Twenty-seven million US citizens have some degree of hearing loss, but most people who need hearing aids are likely not to get them. 
According to a study published in the American Journal of Audiology, sufferers of tinnitus and hearing loss are often reluctant to make the decision to purchase hearing aids because of the stigma involved; they think only the elderly need hearing aid devices, or they worry that people will begin to treat them differently. Only 2% of people who would benefit from hearing assistance will ever put on a pair of hearing aids.
Tinnitus Maskers: Relief is on the Way
Below are some common myths and attitudes surrounding hearing aids. See for yourself if Bluetooth hearing aids or tinnitus masker hearing aids are for you:
Myth #1: Hearing aids are large and clunky.
Today’s hearing aids are nothing like the heavy, cumbersome hearing aid apparatuses of the old ages. Just as the revolutionary iPod changed the way Americans purchase and listen to music, so have digital and wireless technology transformed yesterday’s hearing aid devices into sleek, comfortable, custom-designed mini sound systems for your ears, providing better volume control and more discretion than ever before. For more information about hearing aid technology, read Europe Approved Dental Hearing Aid.
Hear are some of the types of hearing aids available to individuals suffering from hearing loss and tinnitus:
- Open-fit behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids: This invisible hearing aid sits behind the ear and transmits sound via a small, clear transparent tube. BTE hearing aids are lightweight- you’ll hardly know it’s there. Many brands come in a wide variety of colors.
- Receiver in canal (RIC) hearing aids: Similar to the BTE, the RIC hearing aids are also compact, natural-feeling and customizable. While the hearing unit sits behind the ear, the device’s receiver nestles snugly inside the ear canal, allowing better sound amplification while still providing comfort and discretion.
- In-ear hearing aid devices: These hearing aid devices are custom made; a mold is made of the ear canal in order to insure proper fit and comfort. With in-ear devices, the entire unit is inside the ear canal.
Myth #2: Hearing aids don’t really work.
The severity of your hearing loss or tinnitus symptoms determine how effectively hearing aids will restore your hearing. Modern hearing aids are technologically superior to yesterday’s hearing devices, but no piece of machinery will give you 100% perfect hearing. Still, hearing aids, if used properly and regularly, will restore enough hearing to carry conversations easier, understand without “lip reading” and separate competing sounds in a crowd. Most people who make “the leap” in agreeing to get fitted for a hearing aid have no regrets, and have found their living quality greatly improved by their decision. Also read Gear Up to Prevent Hearing Loss: Five Things you Should Buy Now.
Myth #3: Hearing aids hurt your ears.
Obviously, wearing nothing behind or inside your ear would be most comfortable, but today’s hearing aid units are a lot easier to get used to than ever before. With pricing ranging from the hundreds to the thousands, hearing aid manufacturers are competing to provide consumers the most innovative, comfortable, convenient, attractive-looking and effective hearing aid devices on the market.
Myth #4: Only old people wear hearing aids.
Actually, about 50% of hearing-impaired people are adolescents and young adults. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 15% of Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have severe hearing loss due to ear damage caused by loud noised in the workplace or at home. Also, over 41 thousand adults and 25 thousand children in the US have received cochlear implants to improve their hearing. For more information on hearing loss among young people, read Hearing Loss in the Younger Generation.
Myth #5: Young people who wear hearing aids are either stupid or mentally ill.
There is no correlation between hearing impairment and intelligence or mental health. There are a few factors which might contribute to this myth, including:
- Exhaustion: Wearing a hearing aid can be tiring at times; hearing-impaired people have to concentrate more to separate voices in a crowded room and to focus on people are saying to them. It’s no wonder that people who wear hearing aids sometimes seem fatigued and distracted, but that does not mean they are slow or mentally impaired.
- Reluctance to confide: Deaf people in the workplace often worry about prejudices towards the hearing impaired, so they’re not likely to come out in the open about their disability. Some younger hearing-impaired individuals deny having hearing loss, insisting that only the elderly need hearing assistance. Conversely, no special allowances are made in the workplace to help employees who have hearing loss because the issue is just never discussed. In order to raise hearing loss awareness in the workplace, both parties, the hearing-impaired and their employers, have to be able to open the lines of communication.
Also read:
When Children Suffer Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
Hearing Loss and Baby Boomers: Is Anybody Listening?
Sources:
American Journal of Audiology, HealthyHearing.com, Hear-it.org, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD
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
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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.
What is tinnitus?
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.
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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:
Do you suffer from tinnitus ringing in the ears? Before you can get tinnitus treatment, you must visit the doctor for a hearing test, as a common cause of tinnitus symptoms is hearing loss.
What are the symptoms of tinnitus?
