Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 12/27/2008

Question
I have lived with this ringing in my right ear for some time now.  Sometimes it gets worse.  Sometimes I forget it is there.  I wish it were not there.  The ringing is so loud and constant.  Is there any ANY treatment for it?  Can this ringing ever go away?  I can hear about 40 percent out of the ear.  I think I was so grateful to regain my eye and mouth usage back from the Paralysis of Ramsey Hunt Syndrome that I accepted the hearing loss and the ringing (the RINGING IS THE WORST) but I began to wonder.... is it possible this to correct this?  I worry it might eventually drive me insane!  Thank You for your time and advice.  Happy New Year to you as well.

Answer
Hi Kenneth,
The residual hearing loss and tinnitus from RHS can be devastating because of the quickness of onset. The tinnitus itself probably will never be "cured" because of the residual nerve damage, but there are several things you may try.  First, have you discussed this with your ENT?  Sometimes just a mild sedative is enough to ease the nerve and calm you to the point where it is not so bothersome.  You should also consult an audiologist who can fit you with a hearing aid in that ear.  The hearing aid will help make speech and other sounds louder so that your concentration is taken away from the tinnitus.  And there may even be some residual suppression of the tinnitus after removing the hearing aid.  There is also a fairly new treatment that helps you to adapt to the tinnitus; you can check it out here: www.neuromonics.com.  There are several other retraining/biofeedback therapies.  Here is the website for the American Tinnitus Association that will give you invaluable information and links to professionals in your area: www.ata.org.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology