December 1990 Volume 15, Number 4

Tinnitus Today
THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN TINNITUS ASSOCIATION
"To carry on and support research and educational activities relating
to the treatment of tinnitus and other defects or diseases of the ear."
NEUROMAGNETICALLY
RECORDED FIELDS AS A
POSSIBLE WAY TO MEASURE
TINNITUS
JERRY STILLER
CRAZY 8s ROCK GROUP
STARS IN PUBLIC SERVICE
ANNOUNCEMENT
HOCKS A WARD GOES TO
ABRAHAM SHULMAN
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tnnt
Eduorial and :ldn:ru,mg ,,thee' : AmcrK110
Tmnitu> A"'<><:tatton, P.O. Box S. PonlanJ,
OR 97207 (503) 248-9985
Executive & Edtt.>r:
Gloria E. Ph.D.
National Chatrm;lll:
Robert M. John"m, Ph.D.
EJirorial Adv1'<'1r:
Trudy Drucker. Ph.D.
Advertising >ab:
AT A-AD. P. 0 . Oox S, Portland. OR 97207
(800-634-8978)
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make any clamh vr lluar.mtc.:s " to the
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The opinion> cxprc ... scJ by contnhutors to
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American Tinntnt> As"><.:t;mon "a non
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under 26 USC 501 (c)(3)
Copyright 1990 by Amcne<1n
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bt! reproduced, in a rctncval wtcm, or
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Publisher.
ISSN: 0897-6368
The Journal of the American Tmnitus Association
Volume 15 Number 4 December 1990
Contents
4 Neuromagnetically Recorded Fields as a
Possible Way to Measure Tinnitus
by Gary Jacobson, Ph.D.
5 Hocks Award Goes to Abraham Shulman
6
7
8
9
10
12
13
13
14
16
16
17
Crazy 8s Rock Group Stars in Public Service
Announcement
New Tinnitus Public Service Ads Completed
by Brian Woolsey
International Tinnitus Study Group
MEDIA WATCH: Tinnitus in the News
by Cliff Collins
Thanks
Jerry Stiller
by Betty Mathis
Chicago Seminar
IV International Tinnitus Seminar
Questions & Answers
by Jack V emon
National Hearing Aid Society Meeting
Combined Federal Campaign
Self,Help Group Update
by Laurie Bauer
Regular Features
6 Announcements
7 &12 Classified
18 Tributes, Sponsor Members
19 Books Available
19 Annual Donations
3
0.'15
0.'1
0.35
4
"Neuromagnetically Recorded Fields as a
Possible Way to Measure Tmnitus"
by Gary P. Jacobson, Ph.D., J:rroject director,
Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, M1
It has been estimated that tinnitus signifi-
cantly affects the lives of 15 percent to 20
percent of the population of the United States or
approximately 36 million individuals. Approxi-
mately 1.2 - 2.3 million Americans find their
tinnitus unbearable, and in tum, it severely
affects the quality of their lives. Despite the fact
that tinnitus is a common disorder, the origins of
tinnitus are not understood, there is no known
cure, and perhaps more importantly, there is no
measurement tool that can be used to study
tinnitus. Recent investigations by scientists in
Germany have suggested that a new measure-
ment procedure for studying tinnitus may be on
the horizon. Neuromagnetics is a technology
whereby normal spontaneous small magnetic
fields emitted by the body may be detected by
extremely sensitive devices called
neuromagnetometers. These devices have been
used to study magnetic waves originating from
within the heart and lungs.
l-
L
Electrical currents that are generated by the
brain also are accompanied by magnetic fields.
These magnetic fields change in a predictable
manner after a light is flashed at the eye or a
tone is presented to the ear. The sound-induced
changes in the brain's magnetic fields are called
auditory evoked cortical fields (AECFs). The
AECFs consist of two waveforms, one that
occurs one tenth of a second after the sound
begins (referred to as M 100) and a second that
occurs approximately two tenths of a second
after the soLmd begins (referred to as M200).
These magnetic brain responses originate from
that part of the brain that receives sound.
