by Pam S.
Member since:
September 21, 2008

My husband has really bad tinnitus

November 03, 2009 08:36 AM EST
views: 181 | comments: 20

My husband has had tinnitus for over 35 years now, but in the past couple of months it has gotten much worse. He attributes it to when he was in a tank, in the Army, in Viet Nam. He was exposed to extremely loud noise, every day, for 10 months.

In the past couple of months it has gotten so bad, that he can't even sleep. He has had to resort to trying to fall asleep with his iPod on, to drown out the noise. He can't read without listening to music. It is driving him crazy.

He had an appointment with an Ear, Nose & Throat doctor, who gave him some over-the-counter medicine that did absolutely nothing. He is trying to get in to see someone at the V A hospital here in Phoenix, but in the meantime he is miserable.

If anyone has any suggestions of things he could try, it would be greatly appreciated.

His birthday is on Thursday and we are going to the Grand Canyon for a couple days, I sure hope he can enjoy himself.

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Comments: 20

Heidi S. Nov 3, 2009, 8:45am EST
I also have tinnitus, and it can be SO annoying! It gets worse after I am exposed to loud noise for a while - when I worked as a dealer in a casino it used to be really bad when I would get home. I find a "white noise" machine is very helpful. I have seen ads for Lipoflavinoid (sp?) but have never tried it. Some say it works....
Pam S. Nov 3, 2009, 8:53am EST
Thanks, Heidi.
Gul Dixon Nov 3, 2009, 9:24am EST
Hi Pam. We had a neighbor once who had it very bad. What they did is they planted a device in his ear which made what they call a "white noise" and that way he got relief. I remember him telling us that he was very happy with it. The ENT doctor he's going to see might suggest that. If not, perhaps he should ask about it himself. Good luck to him!
Donna S. Nov 3, 2009, 9:29am EST
Hope he feels better soon.
Chris J Nov 3, 2009, 9:32am EST
I've read that B12 supplements, as well as Zinc, can help to reduce the perceived noise level of tinnitus. Also, high blood pressure makes it worse (so make sure his bp is within normal range - systolic< 120, diastolic <80) and purportedly eating a diet high in salt and preservatives makes it much worse, so avoid fast foods and processes foods. Hope it helps!
Marsha S. Nov 3, 2009, 9:32am EST
I don't even know what it is, but it doesn't sound very pleasant to tolerate
golds g. Nov 3, 2009, 9:35am EST
no idea but good luck sounds painful
Denise C. Nov 3, 2009, 9:35am EST
That must be irritating. I know any time when you have ringing its annoying. I looked in my homeopathy book and it doesnt have anything listed.
Stacey *Mamasaid* D. Nov 3, 2009, 10:05am EST
My husband has tinnitus too and was in Vietnam. He went to the VA and got over the counter stuff that did nothing. They gave him hearing aids but that did not help either. My aunt has it and treated at the Mayo Clinic (including a surgery) but experienced very little relief. I recently read ginko biloba might help and was asking hubby to at least try it. Please post if you find out anything, it seems there isn't much help for this condition at this point.
Kat W. Nov 3, 2009, 10:17am EST
How awful! I hope that he is able to find some relief soon.
Sandra H. Nov 3, 2009, 10:55am EST
I hope he can get some help soon......enjoy the Grand Canyon and I'll talk to you when you get back. Tell Dan I said "happy birthday"!
MrsRoad Runner Nov 3, 2009, 12:55pm EST
Oh wow, this could drive someone insane I would think??
Gosh sure do hope they find something to help him!!

Wish him a great birthday!!
Loretta E. Nov 3, 2009, 1:43pm EST
Pam, I'm sorry to hear that your husband is not feeling well! I hope the doctors at the VA can help him, it sound like it is very annoying!!
Sarah (I want points) Nov 3, 2009, 3:46pm EST
I'm sorry to hear it! I hope he can find something to help him out.
Amber C. Nov 3, 2009, 11:45pm EST
I am so sorry. I hope you guys can enjoy your trip despite this. Tell him thank you for me, please. Thank you for sacrificing for our country.
R B Nov 4, 2009, 7:44am EST
Never have seen any remedy. I just live with it too.
Barbara M. Nov 5, 2009, 1:48am EST
I have mild tinnitus so I can imagine how your husband feels.
Risa G. Nov 5, 2009, 5:18pm EST
OMG I've never had anything like this so I have no idea what to tell you. My son has very sensitive hearing so I try and use machinery (like the vacuum cleaner) without him around. BUT he has never had that problem. I hope you can find a remedy as that sounds just awful.
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. Nov 8, 2009, 6:00pm EST
Stress can make it a lot worse. Meditation or yoga may help.
Mary M. Dec 14, 2009, 3:44pm EST
I wish him well, but I don't know of anything that can help aside going to an ENT or maybe a neurologist?

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