Are You Suffering From Any of These Symptoms as a Result of Tinnitus? Call Today for a Consultation.
■ Mild to severe anxiety
■ Depression
■ Insomnia
■ Negative thinking
■ Triggered fight or flight
■ Crying spells
■ Hopelessness
■ Ringing in the ears
■ Suicidal thoughts
Are you growing more isolated? Do you feel like life will never be the same? Are you refraining from activities that you enjoy? Are you fearful of losing your job? Do you find that your thoughts tend to be negative?
If you answered yes to 3 or more of these questions or symptoms, then we can help. You may be a candidate for Tinnitus Cognitive Retraining Therapy, or TCRT.
With over 20 years of clinical experience, Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R developed Tinnitus Cognitive Retraining Therapy and founded the Tinnitus Cognitive Center™ in response to the growing number of Tinnitus sufferers coming to his private practice.
He discovered that by helping people to retrain and reinterpret the thoughts around their Tinnitus, anxiety and depression symptoms began to improve. But even more important so did the Tinnitus.
Do you suffer from a ringing in the ears that’s happening all too often? If so, then there’s a chance that you’re suffering from tinnitus – but don’t worry, since there are several natural treatment options out there which can help. Most experts view tinnitus as a condition which causes ringing in the ears, however, this can also be manifested as other abnormal sounds and sensations. For many, tinnitus symptoms will eventually go away as the ears adjust, however, if you have been dealing with tinnitus for some time, you might want to try one of these natural treatment options.
#1. Counseling and Coping Strategies:
Experts recommend that patients suffering with tinnitus become as educated as possible about the condition and learn how to best deal with the symptoms. This could include getting educated on biofeedback in order to control your stress reaction to tinnitus sounds, for example. If tinnitus is really beginning to get you down or make you anxious, then talking with a counselor can help you manage the emotional side effects.
#2. Avoiding Prescription Drugs or Alcohol:
Research has shown that some prescription and over-the-counter drugs, even simple painkillers, have been known to make the symptoms of tinnitus worse. Smoking, and drinking too much alcohol, are also linked to tinnitus and can worsen the symptoms. If you believe that your medication could be the root cause of your tinnitus, then speak to your doctor about lowering your dose or switching to a different brand.
#3. De-Stress:
If you are super stressed all the time, then this can lead to inflammation in your body, a main cause of tinnitus and other ear problems such as infections and vertigo. Along with that, being stressed out can make dealing with the symptoms of tinnitus worse due to the fact that it changes how your brain reacts to the sounds heard. Chronic stress can reduce your immunity and make you more susceptible to infections, nerve damage, allergies and other ear problems. Natural stress relievers such as exercise, yoga, meditation, and calming essential oils can help tackle a tinnitus problem brought on by stress.
#4. Remove Earwax:
If you have excessive earwax, this could be a main contributing factor to your tinnitus symptoms. However, be careful when dealing with this – putting q-tips or anything else into your ear to clean it can actually contribute to blockages and damage. If you are worried that you have too much earwax which could be causing a health problem, then speak to your doctor about having it drained.
Call today for a free 15min phone consultation 646-213-2321
Tinnitus is a perception of sound in the ear which does not originate from the external environment, from within the body, or from hallucinations. As many as 18% of the general population living in industrialized countries suffer from this condition, with 0.5% of patients reporting that tinnitus has a major effect on their ability to lead a normal and healthy life.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is commonly characterized as a ringing in the ear, and does not have any exact cause. The condition is usually caused by inner ear damage. However, it can also be the result of an infection in the ear, a perforated eardrum, or simply a large build-up of earwax. The condition is often presented with hearing loss, and can persist for many years in some cases. It can lead to other conditions, such as insomnia, lack of focus, and even depression in some patients.
Can Acupuncture Help?
In 2000, a systematic review concluded that so far, research had not demonstrated that acupuncture was an effective treatment for tinnitus. However, some of the studies included in the review used questionable controls, inadequate acupuncture treatments, and many were designed in a cross-over manner that is generally seen as inadequate for evaluating the effectiveness of acupuncture. So, more recent controlled trials carried out since this review have all found that acupuncture can be a source of successful relief from tinnitus, with one study even finding this ancient holistic health technique more effective than traditional Western medicine.
How Acupuncture Can Relieve Tinnitus:
Acupuncture is effective for relieving the symptoms of tinnitus in several different ways. Firstly, it can help to provide relief by acting on the cochlea, and particularly on the contractile activity of the outer hair cells. In addition, acupuncture treatments can also work on the efferent olivocochlear system in the ear; in turn, this will help to suppress any optoacoustic emissions. Acupuncture is also well-known for its ability to reduce inflammation; this is often a common cause of tinnitus and reducing inflammation in and around the ear can help to quickly relieve symptoms. It can also increase local microcirculation, which can help to reduce swelling and inflammation further. Finally, acupuncture can help to relieve the symptoms of tinnitus by altering the brain’s chemistry to increase and reduce the levels of certain neurotransmitters.