Recently, the German scientists Hoke, et al and
Pantev, eta! demonstrated that the AECFs in
tinnitus patients differed from those obtained
from normal hearing individuals. That is, the
MlOO wave from tinnitus patients was much
larger than the M 100 wave from normal sub-
jects. The M200 wave was much smaller and
occurred much later in tinnitus patients than in
normal subjects. Also, these scientists showed
that these abnormalities were present in a young
soldier with (temporary) tinnitus that was caused
by the intense sound of a gunshot. The abnor-
malities resolved as the tinnitus resolved. These
studies have raised our hopes that
neuromagnetically recorded AECFs might be
used as a method to study tinnitus.
- Although the data obtained from these
t- investigations have provided the first "objective"
evidence of tinnitus, they have left many ques-
tions unanswered. The present investigation will
be undertaken in order to answer the following
important questions: ( 1) What is the best
Ant. M200/MIOO Post. M200/MIOO Post. M200/Ml00
Right Left Right
Jacobson et al Hoke ecal
Differences in M200/Ml00 amplitude ratios derived from
anterior and posterior fields comparing measurement method
used in present investigation (Jacobson et al.) with that of Hoke
(Hoke et al 1989)
method for recording the maximum AECF
response? (2) Are the AECFs stable within a
single measurement period? (3) Do AECF
responses obtained from the brain opposite to
the ear being stimulated differ between the
tinnitus and ear in subjects having
unilateral tinnitus? ( 4) Does simulating tinnitus
with an externally presented noise in normal
hearing subjects produce the same AECF
sponses found in subjects with tinnitus? (5) Can
neuromagnetic recordings be used to
ate between subjects with normal hearing,
subjects with hearing loss and subjects with
hearing loss and tinnitus? (6) Does the severity
of the tinnitus affect AECF responses in a
predictable way?
It is hoped this investigation will provide an
initial step in understanding the physiological
basis of tinnitus. We are interested in helping to
determine whether the unusual AECFs observed
in tinnitus patients indicate that the brain is
causing tinnitus to occur, or whether tinnitus
caused by inner ear disease is "scrambling" the
otherwise normal magnetic brainwaves d1at
occur when sound is presented to the ear.
Further, the application of neuromagnetic
recording technology may provide a
invasive quantifiable method for documenting
the subjective experience of tinnitus. In this
connection, neuromagnetic recordings would
assist in the documentation of tinnitus for legal
purposes. Additionally, application of the
"objective" technique might provide a
ment index for monitoring the outcome of
medical, surgical or rehabilitative intervention
strategies aimed at reducing the disabling effects
of tumitus.
Hocks Award Goes To
Abraham Shulman
The AT A medical advisory board and board
of directors voted at their annual meeting to
confer the AT A Hocks Memorial Award on Dr.
Abraham Shulman. Dr. Shulman, one of the
original members of the AT A advisory board
organized the first two International Tinnitus
Seminars in 1979 and 1983. He is presently
chairman of the International Tinnitus Study
Group. Dr. Shulman is professor of clinical
surgery, division of otolaryngology at the State
University of New York Health Science Center
in Brooklyn. Shulman is editor of a new book
about tinnitus which is currently being published
and is expected to be available in March 1991.
Previous winners of the Hocks award are
Jack Vernon, Ph.D., Portland, Oregon; Jonathan
Hazell, F.R.C.S., London, England; and John
House, M. D., Los Angeles, California.
The annual award was established in
memory of Robert W. Hocks, AT A's first
national chairman, who died in 1985.
5
6
Crazy 8s Rock Group Stars in
Public Service Announcement
Prior to leaving on their nationwide fall tour,
the Crazy 8s volunteered their time and talent to
help make people aware of the need to protect
their ears from loud sounds. The 2,minute
informational video and the two JO,second
PSAs feature the band and their own songs.
"The Key" emphasizes that the key to prevention
is turning down the sound or using ear-plugs for
protection. "She's a Mystery'' also points out the
importance of turning down the sound to protect
your ears. Lead singer, Todd Duncan, admon,
ishes listeners "Hey, tinnitus is real. Abuse your
ears and you'll never hear the end of it. So, use
your head and protect your ears!"
How can you help? TV stations, nationwide,
will receive these spots in January, 1991. Please
call or write your local station and tell them
that you are a member of AT A and would
appreciate it if they would preview these public
service announcements. If they do, we know
they will want to play them.
