many, relief comes in the form of a hearing aid or cochlear implant.
For tinnitus patients, the suffering can be nonstop. High-pitched, annoying ringing or buzzing sounds haunt their days, and often their nights, causing them to awaken in the middle of the night to tinnitus clicking or whooshing noises. For that reason, there is a high correlation between tinnitus and insomnia.
White Noise Sound Machines- The 5 Best Reviewed by Customers
Learn how to Fall asleep, even with Tinnitus
Insomnia caused by tinnitus can become a vicious circle of sleeplessness, unless you learn how to doze off quickly, and effortlessly.
Here are five important tips for getting your eight hours of sleep every night:
- Don’t go to asleep until you’re tired. This may seem redundant, but the key is to avoid lying around in bed and thinking about getting to sleep, thus turning your bedroom into a place associated with stress and frustration. Your bedroom should be a happy comfort zone, so don’t allow yourself to spend more than 10 or 15 minutes tossing and turning in your bed.
- Make your bed a “sleep only” zone. Some people like to watch TV in bed, or read a book, finish crossword puzzles, or check their email. This is a bad bedtime habit. Instead, read in a favorite chair stationed in a corner of your room, or retreat to the living room to watch television.
- Can’t sleep? Leave the room immediately. If after 10 minutes, you are still unable to fall asleep, then get up and go to another room. Do something relaxing, anything that usually puts you in a sleepy mood. Avoid worrying, or doing anything stressful, like paying bills or thinking of family problems. Also, avoid doing housework, or anything productive, lest you find yourself with an unwelcome midnight ritual.
- Don’t nap! For insomniacs, there is no such thing as a power nap. Even a ten-minute catnap in the middle of the day could easily turn into a 3-hour siesta that will leave you feeling groggy, headachy, and out of sorts.
- Set your alarm clock, and don’t snooze. Regardless of whether or not you slept well the night before, you should stick to a very strict sleep schedule. Wake up at the same time each morning, including weekends and holidays, and go to sleep the same time each night. Resist te urge to whack the snooze button. The first few days will be tiring, but eventually, you will be so tired at night that you won’t be able to stay awake a minute past bedtime.
Related reading:
Speaker Pillows for Tinnitus Therapy- 8 Comfy Music Pillows
14 Things to do Instead of Listening to Tinnitus Ear Ringing
Sources:
6 Easy Steps to Falling Asleep Fast
Tinnitus – insomnia and sleep problems- Better Health Channel
Learn how to Ignore Persistent Tinnitus Noise
50 million Americans suffer from tinnitus ear ringing, but only 12 million ever seek tinnitus treatment. Learn simple ways to ignore…and stop tinnitus noise.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a hearing disorder that causes you to hear “phantom” sounds that only you can hear. Sounds vary in pitch, frequency, and duration, and may fluctuate from one ear to the other. Tinnitus patients often use the following words to describe their tinnitus ear noises: ringing, whooshing, buzzing, chirping, clicking, crackling, screaming, roaring, crickets, hissing, beeping, and in rare cases, music. Free Digital Photos
What causes tinnitus?
Sometimes tinnitus results from damage to the cochlea of the inner ear; in such cases, hearing loss may 
follow. People who run a high risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss are individuals that regularly expose themselves to dangerously high noise decibels, such as explosions, loud music, construction site noise, job shop manufacturing, and engine noises. Alternatively, tinnitus may result from chronic ear infections, puncturing of the eardrum, and medications such as pain relievers and antidepressants. Free Digital Photos
7 Most Harmful Trickle-Down Effects of Noise Pollution
Is there any treatment for tinnitus?
While there is no actual cure for tinnitus, some treatments are helpful for alleviating most of the symptoms. Popular tinnitus therapies include tinnitus retraining, sleep pillows, hearing aids, and nutritional supplements. Overwhelmingly, though, most tinnitus patients eventually learn to “ignore” their tinnitus noises until they no longer notice them.
How do you ignore loud, persistent tinnitus ringing?
It’s not easy to ignore something that stays with you all day, as is the case for most people who suffer from chronic tinnitus. If tinnitus noises are interfering with your ability to relax, sleep, work, hold a conversation, or listen to music, then it’s imperative that you learn how to ignore the “elephant in the living room.” Easier said than done, but it is possible.
