Amazon.com’s Best Books for Tinnitus Hearing Loss Relief
Tinnitus hearing loss causes constant, irritating ringing in the ears, and ear pain. There is no cure for tinnitus, but some therapies may ease the symptoms.
There is no “one” cure for tinnitus
The internet abounds with sites promising to deliver the magic cure you’ve been searching for- the secret to weight loss, an end to chronic pain, the magical fountain of youth, and of course, a guaranteed cure for the annoying symptoms of tinnitus that plague your waking…and sleeping…hours. The problem is, there is no one universal cure. Because the causes of tinnitus are diverse. They are:
- Age-related hearing loss
- Chronic ear infections
- Punctured eardrums
- Drug interactions
- Listening to music on your iPod with the volume set too high
- Working in a construction area
- Being near an explosion
- Cranial deformity
Remedies, we have a few
There might not be a permanent cure to end tinnitus, but many therapies, treatments, and nutritional supplements alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus, including:
- Tinnitus retraining therapy
- White noise
- Hypnosis
- Herbal and nutritional supplements, including Gingko Biloba, black cohosh, and CoQ10.
Here are 10 popular books on Amazon.com that will help you find relief from tinnitus:
1- Dizziness, Hearing Loss, and Tinnitus, by Robert W. Baloh, $169.99
2-Tinnitus, Turning the Volume Down: Proven Strategies for Quieting the Noise in Your Head, by Kevin Hogan, $19.99
3-The Consumer Handbook on Tinnitus, by Richard S. Tyler, $25.04
4-The Consumer Handbook on Hearing Loss and Hearing AIDS: A Bridge to Healing, by Richard Carmen, $12.88
5- Tinnitus: Questions and Answers, by Jack A. Vernon, $47.25
6- Help! I’m Losing My Hearing-What Do I Do Now?: A Basic Guide to Hearing Loss (and Other Ear Problems)
, by Neil G. Bauman, $47.60
7- Phantom Voices, Ethereal Music & Other Spooky Sounds: Musical Ear Syndrome, by Neil G. Bauman, $22.49
8- Save Your Hearing Now: The Revolutionary Program That Can Prevent and May Even Reverse Hearing Loss, by Michael D. Seidman, $18.50
9- Body Signs: From Warning Signs to False Alarms…How to Be Your Own Diagnostic Detective, by Joan Liebmann-Smith, $4.50
10- Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: Implementing the Neurophysiological Model, by Pawel J. Jastreboff, $45.79
Also read:
Finding Tranquility with Tinnitus, Part II: Homeopathy
Amazon.com’s Top 5 Best Selling Phones for the Hearing Impaired
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:
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 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 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
Millions of Americans suffer from tinnitus, a condition which is described as constant ringing in the ears. No tinnitus cure exists, but some remedies and life changes are helpful for coping with tinnitus symptoms.
This year, Tinnitus Awareness Week falls on May 15-21.
About 50 million Americans experience tinnitus hearing loss, but not all of them realize it or are bothered by it. The severity of tinnitus symptoms can range according to the level of ear damage or neurological disorder. Some tinnitus patients may report a mild buzzing in one ear, while chronic tinnitus sufferers may be plagued with loud phantom tinnitus noises in one or both ears. Frequency, volume and pitch differs by patient, as well as the type of sound described by various sufferers.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: the Sounds of Silence
Noises which have been attributed to tinnitus symptoms include:
- ringing
- screeching
- buzzing
- whooshing
- roaring
- chirping
- clicking
- hissing
Another phenomenon associated with tinnitus are auditory hallucinations, or musical ear syndrome, which have been described as familiar singing or speech sounds when none exist. Tinnitus patients have admitted to noticing and sometimes enjoying musical interludes, only to discover later that it was all in their heads. It’s important to note that these phantom sounds are neurologically based, and not in any way a symptom of mental illness.
Objective Tinnitus: It’s Not All in your Head
How is tinnitus caused?
Most people think that tinnitus and other hearing-related disorders are symptoms of old age; this is often the case, but a significant percentage of hearing loss also exists among children and young adults.
Besides hearing loss among the elderly, tinnitus symptoms are also caused by:
- Inner ear damage caused by loud noises and frequent in-ear headphone usage
- Chronic ear infections
- Jaw strain
- Drug interactions
- Eardrum damage caused by cotton swabs or other foreign objects
- Meniere’s disease
- Premature birth
- Excess earwax
- Family history
How can I prevent tinnitus?