Announcements
Bibliography
The Third Supplement to the AT A
Tinnitus Bibliography is now available. Please
address requests to AT A Bibliography, POB 5,
Portland, OR 97207 and enclose a check payable
to American Tinnitus Association for $10.00 in
U.S. funds or the equivalent.
Cutoff Date for Tinnitus Today
The 15th of the month prior to issue date
(March, June, September, December) is the last
day we can receive your dues and assure you will
receive the next issue. For example, if your
payment arrives after November 15th, 1990, you
will miss the December issue.
Duplicates
We are working on eliminating duplicates
from our mailing list. Please let us know if you
are still receiving duplicate copies.
New Tmnitus Public Service Ads Completed
by Brian Woolsey
Brian Woolsey Creative has just completed a
new public servtce advertising campaign for the
American Tinnitus Association, reports Brian
Woolsey, owner.
"AT A's goal is to educate people," Woolsey
said. ''Not just to generate awareness for their
cause, but to warn people of the dangers and
causes of tinnitus."
Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the
AT A has made three ads available on a regional
basis to such publications as Newsweek, Time,
Sports Illustrated and U.S. News & World Report.
Other publication:; are to be added in the future,
Woolsey said.
A pro-bono effort of San Diego based
advertising professionals, art direction and
production of the ads were donated by Bodney +
Siedler Design, photography by Chris Wimpey,
typesetting by T ypeLink and media assistance by
Shelley Anderson, Pro Media.
AT A thanks all of these wonderful people
for helping to spread the word about tinnitus.
FOR 20 YEARS NOW
HE'S HAD HIS EARS PIERCED.

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NEW! Tinnitus Sufferers' Catalog
Featuring select, high-quality products to help
you better cope and live with your tinnitus. Send
your name, address and $1 (refundable on your
first order) to the address below. You'll receive a
pair of quality soft foam ear,plugs along with your
catalog. All products in our catalog are backed by
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International Tmnitus Study Group
A large and enthusiastic audience greeted Guest
of Honor, Dr. Claus F. Claussen, University of
Wurzburg, Germany and the speakers for this
year's topic: "Innovative Drug Therapies for
Tinnitus Treatment/Control." The l.T.S.G. has
been in existence for more than 10 years. It is
under the direction of Abraham Shulman, M.D.,
and John W. House, M.D., and is sponsored by
the AT A. Goals of the group are to further the
understanding of tinnitus; to recognize tinnitus as
a discipline; to attempt to provide treatment to
the patient with disabling severe tinnitus; to
attempt to correlate various ear complaints; to
differentiate for the symptom of tinnitus, be-
tween impairment, handicap and disability.
Highlights of the presentations follow.
Trental Therapy , Abe Shulman, and
Barbara Goldstein
Dr. Shulman presented the results of a two-
year study involving the use ofT rental
(pentoxifyUine), a drug which acts to change
blood viscosity and improve circulation. If
Trental is going to have an effect on tinnitus,
that effect will be observed about 2-4 weeks into
a regimen of 8 weeks. Patients thought suitable
for this treatment might be those with circula-
tory problems, elevated cholesterol or triglycer-
ide levels. Trental's side effects are primarily on
the Gastro-intestinal and Central Nervous
systems. Of 22 who completed the study, 10
improved and 12 worsened. The conclusion
reached by these researchers was that the drug
has limited efficacy.
Furosemide as Ttnnitus Therapy ..
PaulGuth
Furosemide is a loop diuretic which is known
to act on the auditory system. Guth's previous
study of AAOO, which is a drug that inhibits
cochlear potential showed that 14 of 66 patients
showed suppression of tinnitus, but 10 of the 14
experienced side effects. In the newer study using
Furosemide, 20 of 40 patients showed tinnitus
suppression, and after changing from intravenous
drug administration to an oral form of the drug,
10 of 12 patients had their tinnitus suppressed.
Now 9 patients are continuing long term oral
Furosemide and are showing suppression after
one year.
These studies indicate that Furosemide helps
tinnitus that is located peripherally. Furosemide
has no Central Nervous System action. Five
patients have been studied so far who have had
VIII Nerve section or other destruction. These
people show no positive effects from Furosemide.