Here are some activities that may distract you from overwhelming tinnitus ear ringing:
- Listen to the radio, or to an environmental noise CD. Many tinnitus sufferers find relief through nature sounds such as rainfall, crickets, beach waves, and forest sounds. Read: White Noise Sound Machines- The 5 Best Reviewed by Customers
- Turn on the TV, or pop in a DVD, even if just for the background noise. For many tinnitus patients, nothing is more agonizing than (near-complete) silence.
- Turn on your computer, and surf the web for a while. Check out some helpful websites and blogs for tinnitus sufferers. Read: 40+ Best Tinnitus and Hearing Loss Sites
- Start a simple art project, such as painting, mosaics, or decoupage. Free Digital Photos
Read a good book, like a thriller, romance, or humor novel.- Exercise! Run around the block, dust off your elliptical machine, walk your dog, or do a few laps around the mall.
- Clean the house- nothing’s more soothing to a tinnitus sufferer than the steady hum of a vacuum cleaner.
- Organize your garage, or other work area. Free Digital Photos
- Take up woodworking, or sewing. The repetitive movements and background noises can be therapeutic for tinnitus patients.
Go for drive- your focus will be on the road and street sounds, not on your inner ear noises.- Do a crossword puzzle.
- Call friend on the phone- it will help for relieving stress, and break the tinnitus cycle.
- Turn on a fan; the gentle whooshing noise of a floor fan is one of the best sounds for “shushing” tinnitus ear ringing.
- Fold laundry- not only will it keep you busy, but the sound of the clothes dryer will silence annoying tinnitus ringing. Free Digital Photos
Sources:
Related reading:
Speaker Pillows for Tinnitus Therapy- 8 Comfy Music Pillows
Tinnitus Symptoms Making you Turn to Sleeping Pills? Read about Side Effects of Sleep Drugs
These 4 Vitamins are Tops for Treating Tinnitus
Fall Asleep Quickly; Sleep Well the Whole Night…Finally
If tinnitus ringing in the ears is keeping you up nights, then you might benefit from white noise. Environmental music “shushes” the buzzing in your ears, allowing you to sleep peacefully. Speaker pillows are a popular sleeping aid for tinnitus sufferers; just plug in your MP3 device, such as an iPod, and choose your favorite relaxation sounds for tinnitus therapy.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: the Sounds of Silence
Below are 8 effective, moderately priced music MP3 pillows that are available online:
1- SoftSpeaker Pillow Speaker, $19.95
By C. Crane, the SoftSpeaker Pillow Speaker is a tiny music speaker, about the size of your hand. Place it on top of your pillow, or underneath. The soft, plush pillowcase protects the speaker system, while providing you ultimate comfort. The SoftSpeaker comes with a one-year warranty.
The original Sound Pillow features two small removable speakers, concealed within a twin-sized hypoallergenic fiberfill, poly-cotton shell pillow. Plug the attached cable into an iPod, MP3 device, iPhone, CD player, sleep machine, or laptop, for convenient tinnitus treatment. Let one of their relaxation CD’s soothe you into a refreshing slumber. SoundPillow.com
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3- Sound Oasis Sleep Therapy Pillow, $49.99
Designed to accompany the Sound Oasis Sound Therapy Systems, the Sleep Therapy Pillow is also compatible with all MP3 devices, CD players, and television sets.
10 Ways to Mask Tinnitus inside your Home Without Hearing Aids
4- Boombox Speaker Cushion, $19.99
This novelty pillow is a great gift for a young tinnitus sufferer. Increasingly, teenagers and young adults are falling into the ranks of tinnitus patients, due to dangerously loud music, iPod in-ear headphones, and excessive Bluetooth use. Prop this boombox-shaped pillow by your bedside, attach iPod, and say goodbye to tinnitus whooshing sounds. ThinkGeek.com
5- Sleep Tunes Music Pillow, $59.99
The Sleep Tunes Music Pillow from Sharper Image features a comfortable memory-foam cushion. Sink into your pillow each night while listening to one of Sleep Tunes’ relaxing nature tracks, or choose from your own tinnitus environmental sounds playlist. The Sleep Tunes Music Pillow can be set to turn off after thirty or sixty minutes.