Most of the causes of tinnitus are avoidable. Some good preventative measures go a long way towards preventing tinnitus and other forms of hearing loss.
- Always wear ear protection if you work in a noisy environment or attend frequent concerts.
- Wear swimmer’s ear plugs.
- Avoid in-ear style ear buds when listening to music.
- Keep the volume at a moderate level.
- Consult in your doctor before trying any new pain medications.
- Clean ears frequently by wiping with a soft cloth.
- Never stick cotton swabs or other pointy objects in your ears.
- Practice relaxation methods to avoid jaw tension.
5 Mistakes Tinnitus Sufferers Make
Confused about how much noise is considered too loud?
The NIDCD (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders) offers a handy Interactive Sound Ruler on their website to help you understand the difference between healthy volumes and eardrum-splitting noise decibel levels.
For more information on tinnitus, read:
When Children Suffer Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
Coming Soon: iPod Device to Treat Tinnitus
Sources:
http://pain.com/library/2011/05/16-tinnitus-awareness-week/
http://www.hearinglosshelp.com/articles/mes.htm
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/education/decibel/decibel.asp
Have researchers discovered a tinnitus cure which will put an end to chronic ear ringing? Scientists from the University of Western Australia (UWA) believe they hit upon a promising link to the symptoms of tinnitus.
Tinnitus is a hearing loss related condition which causes sufferers to hear constant ringing in the ears; sounds described as buzzing, sirens, clicking, whooshing and chirping have no relevance to any real existing noise. Severity of the tinnitus symptoms vary by pitch, volume and frequency. A tinnitus specialist must administer a hearing test in order to properly diagnose tinnitus. In certain situations, hearing aids equipped with background white noise are prescribed to alleviate some of the tinnitus symptoms, if not actually curing the tinnitus for life.
Also read: Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: the Sounds of Silence
Tinnitus is caused by age-related hearing loss, inner ear damage to the cochlea, excessive noise exposure, chronic ear infections and drug interactions. While scientists understand many of the basic causes of tinnitus, experts are still at a loss to understand exactly how tinnitus symptoms are produced.
There is now ample scientific research pointing to a particular set of nerve cells which controls how we perceive sound; scientists from UWA believe they are closer to understanding which part of the brain correlates with abnormal nerve cell activity responsible for causing hearing loss and tinnitus; a section of the brain previously ignored as a possible clue to finding a long-term cure for tinnitus.
Relying on an animal model which can be used to replicate tinnitus symptoms and monitor brain activity, researchers hope to link increased electrical behavior in a specific point of the brain’s circuitry with a direct cause for tinnitus and other ear problems. If successful, this discovery could open the door to developing a more effective tinnitus remedy.
Also read: Stop that Ringing in your Ears: Get Tinnitus Treatment Now
Associate Professor Wilhelmina Mulders, co-author of the study said, “If we can establish a direct link between this increased brain cell activity and tinnitus we may be able to move a step closer to finding a way to treat tinnitus.”
Their research is published in a paper, entitled Hyperactivity in the Ventral Cochlear Nucleus after Cochlear Trauma, was published in the Journal of Neuroscience.
Also read:
Objective Tinnitus: It’s Not All in your Head
Anxiety and the Brain: Stanford Study Discovers Off Switch
Sources:
Tinnitus is a condition which causes constant ringing in the ears; while in some cases “phantom” tinnitus symptoms are neurologically based, other tinnitus causes involve tinnitus sounds which can be heard by a tinnitus specialist.
Tinnitus is a hearing loss related disorder which affects millions of Americans. Although not a disease, tinnitus symptoms are caused by an underlying medical condition. Tinnitus sufferers hear constant ear ringing that is unrelated to any actual noise outside their bodies. Tinnitus sounds are described as ringing, clicking, roaring, buzzing or chirping sounds. Severity of the tinnitus symptoms determines the frequency, pitch and volume of the tinnitus noises.
What are the causes of tinnitus?
Tinnitus symptoms can arise from a variety of causes. In fact, there are hundreds of medications which are known to contribute to tinnitus.
Tinnitus is caused by:
- Age related hearing loss
- Noise induced damage to the inner ear, usually from long-term exposure to dangerously high noise levels, including loud music through iPod ear buds, manufacturing job shop noises, engines and explosions.