Contact the best tinnitus treatment in NYC today to see what we can do for you!
Call today for a free 15min phone consultation 646-213-2321
Pulsatile tinnitus refers to a sound that is generated in the ears as a result, usually, of blood flow problems. This causes the sound to vary with your heartbeat. Dr. Stephen Geller Katz a top Manhattan tinnitus treatment psychotherapist, explains that your pulsatile tinnitus may occur in only one ear. “Although it is sometimes difficult to determine the cause of tinnitus, pulsatile tinnitus is usually the result of a problem with blood flow to the ear.”
Pulsatile Tinnitus is Caused by Blood Vessel Disorders
The heart usually beats between 60 and 100 times each minutes, and that heartbeat is reflected throughout the circulatory system. If you have a problem with your blood vessels, such as a tumor pressing down on a blood vessel or a cholesterol plaque that is partially occluding a blood vessel, this can result in pulsatile tinnitus with each heartbeat. Even high blood pressure can result in changes in tinnitus as a result of your blood flow. This is why Dr. Stephen Geller Katz, one of New York’s top tinnitus treatment psychotherapists, recommends patients with tinnitus avoid things like caffeine or alcohol, which have an effect on blood pressure. Some people develop tinnitus as a result of an abnormal connection between the arteries and the veins. This is known as an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM, and usually only occurs in one ear.
Classification of Pulsatile Tinnitus
Pulsatile tinnitus can be caused by atherosclerosis, an aortic dissection, aneurysms and other abnormalities of the blood vessels. These can include a proliferation of blood vessels near a tumor. There are many reasons for pulsatile tinnitus, and they are usually classified as “arteriovenous,” “venous,” or “arterial,” depending upon the type of abnormal blood vessel.
Medications for Treatment of Tinnitus
There are a variety of medications used to treat tinnitus, and some of these medications that affect the blood vessels include diuretics (fluid pills) like Lasix, and other pills for blood pressure that include verapamil and nimodipine. Stress reduction with medications like Valium or clonazepam may also cause blood pressure reduction.
Surgical Treatment of Tinnitus
There may be some circumstances in which surgical treatment of tinnitus is useful. Most of these circumstances occur when the patient is suffering from some form of pulsatile tinnitus. For example, if the tinnitus is the result of abnormal blood flow through a vein, the vein may be interrupted, or ligated. Sinuses and abnormal blood flow can sometimes be corrected surgically. An aneurysm may be repaired and tinnitus can diminish as a result. Pulsatile tinnitus is also sometimes classified as objective, as there are real changes in blood flow that can be heard by a practitioner, not just by the patient.
Diet Can Be Helpful
Patients who experience pulsatile tinnitus as a result of blood flow abnormalities can reduce symptoms by reduction of salt in the diet, in order to reduce blood pressure. Abstinence from substances like caffeine and nicotine, both of which increase blood pressure, can be helpful, says Dr. Stephen Geller Katz , a leading Manhattan tinnitus treatment psychotherapist.
If you are suffering from pulsatile tinnitus, call today for your appointment with DrStephen Geller Katz , a leading New York City tinnitus treatment psychotherapist. Help is available for tinnitus, so call for a consultation with an expert in the treatment of tinnitus.
Call today for a free 15min phone consultation 646-213-2321
Tinnitus is a very common symptom that consists of a roaring or ringing sound in the ears. It affects people differently, and treatment may depend upon the cause. However, in many cases, the cause can’t be firmly established, and Dr. Stephen Geller Katz, a leading New York City tinnitus treatment psychotherapist, says some treatments are helpful for all types of tinnitus.
Why Try A Natural Treatment for Tinnitus?
Doctors don’t have one medication that works for all patients with tinnitus. Tinnitus is the result of damage to a structure of the ear, and it results in dampening the external signals, causing the brain to produce internally generated noise. There are a number of treatments that can address the symptoms of tinnitus, no matter what the cause. Herbal treatments are often effective, and they don’t always have the unpleasant side effects that can result from medications. Antidepressants and antianxiety drugs that doctors use to try to reduce symptoms of tinnitus can be poorly tolerated by many patients. Herbal remedies often have centuries of anecdotal evidence, and recent studies have show that there is real science behind the use of supplements, herbs, and other natural treatment strategies.
Herbal Treatments for Tinnitus
Herbal treatments for tinnitus have been effective for many people. These treatments include black cohosh, an herb that improves circulation by dilating blood vessels. Rehmannia is an ancient herb that has been in use for centuries in China and other Southeast Asian traditional cultures. Recent studies have shown that rehmannia increases antioxidant activity in the auditory cells, which limits free radical damage that contributes to tinnitus. Gingko biloba is another ancient herbal supplement that is frequently used in modern medicine, particularly in other countries where the use of herbs is more widely understood. Scientific studies have recently shown that gingko biloba is useful for the treatment of a number of disorders, including tinnitus. It is an antioxidant, and it also increases blood circulation.