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6- Memory Foam MP3 Neck Pillow, $19.93
If tinnitus noises bother you throughout the day, then you’ll appreciate this MP3 neck pillow, featuring soft, squishy memory foam. Take it with you to the office, on the road (passenger only), or on the plane for effective tinnitus therapy.
7- Ellery Sound Asleep Comfort Pillow, $31.64
The Ellery Sound Asleep Comfort Pillow has a 100% cotton cover and hypoallergenic polyester fiberfill, for nighttime comfort. This MP3 pillow can also accommodate your smartphone, iPod, radio, and TV.
8- NECKii Pod Travel and Leisure Neck Pillow with Speakers, $24.99
This ergonomically designed travel pillow is compact enough to slip into your purse or carry-on bag, or to clip onto your beach tote. The Neckii Pod Travel and Leisure Neck Pillow features a retractable universal MP3 connector. Measures 10″ L x 4″ W, and the cotton-spandex removable cover is washable. Bed, Bath and Beyond
Related reading:
Tinnitus Symptoms Making you Turn to Sleeping Pills? Read about Side Effects of Sleep Drugs
Stop that Ringing in your Ears: Get Tinnitus Treatment Now
Smartphone Applications for Deaf Consumers
It’s a new day and age for those with hearing loss, thanks to Android.
Smartphones, such as the iPhone and Android, have opened up a world of communication possibilities for today’s telecommuter. From Sprint and Think Mobile, now even the hearing-impaired can enjoy the convenience of Android technology, such as Google and chat. Android also offers helpful applications to aid the deaf communities, such as transcriptional voicemail, captioned calls, and updated news information about hearing-loss treatments and awareness.
Coming Soon: iPod Device to Treat Tinnitus
Here are some excellent Android apps to look for:
Sprint Relay ID pack: Sprint has released an Android package aimed at benefiting individuals with partial hearing loss, deafness, and tinnitus. The new bundle includes Google Voice, Captionfish, Video Relay, TuneWiki, a captioned video player, and a handful of devices to notify you of important messages and dates.
ClearCaptions, by Purple Communications, allows people with hearing loss to read their phone calls in a text message, featuring almost-real-time service that’s compatible with web browsers and the iOS platform.
Hamilton Mobile CapTel works with most smartphones and hands-free headsets that are compatible with hearing aids and cochlear implants. With a Hamilton Mobile CapTel account, your cell phone becomes a captioned-enabled device for the deaf. Make and receive calls from any location, and read your incoming conversations on your smartphone screen. Service is available twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week.
Hearing Aids are for Old People, and Other Nontruths
DeafNation is a popular website for the hard of hearing, featuring updated video content, news coverage, social networking, and special events. Now, you can access DeafNation from your Android smartphone.
Evernote picks up where sticky notes left off. Deaf individuals often rely on note taking for quick communication with non-signers. With Evernote, you can keep an updated list of most-often used messages. You’ll never need to rewrite the same memo all over again, and you can forget about frantically searching for a pen or sharpened pencil.
Related reading:
Top 5 Noise Cancelling Headphones
How Loud is Too Loud? Prevent Tinnitus Now
Sources:
Sprint Launches Bundle of Android Apps for Hearing Loss Applications
Hearing Sparks: The Top 8 Android Apps for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Hearing Dogs that Alert you of Emergencies, and More
Have you always wanted to adopt a trained service dog for the hard of hearing, but didn’t know where to start? Does it sound like an endeavor that would take a lot of time, money, or commitment that you don’t think you have? Perhaps you just need to gather some more information on the various assistant dog training for the hearing impaired programs that are available, many of which get their animals from dog rescue societies.
It’s a match made in heaven
Adopting a hearing dog is really a win-win situation. Trainers with an eye for picking out intelligent, well-behaved dogs regularly search nearby animal rescue shelters for canine candidates. The ones considered trainable receive a new home, and eventually, a “person” to assist. Everybody benefits!
Doggie services
Originally, service guide dogs were only available to assist the blind, but new developments in animal behavioral studies have opened the doors to a wide range of animal services. Various programs pair qualified dogs with trainers who teach them to help with hearing-impaired individuals and many with physical disabilities and illnesses.