- Excessive ear wax
- Puncturing of the ear drum with a cotton swab or other foreign object
- Drug interactions, such as birth control, antibiotics, quinine, antidepressants and anti-inflammatories
- Medical conditions like Meniere’s disease, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) or chronic ear infections
- Also read: Which Came First- Tinnitus or Hearing Loss?
What is the difference between objective tinnitus and subjective tinnitus?
Subjective tinnitus emanates from the inner ear and is only heard by the tinnitus patient. Most cases of chronic tinnitus are subjective, and are believed to be caused by neurological disorders involving the cochlea of the inner ear and its communication with brain circuits which are responsible for interpreting sounds.
Objective tinnitus involves audible clicking sounds which are caused by bone structure near the inner ear. Tinnitus specialists are usually able to hear small noises caused by objective tinnitus. Objective tinnitus is the less common than subjective tinnitus.
Stop that Ringing in your Ears: Get Tinnitus Treatment Now
What tinnitus treatments are effective for curing tinnitus?
There are no known tinnitus cures which can stop tinnitus symptoms forever, but many promising herbs for tinnitus have been proven helpful for alleviating ear ringing and providing measured relief from chronic tinnitus.
- Ginkgo Biloba has been scientifically proved as an effective natural remedy for tinnitus, and is one of many nutrients which are combined in many tinnitus medications to treat the symptoms which cause tinnitus, such as high blood pressure, inflammation and constricted blood vessels.
- Tinnitus retraining therapy uses environmental background noise to banish tinnitus sounds. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: the Sounds of Silence
- Hearing aids help with tinnitus symptoms which are caused by hearing loss.
- Tinnitus maskers are wearable devices which provide tinnitus relief by competing with tinnitus ear ringing. Tinnitus Maskers: Relief is on the Way
- For more information on treatment of tinnitus, read The Many Causes of Tinnitus.
Sources:
Scientists have been trying to develop a tinnitus cure for the characteristically annoying ringing in the ears associated with tinnitus practically since the first caveman clubbed himself on top of the head to stop tinnitus buzzing sounds from driving him crazy. Over the years, some promising tinnitus remedies have given tinnitus sufferers relief, but as of yet no actual tinnitus cure exists to permanently stop tinnitus in its tracks.
Enter melatonin.
According to a study, researchers from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis found a correlation between the melatonin hormone and decreased tinnitus symptoms. Melatonin is produced by the brain to regulate our sleeping patterns; doctors often prescribe melatonin pills for patients with sleep disorders such as insomnia. Scientists believe that by guaranteeing a better night’s sleep, melatonin has the potential to significantly help tinnitus patients.
What are the symptoms of tinnitus?
Tinnitus is not a disease, but rather a hearing-related condition which affects millions of Americans. Tinnitus symptoms are constant noises in the ears, unrelated to any actual noises in the environment, and not heard by anybody else. These tinnitus “phantom” sounds are described as ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, chirping or screaming noises. Volume and frequency can vary in relation to the severity of the condition. Some tinnitus causes are old age, noise-induced inner ear damage, drug interactions and chronic ear infections.
Research points to melatonin for tinnitus treatment
- The study, which was published in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, focused on 18 elderly individuals who suffered from chronic tinnitus symptoms.
- Participants were questioned about the severity of their tinnitus symptoms and their regular sleep patterns.
- Scientists prescribed 3mg. of melatonin every day over the course of 4 weeks.
- Tinnitus patients were monitored during the 4 week course of melatonin, and for an additional 4 weeks following treatment.
- All of the elderly tinnitus patients reported that they slept better while taking the melatonin pills and also experienced fewer and less severe tinnitus ringing in the ears.
- Even 4 weeks after stopping the melatonin medication, participants said they continued to enjoy significant tinnitus relief, leading researchers to conclude that prescribing melatonin as a tinnitus medication could have some long-lasting benefits as a remedy for tinnitus caused by poor sleep.
5 Mistakes Tinnitus Sufferers Make
Stop the tinnitus circle
Constant ringing in the ears, clicking and buzzing sounds, and ear discomfort can make it difficult to get to sleep. Tinnitus patients often report become woken up in the middle of the night by loud roaring sounds; by morning they are fatigued and restless. Chronic tinnitus sufferers go through stages of deep depression, resulting from lack of sleep and desperation at not being able to find a cure for the tinnitus symptoms that torment them. Poor sleep leads to nervousness and anxiety, which in turn heighten the severity of the tinnitus symptoms, and the circle continues.