Other investigatory efforts were reported on
by Wayne Briner of the House Ear Institute,
Robert Dobie, University of Washington, and
Dr. Claus F. Claussen of the University of
Wurzburg, West Germany.
Robert Brummett of the Oregon Hearing
Research Center reminded us that although we
know these drugs seem to change tinnitus, we
don't yet understand why they work.
MEDIA WATCH: Tmnitus in the News
by Cliff Collins
Rock musicians and movie stars are talking
about it. News shows, magazines and newspapers,
too. It's tinnitus, those sounds you've heard
plenty of but wondered when the rest of the
world would hear.
Well, now the world is listening. More and
more, tinnitus is in the news. And to stay on top
of all this overdue coverage, Tinnitus Today
wants you, the reader, to send us news you see
about tinnitus. Perhaps a local talk show did a
spot on noise and hearing loss. Or a retired pilot
with ringing ears told his story in your home,
town newspaper. Whatever the case, we- and
the 175,000 readers of this magazine- want to
know about it.
lf you see or hear a story concerning tinnitus,
send the clipping or a brief report about the
broadcast. Be sure to include the name of the
newspaper, magazine, TV or radio station that
ran the report, and the date it ran. Send to
MEDIA WATCH, American Tinnitus Associa,
tion, P. 0. Box 5, Portland, OR 97207.
Van Gogh had Tinnitus: The Journal of the
American Medical Association mentioned tinnitus
recently, and in a big way. Seems that Vincent
van Gogh, the famous Dutch expressionist
painter, wasn't mad after all. Familiar even to
people not acquainted with art history, van
Gogh is best, known for painting swirling stars,
sunflowers and -cutting off his own ear.
The latter act was always assumed by chroni,
clers to be an indication that the man was
mentally deranged, in addition to having sei,
zures, or epilepsy. Even so, anyone who has
tinnitus and at some time had gazed upon one of
van Gogh's frightening self,portraits, with the
bandage on one side of his head, must have
wondered if something hadn't been wrong with
his ear - not his mind.
Sure enough, conclude Swedish researchers
the artist's mind was fully intact, if depressed, '
throughout his brief life. (He committed suicide
at age 37.) A review of nearly 800 of his letters
written in his last six years "reveals a man con,
stantly in control of his reason and suffering
from severe repeated attacks of disabling vertigo,
not a seizure disorder," write I. Kaufman
Arenberg, M.D., and colleagues.
In other words, he had Meniere's disease,
accompanied by tinnitus and hyperacusis, an
extreme sensitiviry to sound, say the authors.
Precious little is understood even now about
these ear problems, so even less was known in the
1880s. Also then as now, people such as van
Gogh hoped that severing the ear, or today
simply the ear nerve, would get rid of the ear
noises, even if a consequence was deafness. His
self,mutilation "suggests that his tinnitus had
become intolerable and that he felt he might
alleviate the 'auditory hallucinations' by elimi,
nating their source," the researchers write. "Some
patients with Meniere's disease experience such
overwhelming tinnitus that they would 'cut off
their ear' or 'poke a hole in it with an ice pick' to
try to relieve it."
Anyone with tinnitus knows what they're
talking about. People with severe cases surely
have felt at times like "cutting the cord." But ear
specialists say that's no solution: You definitely will
end up deaf, and you may still have tinnitus. It
was understandable what van Gogh did, and
tragic, but it didn't solve his ear problems.
Prediction: Someday some
researcher will sunnise that
expressionist painter Edvard
Munch's "The Scream"-
that ghostly figure crying u .. - ,..,.,. . ,
out in terror- depicted
tinnitus.
9
10
MEDIA WATCH (continued) Thanks!
Speaking of Specters: The chattering of
teeth you hear is coming from the world of rock
music, which is filled with fear over the appari,
tion of attorneys bearing lawsuits. Fans injured by
the obscene levels of sound unleashed in live
performances are starting to sue, reports Musician
magazine.
Epson America
Thanks to the Portland Employees of Epson
America, AT A is now using at). Epson FX,850
printer to record patient progress in a biofeed,
back study. We are most grateful to this group for
selecting AT A as their "charity of the month" for
donated equipment. The printer is much appreci,
ated and a vast improvement over our g,year old
relic. Thank you Epson America employees!