- Hearing dogs assist the hearing-impaired in many ways. They can fetch you the telephone, alert you when somebody is at the door, “lend” you their ears on a walk, and most importantly, alert you when a smoke detector sounds off.
- Animal therapy dogs help children with special needs, such as autism. Many autistic children learn to communicate, follow directions, and relax just by having a specially trained dog by their side.
- Handicapped individuals benefit greatly by housing a guide dog. Large dogs, such as Golden Shepherds or Labradors, help by aiding with the wheelchair, fetching items, and bringing them their medicine.
- Epileptics have more time to prepare for a seizure with a trained dog at their side. Many signal dogs have a natural ability to sense epileptic seizures or migraines mere minutes before they arrive, and with training can alert their owners in time.
- US veterans who suffer disabilities related to war injuries benefit greatly by their service dogs.
Where can I find more information about adopting a service dog?
Many websites are available that can help you find a local assistance dog training program, in addition to answering questions about caring for your dog, introducing him to friends and relatives, and your legal rights as the owner of a service dog.
Here are 15 great sites to get you started:
- Assistance Dogs International has chapters all over Europe and North America. They specialize in training and placing guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs for deaf people, and specially trained service dogs for individuals with mental and physical disabilities.
- Can Do Canines Assistance Dogs is based in Minnesota, but also extends services to Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, and parts of Illinois. They provide service dogs that meet a wide variety of needs, including mobility, deafness, diabetes, autism, and seizures.
- Canine Companions for Independence is a California-based organization that trains Labrador and Golden Retrievers as service and hearing dogs. They have chapters throughout the United States, and they provide service dogs and follow-up services free of charge.
- Dogs Ears and Paws is a non-profit organization based in Maryland that humanely trains dogs for assisting those with special needs, handicaps, and hearing loss.
- Dogs for the Deaf has been rescuing animals for 33 years, and they have trained 33,000 dogs for Oregon’s hearing-impaired.
- Fidos for Freedom hearing assistance dogs finish a 2-3 year training course before they get assigned to a good home. This organization is also based in Maryland.
- Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a UK-based charity organization that trains dogs for assisting the deaf.
- International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP) is your hub for all things related to the raising and training of service dogs, from organizational advocates, resources, and veterinarian services, to behavioral approaches, forums, and puppy gear.
- International Hearing Dog, Inc. This nonprofit organization trains and matches hearing dogs for deaf people throughout the United States and Canada, free of charge.
- Midwest Assistance Dogs, Inc. Servicing hearing-impaired individuals all over the mid-western United States, this organization rescues animal shelter dogs and trains them to provide assistance with mobility, hearing, seizure alerts, and emotional therapy.
- NEADS/Nat’l Education for Assistance Dog Services is a New England organization that provides an intense on-faculty program in which prospective dog owners are required to dorm on the facilities for two weeks before taking their dog home. Nearly 100% of NEADS dogs come from animal shelters.
- Patriotic PAWS is a nonprofit organization that teaches service dogs and donates them to disabled American veterans.
- Service Dog Central is a great landing base for dog laws, forums, and updated newsworthy information related to assistance dogs.
- Service Dogs for America is located in North Dakota, and specializes is training dogs for hearing loss, seizures alerts, mobility assistance, and emotional support.
- Wolf Packs- Gear for Working Dogs is a great site that sells gear for your working dog, including patches, decals, backpacks, and collars.
Environmental Noise is bad for your Health
Noise pollution isn’t just annoying- it can be detrimental to your health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
If you live in an urban area, then chances expose yourself daily to dangerously high levels of noise pollution, described as anything above 55 decibels. Freeway and airport traffic noise, manufacturing plants, and overcrowded public spaces all amount to a lot of environmental noise. Even if you don’t live in a dense population, your chances of suffering the ill effects of noise pollution are high. If you attend indoor events like rock concerts, musical plays, or basketball tournaments, then you are at risk for developing tinnitus and hearing loss, along with a myriad of other symptoms linked with noise pollution. Top 5 Noise Cancelling Headphones
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) quotes, “Problems related to noise include stress related illnesses, high blood pressure, speech interference, hearing loss, sleep disruption, and lost productivity.”