6 Anxiety Busting Tricks- Try Them Now!
While melatonin pills are helpful for providing more restful sleep to tinnitus patients, only a reduction of the symptoms which cause the tinnitus can effectively alleviate tinnitus for good. Exercise, meditation, and tinnitus retraining therapy have been proven beneficial for providing tinnitus relief. Also, increasing blood flow to the brain and flushing toxins are essential steps towards alleviating tinnitus. Dietary supplements containing vinpocetine, Alpha Lipoic Acid, niacin and folic acid have been tested by scientists and proven to be effective tinnitus remedies.
Also read:
Stop that Ringing in your Ears: Get Tinnitus Treatment Now
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: the Sounds of Silence
Sources:
Can increasing background noise levels provide tinnitus relief to sufferers?
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is a method of treating the symptoms of tinnitus which many tinnitus sufferers find helpful for reducing the incessant ear ringing produced by tinnitus. TRT is a habituation therapy which includes counseling and utilizes environmental sound enrichment through the use of wearable and stationary noise generators to alter tinnitus patients’ perception of sounds which are associated with tinnitus.
What are the symptoms of tinnitus?
Tinnitus patients often complain of constant ringing in either one or both ears, but other noises have been attributed to tinnitus, including buzzing, clicking, roaring, whooshing and chirping sounds. Based on the severity of the condition, there are variances in volume, pitch and frequency. One common denominator in all individuals who have been diagnosed with tinnitus is that the sounds they hear have no correlation with actual noises in their environment. Rather, the noises are generated from within the inner ear.
Tinnitus: Why am I More Likely to Suffer Ringing Ears than Others?
What causes tinnitus?
Many people erroneously believe that tinnitus and other hearing-related conditions are always a symptom of old age and hearing loss. In fact, increasingly more young adults are being diagnosed with tinnitus symptoms as a result of noise-induced inner ear damage. Frequent concert goers and in-ear earbud iPod users are at risk for developing tinnitus, as are servicemen in the military or air force. Other causes of tinnitus are chronic ear infections, secondhand smoke, nighttime teeth grinding and jaw tension, puncturing of the eardrums, excessive earwax or medications such as anti-inflammatories, quinine, antibiotics and antidepressants.
Also read: The Many Causes of Tinnitus
How does sound enrichment help tinnitus patients?
Many tinnitus sufferers employ tinnitus retraining therapy tactics even if they don’t realize it. Anybody who consistently prefers to leave the television on in the background, finds relief from the churning sounds of the dishwasher or has difficulty sleeping without some soft radio music instinctively knows how many tinnitus retraining therapists aid their patients in reducing their tinnitus symptoms, that the only way to drown tinnitus ringing is to give it a little competition.
What kinds of sounds are used for tinnitus retraining therapy?
There are various forms of white noise which provide relief to tinnitus sufferers. Many individuals find that listening to environmental noise helps them to subconsciously tune out tinnitus ringing or buzzing, whether it be the continuous downpour of a gentle rain shower, crickets softly chirping in the forest or even the monotonous humming of the busy city streets.
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The main goals of TRT are to establish a certain sound that gives relief to the tinnitus patient and to deliver that sound effect continuously through wearable noise generators. With time, the patient might gradually wean off TRT, finding true silence without the need for background noise.
Also read:
Is TMJ Causing Your Tinnitus? 7 Exercises to Release Jaw Tension
Sources:
Prevent tinnitus ringing in the ears with these 5 tips:
Tinnitus is a hearing-related condition which affects millions of Americans, causing them to hear phantom noises in their ears; frequency, volume and pitch can vary according to the amount of damage to the inner ear.
Common tinnitus symptoms include continuous ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking or chirping sounds in one or both ears. Tinnitus sufferers also sometimes complain of a feeling of fullness in the affected ear.
Tinnitus causes can be age-related hearing loss or a result of excessive noise exposure; movie actors, musicians, job shop workers and people who have served in the military are at high risk of tinnitus ear damage caused by frequent loud noises, such as explosions, music and hammering.
Stress Less to Prevent Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
Chronic tinnitus patients often feel anxious and depressed, finding no respite from their tinnitus symptoms even in sleep, as they are often jarred awake by high-pitch tinnitus ringing or clicking sounds. A sense of hopelessness permeates their day, as their is no known cure for tinnitus, only some coping mechanisms and herbal treatments which help to alleviate many of the symptoms and causes of tinnitus.
