Tinnitus
Tinnitus is noise originating in the ear rather than in the environment.
Why tinnitus occurs isn't known, but it can be a symptom of almost any ear
disorder, including the following:
- Ear infections (chronic otitis media)
- Blocked ear canal (usually due to wax buildup)
- Blocked or impaired eustachian tube
- Otosclerosis
- Tumors of the middle ear
- Meniere's disease (buildup of fluid pressure in inner ear)
- Damage to the ear caused by drugs, especially excessive use of aspirin4
- Hearing loss
- Blast injury from a blast or explosion or sustained exposure to loud noise (stereo too loud)**
Associated with other disorders: anemia, heart and blood vessel disorders such
as hypertension and arteriosclerosis ,TMJ, low thyroid hormone levels in the blood
and head injury.
The noise may be a buzzing, ringing, roaring, whistling or hissing in the ears.
Some people hear more complex sounds that vary over time. The sounds may be
intermittent, continuous, or pulsating in time with the heartbeat. A pulsating
sound may result from a blocked artery, an aneurysm, a tumor in a blood vessel,
or other blood vessel disorders.
Because a person who has tinnitus usually has some hearing loss, thorough hearing
tests are performed as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and
computed topography (CT) of the temporal bone ( the skull bone that contains part
of the ear canal, the middle ear, and the inner ear).
Things that help:
- Follow a simple diet and use a whole food vitamin-mineral supplement
- A hearing aid often helps suppress tinnitus.
- Playing background music to mask the tinnitus.
- A tinnitus masker sometimes helps, (worn like a hearing aid; that produces pleasant sounds)
- For the profoundly deaf, a cochlear implant may reduce tinnitus.1
**Noise induced hearing loss is an increasing problem in our society today. When
the delicate mechanisms of the inner ear are assaulted by loud noises, a phenomenon
called temporary threshold shift occurs. IF you have ever walked away from a
concert or a construction site with a buzzing or hissing in your ears, or with
everything sounding as if you are underwater, you have experienced temporary
threshold shift. While overnight rest usually restores normal hearing this is
a sign that damage has occurred to the hair cells in your inner ear, and if
this type of damage is lengthy and / or repeated, permanent damage and hearing loss
will be the eventual result. Most people who develop noise-related hearing loss say
they were unaware that anything was wrong until they developed tinnitus or speech
became inaudible, but in fact, the damage begins long before that and temporary
threshold shire is a clear sign of it. This type of hearing loss is common in
train engineers, military personnel, and worker subjected to constant
industrial noise, as well as in hunters, and musicians (especially rock
musicians)...anything over 80-85 decibels. Recent National Institute of
Health (NIH) statistics indicate that as much as one-third of all hearing
loss is associated with loud noises, and while conclusive data are as yet
lacking, many researchers believe that more young people are losing their
hearing today than in previous years. The National Center for Health
Statistics reports that young people account for one-third of today's
hearing loss statistics. They also report that in most cases this type
of hearing loss could have been prevented.2
Things that protect:
- Wear ear protection when using loud appliances and when exposed to loud noises
such as shooting a gun. OSHA recommends using ear plugs rated for at least twice
as many decibels as you are exposed to ensure protection.
- Protect your hearing when listening to music. A guideline: can you hear the
telephone over the music? When using headphones, only you should be able to hear
the music. If others around you can, it is TOO LOUD.
- Reduce your cholesterol ..those with high cholesterol, have greater hearing
loss with advancing age. 4
Examples of Loud Noise: above 80-85 decibel level can cause permanent hearing damage
- 65-70 decibels...normal speech
(2 hours of video game arcade, or similar level.., can do damage)
(½ hour of exposure to 100 decibels will cause damage)
- 110 decibels...jackhammers
- 110 decibels...personal stereo
- over 110 decibels...rock concert
- 130 decibels....jet planes on takeoff
Toxins that cause sensory hearing loss: viral infections, metabolic disorders
such as diabetes, hypertension, and kidney problems, caffeine, tobacco, aspirin,
certain diuretics, and chemotherapy.
Allergies are linked with chronic ear infections and allergic conditions
such as asthma, eczema, hay fever and hives. Environmental allergens such as dust,
mold and animal dander are linked to inflammation and infection....especially in
the area where a person sleeps. Intolerance to foods such as wheat and diary
products may encourage ear infections and hearing loss. Removal of these items
from the diet may improve the hearing (especially in younger children.)
Research:
- One study from Copenhagen, Denmark found that eighty percent of patients NEVER need antibiotics. The study also revealed that if a child was treated for an ear infection with an antibiotic within the first day or two of the onset of symptoms, the child is much more likely to get another ear infection within a month. 5
- Another recent study, children treated with the antibiotics amoxicillin, pedizole and ceflacor fared no better than those given a placebo, and in fact, suffered recurrent middle ear fluid at a rate of two to six times greater. 6,7
- A study of 104 children with chronic ear infections, found 81 allergic to one or more foods. When the offending food was removed from the diet, 70 of the children experienced improvement.