Below are the 7 most common conditions caused by noise pollution:
1- Hearing loss:
Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common result of overexposure to noise pollution. Scientists have confirmed that 8-hour exposure to noise levels above 85 dB causes severe ear damage. How loud is 85 decibels? The amount of noise emitted by a large truck driving on the freeway is equivalent to 85 dB. Tinnitus has become a more prominent disorder among teenagers since the popularity of iPod in-ear listening devices. How Loud is Too Loud? Prevent Tinnitus Now
2- Decreased communication skills:
In a study published by the EPA, scientists noted that prolonged noise exposure weakens our ability to communicate effectively, causing symptoms such a difficulty concentrating, indecision, faltering speech, confusion, stress, and impatience. 20 iPad Apps for Hearing Loss
3- Sleep problems:
High levels of noise make it difficult to get a full night’s sleep. Sleep disturbances often lead to insomnia, which creates stress, anxiety, depression, mood swings, and lowers our immunity. Tinnitus Symptoms Making you Turn to Sleeping Pills? Read about Side Effects of Sleep Drugs
4- Heart conditions:
Since noise pollution causes stress, anxiety, and insomnia, then long-term exposure to constant, loud noise eventually creates cardiovascular difficulties. Hypertension, elevated heart rate, and the hormonal flight-or-fight response are common side effects of stress caused by excess noise. Additionally, sudden wakefulness in the middle of the night from a loud noise causes a heart response that could be harmful. Finding Tranquility with Tinnitus, Part I: Relax the Mind
5- Psychiatric disorders:
Noise pollution doesn’t cause psychosis, but it does exacerbate symptoms in the mentally ill. Persistent and loud noise contributes to anxiety, stress, headaches, mood swings, aggressiveness, phobias, and antisocial behavior. In addition, in a report on noise pollution and its effect on general mental health, individuals such as the elderly and young children who lacked the ability to cope with loud noise exposure suffered a weakened sense of well-being. British Singer Frightened by Tinnitus Symptoms
6- Lost productivity:
Noise pollution impairs our cognitive functioning, according to many studies. Whether at work or at school, our ability to complete an assignment efficiently and timely becomes compromised when loud noise is a factor. Noise pollution negatively affects our reading comprehension, learning and problem-solving skills, work performance, ambition, and socio-emotional development. When Children Suffer Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
7- Agitation:
According to some clinical studies, persistent low frequency rumbling noises produced feelings of aggression, discontent, fatigue, despair, anxiety, and distractedness in test participants. While the behavioral changes were subtle, they influenced daily activities and social manners, such as loud slamming of doors, avoidance of neighbors, and proneness to accidents. 6 Anxiety Busting Tricks- Try Them Now!
Related reading:
5 Ways to Deal with Noisy Neighbors
40+ Best Tinnitus and Hearing Loss Sites
Treatments for Severe Hearing Loss
Sources:
Noise Pollution: A Modern Plague: Adverse Health Effects of Noise
Five Amplified Telephones with Rave Reviews
If you suffer from tinnitus or hearing loss, then you know how aggravating it can be to try to have a phone conversation. Tinnitus symptoms like constant ear ringing, buzzing, or whooshing can make it almost impossible to hear what the other person is saying. And if you suffer from hearing loss, then your chances of even hearing the phone ring are poor, let alone deciphering the caller’s message.
What is an amplified telephone?
What you need is a special telephone for the hearing-impaired. Amplified telephones are available in all stores that sell electronics, including Amazon.com‘s online store. Hearing-impaired features may include:
- Amplified handset audio
- Adjustable volume
- Hearing-aid compatibility
- Visual ringer
- Speakerphone
- Ringer controls
- Hands-free technology
- Crystal-clear reception
- Large, over-sized buttons and handset
- Caller ID
Tips on choosing the best phone for your needs
The best way to decide which phone to buy is to determine which features you need. If arthritis is a factor, then a desktop phone with jumbo push buttons like the Clarity Photo Phone is a good option. If you want to combine sound quality with hands-free convenience, you might prefer the Plantronics telephone, which comes with a headset that you can wear over the head or over the ear.