Tinnitus symptoms are characterized by incessant noises in one or both ears that are not caused by any actual noise around you, nor are heard by anybody else. Sufferers of tinnitus usually describe the sounds they hear as ringing in the ears, but tinnitus symptoms can vary. Other tinnitus patients complain of constant roaring, whooshing, clicking, whistling, chirping or buzzing sounds in their ears. Other factors can vary according to the severity of the tinnitus symptoms, including noise frequency, volume or pitch of tinnitus sounds. Also, the condition can occur in one ear only, or both ears at once, or it can fluctuate between ears. It is not uncommon for a tinnitus sufferer to go through phases when the tinnitus symptoms are inactive, only to resurface later. Occasionally a person will experience the symptoms of tinnitus only once in his entire lifetime.
What causes tinnitus?
About 50 million people in the US have experienced or currently suffer from tinnitus symptoms. Tinnitus is not a disease, but rather a hearing loss-related condition which happens as a result of contributing factors or causes. Tinnitus can occur in old age, and frequently is accompanied or followed by hearing loss. However, tinnitus symptoms can also be caused by inner ear damage. The cochlea of the inner ear is responsible for translating sound signals, so any significant damage to the inner ear canal can result in tinnitus symptoms and hearing loss.
Examples of inner ear damage which can cause tinnitus ear ringing are:
- Puncturing of the eardrum with cotton swabs or other hard, pointy objects
- Noise-related ear damage caused by in-ear iPod ear buds, exposure to loud special effects, engines, machinery or concert music
- Chronic ear infections
- Meniere’s disease
Sometimes tinnitus is caused by drug interactions, such as anti-inflammatories, birth control, antibiotics or quinine medication. Always tell you doctor if you think a new medication might be giving you tinnitus symptoms.
How do you get treatment for tinnitus?
See a physician if you are experiencing any consistent ringing in the ears. An ENT or audiologist can give you a proper diagnosis. According to most scientists, there is no actual cure for tinnitus, but some treatment options are available. Tinnitus maskers are helpful for reducing some of the tinnitus noises; tinnitus retraining therapy involves wearing a noise generator which produces a competing sound, such as environmental noise, thereby “shushing” the tinnitus ringing noises. Tinnitus sufferers have also found relief by practicing meditation, yoga and visualization.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: the Sounds of Silence
Much research has been done on the health benefits of gingko biloba for tinnitus and hearing loss symptoms. Gingko biloba has been used for hundreds of years to treat depression, fatigue and dementia. Because it increases blood flow, gingko biloba is also effective for treating hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches and other conditions which are caused when constricted blood vessels restrict blood flow through the head.
A list of other popular tinnitus treatments are available on the American Tinnitus Association website.
Also read:
Thrill Rides and Scuba Diving: Summertime Activities that Cause Tinnitus
When Children Suffer Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
Sources:
American Tinnitus Association, MedicineNet, Mayo Clinic
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.
HoMedics SoundSpa Mini Pink Sound Machine
- 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.
Cohasset Blue Butterfly 13 Inch Wind Chime
- 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.
Nature Sound 7 Color Changing Light Alarm Clock
- 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
Tinnitus been keeping you up nights? The constant ringing, whispering, or buzzing is enough to drive anybody mad. While it is not a disease (medically speaking, tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying condition), and there is no actual “cure” for tinnitus, there are remedies and strategies which are available to help you cope or reduce your tinnitus symptoms.
Before you visit an audiologist, determine that the cause of your tinnitus is not a result of actual ear damage; the following checklist will help you decide if a trip to the doctor’s office is necessary:
- Cut out caffeinated products.
- Remove earwax with hydrogen peroxide or over-the-counter earwax removal systems.
- Quit smoking, at least long enough to see if tinnitus symptoms disappear. (You might even decide to stay smoke-free!)
- If noise exposure is a part of your work environment, remember to wear ear plugs.
- Try relaxing; sometimes tinnitus is caused by excess stress.
- Various homeopathic remedies are available to help reduce and alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus.
If tinnitus symptoms persist even after following these tips, you might need to visit an audiologist.
Here are some questions your audiologist will ask about your symptoms of tinnitus:
- Which ear is troubling you most, or is it prominent in both ears?
- Is the ringing constant, or are there moments of silence?
- Do the sounds vary by day, noon or evening, or do you experience the symptoms of tinnitus regardless of the time of day?
- Does the sound you hear have a high or low pitch?
- Is the noise loud, soft, or does the volume vary?
- Do certain medications or caffeinated beverages exacerbate your symptoms of tinnitus?
- Is your tinnitus making it excessively difficult for you to work, sleep and concentrate?
- On a scale of 1 to10, how bothered are you by your tinnitus?
Answering these questions accurately will bring you one step closer to naming the cause of your tinnitus and finding relief through proper tinnitus treatment.
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Music legend Phil Collins, renowned former lead singer of Genesis and accomplished musical choreographer, is stepping off the stage of his career. The 60-year-old performer has announced that health problems, including hearing loss, have made it impossible for him to continue as a musician.
Phil Collins on the cover of Rolling Stone
Did chronic noise exposure make the music die?
