Electronics

[Trailrun23]

Cochlear implant surgery is a very specialized field. I had tinnitus for years and left no stone unturned in looking for something to end it; when drs can't literally see something wrong inside your ear, they can be dismissive. I was told to either learn to live with it, or go see a surgeon who could deafen my ear so I would not hear any noise anymore. I am not kidding! That was what he told me. Needless to say, I did not opt for that....but years later I had a medical crisis and they did indeed find out why I had tinnitus and the issue was treated. 

I have a bit of experience with cochlear implants as I am old enough to remember when they were first introduced for deaf children. Game changer! I trained teachers on the FM systems they had to use when they had my students with implants in their classes; it was quite different back then; now much more high-tech and result is more crystal-clear. I have never heard of using a cochlear implant for tinnitius; seems like a drastic measure for a condition most drs call "manageable".  Seems to me a cochlear implant would only amplify the tinnitus since your hearing would improve... but I am not an ENT. Sorry this is so long, but I would follow the advice some have given you already...see a cochlear implant specialist and get your questions answered.  hope you get some relief. It's a real beatdown to deal with it 24/7.

[KittySoftPaws]

@matty liz  The only time I ever heard of this was from Rush Limbaugh on his radio program. He had them and he always commented about how they changed his life for the better.

[pdlinda]

@KittySoftPaws   Yes, I thought about the same thing, but Rush's cochlear implant wasn't to treat tinnitus.  I never heard of it in that context.

[LizzieInSRQ]

@matty liz for any surgery...a second opinion from a board certified ENT would be the least you should be doing, if not a third.

[Nonametoday]

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@KittySoftPaws wrote:

@matty liz  The only time I ever heard of this was from Rush Limbaugh on his radio program. He had them and he always commented about how they changed his life for the better.

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@KittySoftPaws @matty liz 

Like my husband, Rush was completely deaf.  Not for the same reason but the same effect.  He could only hear 1/20 words in one ear and none in the other.  

[matty liz]

Ladies, thank you.  Trailrun23, that is exactly what i am running into, Drs being dismissive.  I wish I saw some advantage in the implant for tinnitus but I don't and to have a Dr sit there and suggest the implant is hopeless.  Thank you

[kze]

@matty liz 

May I ask what type of tinnitus you have?

[matty liz]

kze, my tinnitus is like a loud air hose 24/7.  i esp have trouble sleeping.  I use 2 sound machine but wear hearing aids that i can't sleep in.  I am able to distract myself in the day.  My husband died 6 months ago and I miss the support and conversation.  Thank you for asking

[Imaoldhippie]

I have had tinnitus since 7th or 8th grade.  I had lots of ear infections as a kid and it eventually destroyed nerve and bones in both ears.  The left being the worst, I am almost completely deaf in that ear and with age I am losing hearing in my right.

The noise I have is a constant roaring noise along with what sounds like an old washing machine.  the roaring is higher pitch in my right ear, but it is louder in my left.

A couple of years ago I went to a ENT doctor and she had me tested for hearing aids.  the audiologist that did the testing said the medical profession now thinks that the noise is made by your brain compensating for the loss of hearing.  The hearing aids cost 2,400 to 6,000 dollars.  I just could not justify that so I say huh a lot.

But all ENT doc's I have seen throughout the years have all told me that there is no treatment for tinnitus.

I sleep with the TV on at night I can't stand silence because of the roaring in my ears.

@matty liz @kze @Nonametoday @LizzieInSRQ @pdlinda 

[JeanLouiseFinch]

Cochlear Implants are a godsend for many people but be very careful in deciding.  If you have any hearing at all, the implant procedure will cause you to lose it.  If you don't like the implant for any reason you will be totally deaf.

I had tinnitus for years.  I know it's hard to believe, and there will be naysayers who will laugh at this, but changing my diet five years ago, adopting it as a lifestyle, has done wonders for it.  I'm not kidding, since going keto tinnitus is no longer an issue for me anymore.  It didn't happen immediately but one day I noticed the tinnitus was gone.  The keto diet is anti inflammatory, stabilizes blood sugar, and feeds the brain so its impact on tinnitus makes sense to me.  I also do significant intermittent fasting.  Many people like to speak negatively about keto and I think that's because they don't fully understand it.  Be that as it may, I know what's worked for me, losing 150#, reversing pre diabetes, and yes, the tinnitus too.  I still wear hearing aids and don't expect the diet to change that.  Keto can't regenerate damaged or dead nerves.

If changing your lifestyle is too extreme for you, my recommendation is to go to a licensed audiologist who can properly diagnose and make the appropriate recommendations.  Be willing to spend significant $$$$ for top of the line hearing aids (not Costco).  There are payment plans if you can't pay all at once.