Here are the top 5 bestselling and highest rated phones for the hearing-impaired, as listed on Amazon.com:
1) Uniden Big Button Cordless Phone
This is the number-one highest rated amplified phone listed on Amazon, and for good reason. It brags an audio boost of up to 20dB with adjustable audio tones. Every time you receive a call, this phone lights up, flashes, and trills extra loud. You won’t ever miss a call, and the buttons are large and easy to press. Available with digital answering system. $43.81
2) Plantronics S12 Corded Telephone Headset System
Plantronics is the leader of sleek, innovative audio electronics, and their telephone system for the hearing-impaired doesn’t disappoint. It features a comfortable, noise-cancelling headphone, do-not-disturb indicator light, excellent sound quality, and volume control. $69.99.
3) Uniden Big Button Desktop Corded Phone
For those who prefer a more grounded corded phone, the Uniden Big Button model with speakerphone is the best choice. Nothing fancy here, just good quality, including large button display, 60-number Caller ID, 10 phone book options, and 3 one-touch buttons.
4) Panasonic Corded Speakerphone
Panasonic quality in an amplified desktop phone: the corded model has a speakerphone with 8-level volume adjustments, ringer volume with 3 settings, handset audio with 4 settings, redial, and call waiting buttons.
5) Clarity Amplified Photo Phone
This is the Rolls-Royce of phones for the hard of hearing. The Clarity Amplified Photo Phone has all the features you want, and more: it’s hearing-aid compatible, easy to use, and has the potential to deliver audio up to 10 times louder than common telephones. The photo 1-touch buttons are its unique feature; paste a picture of your son, sister, caretaker, or good friend on one of the nine available speed-dial buttons; for now on, you can call them with just one tap of the finger.
Also read:
40+ Best Tinnitus and Hearing Loss Sites
Top 5 Noise Cancelling Headphones
Websites, Blogs and Forums for Tinnitus Sufferers and the Hearing-Impaired
Tinnitus ringing in the ears can drive anybody mad. Constant buzzing, shrieking, whooshing, or siren noises that nobody else can hear make it difficult to focus, relax, enjoy music, hear others or get any sleep at night. Tinnitus and hearing loss are both hearing disorders that often come as a pair, but not exclusively. Tinnitus symptoms may vary in frequency, pitch, volume and duration. Tinnitus sufferers experience symptoms in either one ear or both ears at the same time.
Tinnitus causes are:
- Age-related hearing loss
- Gradual inner ear damage caused by loud noises
- Chronic ear infections
- Drug interactions
- Meniere’s disease
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
This Tinnitus Awareness Week, Learn how to Cope with Tinnitus Symptoms
Below is a handy set of links to over 40 websites and blogs to help patients of tinnitus or hearing loss. They provide useful tips, resources, forums, support groups, and hearing-related product information. (* The starred titles are “Must See” favorites.)
Forums:
*Daily Strength Tinnitus Support Group Over 114 pages of forum topics related to tinnitus. Daily Strength is a wonderful resource for all health-related information.
Naked Scientists Discussion Forum Don’t be put off by the title. This forum is one of many interesting and unique science topics covered on this site.
Blogs:
The Healing Music Organization Read about “phantom” tinnitus noises.
Hearing Exchange This blog by Paula Rosenthal is no longer updated, but it has lots of great blog posts and links that are aimed at helping young adults with hearing loss. Worth the look.
I Love Ellie Sweet blog written by the mom of a hearing-impaired girl.
Linda’s Helps for the Hard of Hearing Tips about dealing with cochlear implants from a patient’s perspective.
*Lipreading Mom Shanna Groves manages this inspiring blog about deaf motherhood, hearing aids, and deaf rights.
*SayWhatClub More than a blog, it’s really a global forum for the hearing impaired, chock-full of blog articles, resources and links.
Associations:
Action on Hearing Loss (UK) Lots of helpful tools for British citizens who suffer from hearing loss.
*American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) ASHA is an organization that focuses on raising awareness of communication rights for the hearing impaired.
**American Tinnitus Association (ATA) The American Tinnitus Association just celebrated their 40th anniversary, and for good reason. They are the leading resource on the web for tinnitus information, services and medical support.
Australian Tinnitus Association
*British Tinnitus Association Excellence resource for tinnitus sufferers who require services in the UK.
Collaborative for Communication Access via Captioning
Euro Tinnitus Association (English site)
Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) The HLAA is a website devoted to helping the hearing-impaired find support.
