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Suggest Treatment For Tinnitus
Question: My father is 78 years old. He is experiencing tinnitus. He experiences loud buzzing in his ear occurring at approximately 3:00 a.m. in the morning, which dissipates as the day goes on. This occurs approximately every three days.
My dad has had chronic high blood pressure. He is on a high blood pressure pill. But until recently, wasn't taking it regularly. He is now as of one week.
An M.D. gave him a anti-inflammatory regime. An ENT said it is an age related hearing loss issue and that there is no cure. But there are devices that can be used to help deal with the situation. The devices are expenses, from $3,000.00 to nearly $13,000.00. Before we spend that kind of money just to merely mask the noise, we are wondering if there are any other solutions. He is scheduled to return to the ENT to give progress next week. They gave him a anti-depressant for him to help with the stress. Are there any other solutions? Or is it correct, the only solution is you have to mask the noise with a device?
My dad has had chronic high blood pressure. He is on a high blood pressure pill. But until recently, wasn't taking it regularly. He is now as of one week.
An M.D. gave him a anti-inflammatory regime. An ENT said it is an age related hearing loss issue and that there is no cure. But there are devices that can be used to help deal with the situation. The devices are expenses, from $3,000.00 to nearly $13,000.00. Before we spend that kind of money just to merely mask the noise, we are wondering if there are any other solutions. He is scheduled to return to the ENT to give progress next week. They gave him a anti-depressant for him to help with the stress. Are there any other solutions? Or is it correct, the only solution is you have to mask the noise with a device?
Brief Answer:
No good option other than masking sounds are available
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone very carefully through the details provided. Your doctor seems to be correct and indeed it seems to be an age related degenerative process that has led to what is known as sensorineural hearing loss which is associated with tinnitus. An audiometry will help in confirming the same. Unfortunately there is no good treatment available for the same. Taking capsules with Ginkgo biloba extract is thought to be helpful but the efficacy is still limited. The only other option is assitive devices with masking sound. Often these are a source of relief but a proper trial is required first.
It is very important for him to take blood pressure medication on regular basis. The antidepressant and other medicines also need to be taken regularly.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
No good option other than masking sounds are available
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone very carefully through the details provided. Your doctor seems to be correct and indeed it seems to be an age related degenerative process that has led to what is known as sensorineural hearing loss which is associated with tinnitus. An audiometry will help in confirming the same. Unfortunately there is no good treatment available for the same. Taking capsules with Ginkgo biloba extract is thought to be helpful but the efficacy is still limited. The only other option is assitive devices with masking sound. Often these are a source of relief but a proper trial is required first.
It is very important for him to take blood pressure medication on regular basis. The antidepressant and other medicines also need to be taken regularly.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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