Vitamins and Minerals
There is strong evidence that vitamin and mineral supplementation can reduce
symptoms associated with tinnitus. One study, published in the American Journal of Otolaryngology, showed that magnesium supplementation helped people with tinnitus improve their symptoms, especially when the tinnitus was related to hearing loss. Another study, by the Institute of Noise Hazards Research, found that many people with tinnitus as a result of noise related hearing loss had a deficiency of B12, and these people experienced improvement after supplementation of their diet with vitamin B12. Some people report improvement of symptoms of tinnitus after taking niacin or thiamine supplements. Finally, people with tinnitus may have a zinc deficiency, and a study performed at St. Marianna University School of Medicine in 1997 found that zinc supplementation improved symptoms in these patients.
Does Acupuncture Work?
Controlled studies, the best form of medical evidence, shows that acupuncture can improve tinnitus. It doesn’t work for everyone, but it may be worth a visit to a traditional practitioner of Chinese medicine.
Magnet Therapy
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been shown to affect the circuits of the brain. Early studies show that it can help improve tinnitus. TMS is used to treat depressions, and researchers feel it is probably most useful in treatment of tinnitus among patients who have a large psychological component to their symptoms. Further study is needed, and Stephen Katz, one of NYC’s leading tinnitus treatment psychotherapists says the jury is still out, although evidence points towards some value of TMS therapy for treatment of tinnitus.
Call today for a free 15min phone consultation 646-213-2321
When it comes to treating tinnitus, there are several options available that may work for patients. One of the options your doctor may recommend is the use of sound therapy. In short, the sound can help to mask or otherwise limit the amount of sound you hear from tinnitus itself. One of the options you may learn about is a white noise machine. This type of care may be one of the least invasive treatment options that offers an effective result. Working with your LCSW-R in New York City can provide you with treatment options for your symptoms.
How can a White Noise Machine Help You?
White noise machines are newer types of treatments for tinnitus. Generally, the device will generate white noise. When used as a treatment for tinnitus, the device works to reduce the unwanted sounds significantly. Some people report that the sound is gone altogether.
White noise is a unique sound. It is made up of various frequencies of sound along the complex sound spectrum. When used at the right level, it can create a rather soothing sound. In fact, some dentists use white noise as a way to help reduce anxiety in patients.
For treatment for tinnitus, the white noise generator is a small device much like a hearing aid. You will place it on your ear or right behind the ear. The device is battery powered. And, once in place, it will produce a constant, but very low noise that sounds like a rushing sound. This sound is then transferred from the device into the ear using a small tube. This moves the sound closer to the ear drum. It is generally used in both ears, though some patients may only have it present in just one. As a neutral sound, it works very well to reduce any other ringing sound you have.
What we know about tinnitus indicates that it is generally not the presence of a real sound in the ear, but rather the brain working to turn up your hearing so it can hear better. With that understanding, then, it makes sense that, with the use of a white noise machine, it is possible to see a reducing in the amount of tinnitus heard. The white noise works because it helps to make the auditory system less sensitive to sounds in general. Work with your LCSW-R in NYC to determine if this is the right treatment for you.
Call today for a free 15min phone consultation 646-213-2321
Tinnitus: you may be suffering from it if you’ve experienced a persistent ringing, buzzing, hissing, chirping, or clacking sound in your ears, even though there is nothing around you causing it. There are treatment choices that can help you. There are many Tinnitus treatment options available today from traditional to alternative methods. However, there is no cure. The reason there is no cure for this condition is because Tinnitus is only a symptom.
Traditional Treatments
Traditional treatments include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and retraining therapy. They also include prescription and over-the-counter medications. These treatment options cover a variety of different issues. In some cases, you may simply have an ear infection; this can cause Tinnitus on a temporary basis. Frequent ear infections can create a situation where it may seem more permanent and may require additional treatment options such as retraining.
Retraining therapy allows your brain to relearn which sounds are important and which can be ignored. It works well in training your hearing to tune out the buzzing, hissing, or ringing noise you may have.
Alternative Treatments
Alternative treatments include ringing ears treatment options such as acupuncture, magnets, biofeedback, and herbal concoctions designed to relieve a variety of symptoms. Alternative treatments may not be approved by appropriate medical boards or backed by clinical studies. Carefully discuss these treatments with a qualified and licensed medical professional before trying them.
Choosing an Option
How do you chosen an option? In some cases, it may be easy. There may be only one treatment option to handle your particular case. Tinnitus is not something that has a one-size-fits all treatment plan. Tinnitus treatment options are varied and numerous. It may require combinations or it may be taken care of with a simple remedy. The only way to know is to try various treatments and treatment combinations to see which ones are right for you and your particular case.
If you are looking to schedule an appointment with a qualified New York City medical professional to discuss treatment options for Tinnitus, contact us today.
Tinnitus Cognitive Center™
Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R 19 West 34th Street Penthouse Floor New York, NY 10001