International Federation of Hard of Hearing People (IFHOH)
Tinnitus Association of Canada
Helpful Sites:
ABILITY Jobs Ability aids disabled individuals in finding employment.
Acoustic Simulations Listen to a simulation of music through cochlear implants, in addition to other samples.
*Captionfish Locate movie theaters and blockbusters in your area that provide captioning for the hearing-impaired.
Handspeak Informative site for individuals wishing to learn American sign language.
*Hear It Hear-it has a wide selection of newsworthy articles related to tinnitus and hearing loss.
Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers (H.E.A.R.)
*Listen Up Excellent landing base for hearing loss information, including hundreds of links, articles and resources.
Medline Plus Interactive Health Tutorial on Tinnitus The National Library of Medicine site features this virtual lesson on tinnitus.
Microsoft Guide for Individuals with Hearing Impairments Learn how to access hearing-impaired functional tools from Windows 7, Windows Vista, Internet Explorer 8, and Microsoft Office 10.
New York Times Health Guide: Tinnitus
Useful Services, Products and Gear:
Ability Hub Ability hub displays assistive technology devices for the disabled.
Cochlear Cochlear is the world leader in advanced hearing solutions website, including nucleus cochlear implants and the BAHA system.
*Dogs for the Deaf “Dogs for the Deaf” rescues dogs from animal shelters and trains them to aid deaf and autistic individuals.
Healthy Hearing Healthy Hearing is an inclusive site for information about buying hearing aids for tinnitus or hearing loss.
Hearing Pocket Hearing Pockets are comfortable alternatives to traditional cochlear implant harnessing for children. The 100% cotton shirts and onesies have a convenient pouch for storing cochlear implant devices.
Kidlfyx Kreations Creator of custom designed accessories for bone anchored hearing aids (BAHAs), including a sporty baseball cap and sweet headband. They also have a cute selection of earbud covers.
SleepPhones SleepPhones are soft headphones that are comfortable enough to wear to sleep and plug into any mp3 device. Excellent for accessing white noise tinnitus therapy, the fleece headbands are nonirritating and double as a sleeping mask.
Sound Oasis White noise is an effective therapy for hushing the annoying symptoms of tinnitus. Sound Oasis sells a variety of therapy systems for utilizing environmental background noise in curing tinnitus. White Noise Sound Machines- The 5 Best Reviewed by Customers
Tinnitus: Questions and Answers, Jack A. Vernon (Amazon Books) Frequently asked questions about tinnitus written by the author of “Tinnitus Today” magazine and founder of the Tinnitus Clinic.
You’ll also like:
The A to Z of Tinnitus Remedies
Tinnitus symptoms are continuous ear ringing, buzzing or hissing in the inner ear that only the tinnitus sufferer can hear. Tinnitus sufferers may experience ringing in the ears all day, or it may come and go in phases. Tinnitus noises may also vary in pitch and volume, depending on the amount of inner ear damage to the cochlea, a network inside the ear that is crucial for good hearing. While there is no long-term cure for tinnitus, experts have agreed that certain vitamins can be beneficial for alleviating the effects of hearing loss and tinnitus.
Below is a list of the 4 best vitamins for tinnitus relief:
Vitamin A
The cochlea of the inner ear stores large amounts of vitamin A, and relies on sufficient stores in order to receive and interpret sound efficiently, according to Dr. George E. Shambaugh Jr, author of “Healing with Vitamins.” In his book, Dr. Shambaugh recommends vitamin A, in conjunction with vitamin E, as an effective tinnitus treatment. Good sources of vitamin A are orange fruits and vegetables, such as cantaloupe, yams, carrots and pumpkin. Tuna and spinach are also high in vitamin A.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is essential for a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B12 affects the way we touch, taste, see and hear, so it is not surprising that vitamin B12 deficiency leads to symptoms such as altered taste perception, visual disturbances, numbness or tingling, and chronic tinnitus. One Tel Aviv study, which focused on Israeli servicemen with tinnitus, found a high correlation between symptoms of tinnitus and vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 occurs naturally in lean meats, fish, eggs and dairy products.