- Another study found that 19 of 20 children's condition resolved with food allergy management when no other treatment had worked for them. 8
- Dr. Schmidt of Brookview Health Sciences in Anoka, Minnesota reports that researchers are beginning to find that important dietary, nutritional and an environmental correlation.
.... after measles or chickenpox, blood levels of Vitamin A remain down for six months to a year.
.... Children exposed to heavy metals such as lead and mercury during their mothers pregnancy are more likely to suffer chronic infections of ears, nose and throat.
.... U.S. children have the lowest levels of Vitamin E of any group in the industrialized world. (one half the level of Japanese children).
Note iron supplementation lowers immune function...do NOT give iron during an infection. 4
We must consider the role of food and food allergy in infections. Instead of
asking how can we kill this bacteria or virus, maybe we need to ask how we can
improve the immune system?
Supplements:
Gingko Biloba*: helps reduce dizziness and improve hearing loss related to
reduced blood flow by improving micro circulation.3
CellSparc 360*: l capsule daily. A powerful antioxidant, crucial in
effectiveness of the immune system and circulation to the ears.
Barleygreen* or Garden Trio*: most nutrient dense natural
vitamin-mineral source to maintain a balance of nutrients needed by the body.
Including: Vitamin C and beta carotene...strengthens mucus membranes. B12 prevents
hearing loss,**** Vitamin E antioxidant and increases circulation. Vitamin C
and bioflavonoids...needed for proper immune system. Magnesium is the core
molecule in chlorophyll (eat green!!!)***
***a study done of young military recruits in eight weeks of basic training.
Those with high blood magnesium levels sustained little hearing problems but
those with low levels, suffered much more noise induced damage.8
**** Study in Israel of 113 with average age of 39. Fifty seven had tinnitus as
well as hearing loss. Twenty seven had some hearing loss and the last twenty
seven had normal hearing. Measurement of B12 levels. Half with tinnitus and
hearing loss were low in B12 and nineteen percent of the normal hearing were
low in the nutrient. Researchers believe that B12 supplements probably do not
help once the loss is sustained...but it might prevent the damage.
*AIM Products
Best Diet: Fresh, unrefined, primarily vegetarian, without additives,
rich in complex carbohydrates--fruits and vegetables, Whole grains, beans, nuts
and seeds...in a wide variety
Omega 3 fatty acids. Reduces inflammation. Excellent sources: flax seed oil,
flax meal (substitute for nuts in recipes), or mix with Herbal fiberblend and juice and drink to add fiber)
"Hearing can be improved with a proper diet and supplements" James Balch M.D.
Special emphasis: Vitamins A, B, C,D and E and magnesium, and zinc.
- Vitamin A rich foods: green leafy vegetables, carrots, sweet potatoes,
broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, winter squash, apricots, cantaloupe and watermelon.
- Vitamin B complex (including B12) Green leafy vegetables, kelp, avocados,
carrots, brewers yeast, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, whole grains, wheat germ,
rice bran, dried sunflower seeds, soybeans, lentils, navy and kidney beans.
(B12 in Barleygreen, too)
- Vitamin C rich foods: red bell peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage,
grapefruit green peppers, lemons, potatoes, spinach, strawberries, sweet and hot
peppers, tangerine, and tomatoes.
- Vitamin D: 20 minutes of sunshine daily (take a walk outdoors or work in garden)
- Zinc Rich foods: maple syrup, black strap molasses, sesame and sunflower
seeds, soybeans, whole grains, wheat bran, wheat germ and yeast.
- Magnesium rich foods: green leafy vegetables, almonds, molasses, soybeans,
sunflower seeds, wheat germ, fruit.
Things to Avoid:
- Avoid saturated fats in diet..it promotes ear wax buildup.2
- Eliminate allergy foods: common allergy foods: dairy products, and wheat
- Avoid exposure to loud noise
References:
- Merck Manual (home edition) Merck Laboratories pg. 1005
- Prescription for Nutritional Healing . James Balch M.D. Avery Pub. 1997 pp. 303-306
- Kieijnen, J and Knipchild, P. Gingko Biloba Lancet 340 no. 8828 (Nov 1992)1136-1139.
- Alternative Medicine Deepak Chopra M.D. Future Medicine Publishing 1997 p. 702-705
- Diamant, M and B ,Abuse and Timing of Use of Antibiotics in Acute Otitis Media, Archives of Otolaryngology 100 no.3( Sept 1974):226-232.
- Cantekin, EJ.; McGuire, T.W. and Griffeth, T.L. "Antimicrobial Therapy for Otitis Media" JAMA 266 no 23 (Dec 1991):3309-3317.
- Addington and Hopper 'Virus studies in Secretory Otitis Media' Journal of Laryngology and Otology 94
- Earl Mindell's Secret Remedies Earl Mindell R.Ph.,Ph.D. Simon & Schuester 1997 p. 140.
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All contents copyright (C) 1998-2008, Eddie Shaw. All rights reserved.