Here are 5 no-no’s which might be causing your tinnitus:
1) Too much sodium
We know sodium upsets the balance of fluids in your body, and that includes the fluids in your inner ear. Eating too many salty foods or adding excessive amounts of salt to your meals can aggravate tinnitus symptoms, particularly in the case of Meniere’s disease.
2) Caffeine addiction
Caffeine found in coffee, tea and chocolate can cause high blood pressure, a known contributor to chronic tinnitus symptoms. The Mayo Clinic suggests limiting your caffeine intake to 300mg (2-4 cups of brewed coffee) per day, and not exceeding 500mg.
3) Frequent alcohol consumption
Alcoholic beverages dilate your blood vessels, causing high blood pressure. Individuals who have been diagnosed with tinnitus should avoid drinking more than the alcoholic equivalent of one cup of wine per day.
4) MSG
Monosodium glutamate, a sodium additive which is found in many food items, is widely recognized for its various unhealthy attributes, such as causing high blood pressure, to name one. MSG is found in soy sauce, making Chinese food a common red light item for people who suffer tinnitus, headaches or allergies.
Eat your Way to Better Hearing: Two Nutrients you should be Eating
5) High impact aerobics
An intense high-energy workout is an excellent way to raise your endurance level, burn calories, increase muscle mass and provide energy- if you’re fit enough for the challenge. For some, the bouncy, jolting movements can disrupt otoconia crystals in the inner ear, leading to ear damage such as hearing loss or tinnitus. Some exercises to avoid are football, soccer, running and volleyball. Opt instead for some low-impact exercises, which are less shocking to the system, such as brisk walking, low-impact aerobics classes and weight lifting.
Also read:
Is TMJ Causing Your Tinnitus? 7 Exercises to Release Jaw Tension
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Many tinnitus sufferers find comfort in playing some pleasing background music or sound effects in their homes; nature CD’s, indoor water fountains and white noise generating machines mask much of the pervasive crackling or rushing sounds which remain with them throughout their days and nights, making it difficult to rest or concentrate on work.
Some expensive hearing aid “masking” systems are available which produce a steady stream of white noise. Not sure if you’re ready for hearing aids or cochlear implants? Here are some popular and inexpensive alternatives:
- The soothing, nondescript sound produced by white noise generators reduces the buzzing, ringing and chirping noises which are typical tinnitus symptoms. Some models to look out for: Simply Noise, which is available as an iPhone or Android app, or Brookstone’s Tranquil Moments Sleep Sound Therapy System. She’ll love the ultra-feminine HoMedics SoundSpa Mini Pink Sound Machine, available at Walmart.
- Animated dolphins leap through lush waterfalls in this animated 3D wall decor; both captivating and calming to watch, features realistic sound and light effects, and volume and lighting control.
- Set your screensaver to an idyllic scene with melodic sound effects; the 3D Fantasy River Screensaver creates the illusion of splashing in a rippling creek with the forest as your backdrop, including realistic water movements and enchanting melody.
- Nothing is more relaxing than the sedate sound of water running over smooth stones. Set up an indoor water fountain in your bedroom for a lulling atmosphere conducive to restful sleep.
- Who says wind chimes are only for the outdoors? Hang one of these exotic bamboo wind chimes by an open window; the soft jingly effects will set a tranquil mood throughout your home. Made from non-endangered wood, hand-crafted in Bali. Choose one of many whimsical designs, such as the Asian bobbing-head crane, cowboy hat mobile or tubes painted with colorful butterflies.
- Do you enjoy falling asleep to the sound of rain tapping overhead? No need to wait for the next thunderstorm; download your own custom sound effects onto your iPod or smart phone. Partners in Rhyme lets you choose from a vast library of royalty-free, cost-free ambient sound effects, such as Rain & Thunder, City Sounds and more.
- Unwind while listening to one of these Soothing Sounds of Nature CD’s; listen to tropical waves or the sounds of the forest while driving or relaxing at home.
- Wake up to the Nature Sound 7 Color Changing Light Alarm Clock, featuring 6 different nature sounds, 7 vibrant color-changing lights and snooze control.
- The BBC Planet Earth Collection takes you through mountain forests, bubbling rivers, arid deserts, polar ice floes and balmy jungles- all to the hauntingly dramatic soundtrack composed by George Fenton and the BBC Orchestra.
- Various You Tube videos are available to set the mood for tranquility; this Gentle Rain video features rushing waterfalls and soft narration:
Image Credits:
HoMedics SoundSpa Mini Pink Sound Machine