Magnesium
Magnesium is another essential vitamin, which is included in many tinnitus remedies. Nutritionists believe that a magnesium deficiency corrupts the ability of the cochlea to function properly by constricting vessels that lead to the inner ear. Magnesium occurs naturally in food sources such as brown rice, bananas, beans and oats.
Zinc
Zinc is another nutrient that is associated with tinnitus and hearing loss. A study featured in Otology and Neurotology determined that low levels of zinc may be a cause of tinnitus. The University of Michigan Health System reported in 1985 that 25% of tinnitus sufferers who had low zinc levels noticed a marked reduction in tinnitus symptoms when they increased their zinc intake. Foods that are highest in zinc include oysters, wheat germ, veal liver and sesame seeds.
Read more about tinnitus treatment and prevention:
5 Mistakes Tinnitus Sufferers Make
Gingko Biloba as a Treatment for Tinnitus
Stop that Ringing in your Ears: Get Tinnitus Treatment Now
Top 5 Noise Cancelling Headphones
Sources:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/261616-vitamins-for-ringing-ears/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8639287
http://www.ehow.com/about_5468633_vitamins-tinnitus-relief.html
http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/zinc.php
Because Tinnitus Noise is One Thing…
If you suffer from tinnitus, then you know how difficult it is to get some quiet time. Tinnitus symptoms range from mild buzzing in one ear to screeching, deafening high-pitch ringing in both ears. If you’re able to get a full night’s sleep, then count yourself lucky; many chronic tinnitus patients are woken up frequently by phantom hissing or clicking noises resonating from the inner ear.
If you’re a tinnitus sufferer with a noisy neighbor in a thin-walled apartment complex, then your chances of enjoying a few moments of serenity are twice as unlikely; you might be able to ignore tinnitus ear ringing for a while, but try ignoring an apartment tenant with an electronic drum set, a 3-piece subwoofer speaker system, and no particular allegiance to noise ordinance laws. Short of soundproofing your own walls, your only chance of getting some peace and quiet is to ask your neighbor to keep the noise pollution down.
How Loud is Too Loud? Prevent Tinnitus Now
Here are 5 steps to getting your neighbor to turn down the volume:
1) Be open: Give your neighbor a call, introduce yourself, and explain to him that you can hear his drum solos, that it’s making it difficult for you to work, relax or sleep, and give him a chance to respond. You might also want to explain that you have tinnitus, a condition which amplifies certain sounds, hurts your ears, and makes it difficult for you to get enough sleep. Now might also be a good time to explain to him that many musicians also suffer from tinnitus, due to overexposure to loud musical jam sessions, such as the type he engages in frequently.
2) Confront him in person: So, the phone call didn’t work. Calmly knock on his door, remind him of the nice chat you had on the phone, and ask him, once again, to please turn down the volume of his speaker set. Or better yet, could he please put on a pair of headphones? Invite him to come into your apartment and see for himself just how soundproof the walls AREN’T.
3) Do your homework: Now it’s time to dig in deep and do some research on your city’s noise laws. Send him a formal letter, highlighting all the legal options you are entitled to, and point out that you would much rather not resort to police involvement. Make a reference to previous noise complaints on your behalf. Keep a copy of the dated letter for future reference.
4) Call the cops: If your neighbor continues to ignore your attempts to come to a peaceful resolution, then call the police. Explain to them that you tried on several occasions to get your neighbor to keep the noise level down, and that he refuses to oblige. They will likely take down your address and make a house call. Usually, one visit from a police officer is all it takes to show your neighbor that you will not tolerate the noise any longer. He may not like confronting you when you’re upset, but he’ll like it even less when you’ve got a man in blue on your arm.
5) File a noise complaint: You may have the most stubborn (or deaf) neighbor in history. Your only option now is to file an official complaint with your jurisdiction. Provide detailed accounts of all previous communications with said neighbor, including a copy of your initial letter of protest. Once the matter is handed to the authorities, they will contact you with a court date or attempt at mediation.
More noise-related reads:
White Noise Sound Machines- The 5 Best Reviewed by Customers
Top 5 Noise Cancelling Headphones
Gear Up to Prevent Hearing Loss: Five Things you Should Buy Now
Source:
http://www.ehow.com/how_8302909_ask-neighbor-turn-down-music.html#ixzz1NoLYHOmi