Your ears can only handle so much stimulation; hearing loss and tinnitus, a condition where sufferers hear a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears, are common ailments of musicians, as exposure to unhealthy levels of decibels is one of their occupational hazards. Jam sessions, never-ending concert line-ups and frequent iPod ear bud usage all account for irreversible damage to the cochlea in the inner ear.
Celebrities raise tinnitus awareness
How much is too much?
The National Institutes of Health define noise induced hearing loss as damage done to the ears as a result of constant exposure to loud noises greater than 75 decibels. Comparatively, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets a safety standard of no more than 110 decibels. Musicians, stunt men and individuals who have served in the army or the air force are constantly exposed to decibels much greater than the amount advised by health experts; as a result they are most likely to suffer from irreversible hearing loss and tinnitus.
How can we protect our hearing and avoid the symptoms of tinnitus?
- If you work in an setting which requires constant exposure to loud noises, be vigilant about wearing protective earplugs.
- Avoid wearing iPod ear buds; opt instead for volume-controlled safe headphones which can be purchased on the internet.
- Listen to music on a moderate setting.
- Turn off the television or radio when not engaged; don’t be tempted to keep them on as “background noise.”
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Tinnitus sufferers know these symptoms all too well: constant buzzing, even in a “quiet” room, recurring crackling or clicking sounds in the head, anxiety, depression and difficulty relaxing and sleeping.
Often tinnitus is caused by ear damage due to exposure to loud sounds, frequent iPod earbud usage and in many cases, old age.
Below are some homeopathic remedies which are used to treat tinnitus:
- Ginkgo Biloba- Researchers have proven that ginkgo biloba leaf is beneficial for the treatment of tinnitus and other hearing-related illnesses. Scientists explain that the extract taken from the leaf of the ancient ginkgo biloba tree enhances blood flow to the ears, thus reducing some of the irritating buzzing sounds and clicks which accompany tinnitus. Ginkgo biloba extract is also used to treat attention deficit, depression, anxiety, dizziness and headaches.
- Lipoic acid- The antioxidant power of lipoic acid is known by medical practitioners who treat patients for cancer; its ability to enhance the free-radical-killing attributes in other antioxidants such as grape seed extract, making it a viable choice for warding off ear infections.
- Zinc- Otology and Neurotology published a report, The Role of Zinc in the Treatment of Tinnitus, which reveals a correlation between tinnitus symptoms and low zinc levels. Of the tinnitus who received zinc tablets, 82% reported a noticeable decrease in their symptoms.
- Black Cohosh- It is believed that tinnitus is sometimes caused by low serotonin; according to a University of Illinois study, chemicals found in this North American herb are beneficial for improving serotonin receptors.
- Ginger- Chinese healers used ginger extract for boosting the immune system; its powerful properties include improving circulation, decreasing nausea and destroying harmful bacteria and viruses which might damage hearing.
- Garlic- The antiseptic qualities in garlic are beneficial for generating circulation, killing harmful bacteria and boosting the immunity. Sufferers of tinnitus who experience frequent respiratory problems have found the severity of their symptoms reduced through supplementation of odorless garlic.
Sources:
Livestrong, National Institute of Health, Healing.About.com, American Cancer Society, Otology and Neurotology
Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from tinnitus, a constant buzzing, roaring or chirping sound in the inner or outer ear. While some head noise is normal, individuals with severe tinnitus are plagued with incessant babble throughout their day. Routine activities such as checking one’s email and driving to the market become unbearably difficult and full of distractions. Many patients of this incurable disease fall into bouts of anxiety and depression.
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus is often caused by exposure to loud noises; musicians and army soldiers make up for a large percentage of its patients. Health experts predict an increase in tinnitus and other hearing-related diseases as a result of the popularity of noise-cancelling iPod earbuds which produce unhealthy levels of noise waves and may cause permanent ear damage.
Musicians warn teens to lower the volume
Most people are unaware of this affliction; many probably have it and didn’t realize they were not alone. Celebrities such as Wil.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and William Shatner are trying to change all that.
Wil.i.am told the Sun that music is his only escape from the constant ringing of tinnitus; much of his success can be attributed to his inability to slow down.
Music is his only escape
“I don’t know what silence sounds like any more. Music is the only thing which eases my pain,” says the singer for the Black Eyed Peas.
Jack Black, famous for his rowdy rocker persona, also warns teens to protect their hearing in this YouTube video:
Heavy metal drummer Lars Ulrich of Metallica, who also suffers from tinnitus, delivers his speech on hearing loss in this video funded by H.E.A.R:
The Tinnitus Foundation released this montage of famous people with tinnitus, including Pete Townshend, David Letterman, Barbra Streisand and Ronald Reagan.
William Shatner and co-star Leonard Nimoy were often exposed to loud eruptions on the sets of the Star Trek films. In his video for the American Tinnitus Association, William Shatner describes an explosion during filming which forever altered his hearing ability.