People often report the onset of pennanent
tinnitus, hearing loss or hyperacusis from a single
event. Though cases linked to a single exposure
can be hard to prove in court, the day will come
when a band, a promoter, a facility, even a
municipality, sustains a hugely expensive judg,
ment. And after that, assault with a deadly
weapon (100,140 decibels) will no longer be a
casual sport. (More about this subject next time.)
Gail Wefls,Hess Design, Inc.
Readers will have noticed that our last two
issues of Tinnitus Today have undergone design
changes. These improvements have come about
through the generosity of Gail Wells,Hess
Design, Inc., Portland, Oregon, and her staff who
have donated their time and talents ro making
the AT A journal a more readable publication.
Thank you, Gail.


"COPING WITH TINNITUS"
e STRESS MANAGEMENT & TREATMENT
e TINNITUS MANAGEMENT IS OFTEN
COMPLICATED BY ANXIETY AND STRESS
e NOW A urtiQUE CASSETTE PROGRAM IS
AVAILABLE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DAILY
REINFORCEMENT AND SUPPORT FROM THE
STRESS Of' TINNITUS WITHOUT COMPLEX
INSTRUMENTATION & VALUABLE OFfiCE TIME
There is a growing interest in psychological methods of tinnitus
control such as systematic relaxation procedures which help the
patient cope with the tension of tinnitus.
Subjects with tinnitus are being taught ways to relax as part of a
total tinnitus program which may include hearing aids, tinnitus
maskers and progressive muscle relaxation based on principles of
conditioning. Relaxation procedures are usually easily mastered and can be performed daily in the
patient's home environment It has been demonstrated that the relaxation response can release musde
tension, lower blood pressure and slow heart and breath rates.
A relaxation method has been developed entitled Metronome Conditioned Relaxation (MCR) which
has successfully treated for many years chronic pain. tension headaches, insomnia and many other
conditions.
The program consists of one cassette tape of Metronome Conditioned Relaxation and two additional
tapes of unique masking sounds which have demonstrated substantial benefit whenever the patient
feels the need of additional relief. These recordings can be used to induce sleeping or as a soothing
backdrop for activity and can be played on a simple portable cassette player.
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11
12
Jerry Stiller
Betty Mathis, AT A volunteer and painter of animal
portraits, whose many accomplishments include years
in show business and in the Marine Corps, recently
visited with]erry Stiller who kindly consented to be
interviewed about his tinnitus. We join Betty in
thanking Jerry for his inspiration and words of
wisdom and wish him weU.
Jerry Stiller, half of the husband and wife
comedy team, Stiller and Meara, has tinnitus.
Stiller is a star of movies, stage, radio and TV.
He and his wife Anne have written, produced,
and starred in a number of hilarious award,
winning commercials. They have performed in
nightclubs and on TV as well as in legitimate
theater. You may remember his performance as
the charlatan psychoanalyst, Dr. T amkin,
opposite Robin Williams, in Saul Bellow's Seize
the Day. More recently he has been performing
at the New York Shakespeare Festival. Jerry's
tinnitus has been with him for about 4 1/2 years.
He says he has no idea what started it, having
just awakened one morning and there it was. He
says he has no hearing loss, and in fact hears
quite well. I asked him how tinnitus had changed
his life and he replied that it has opened up new
areas for him. He finds new forms of creativity
and like all of us tries to keep busy. He's been in
Broadway shows since acquiring tinnitus and feels
that it forces him to concentrate and to do better
work. He finds much joy in his work and finds it
a wonderful way to keep uninvolved with the
tinnitus sounds, so they no longer dominate him.
His work also motivates him to find ways to get
away from the noise. He says you're blessed if you
have some meaningful things that you love to do.
He loves music, especially be,bop, Dizzy
Gillespie, and Red Rodney. His tinnitus has
opened up awareness of other forms of enjoyment
to distract him from the constant tinnitus noise.
Jerry says that if the infamous bank robber Willie
Sutton had had tinnitus, he would have had to
plan a caper as complicated as a break, in of Fort
Knox in order to take his mind off tinnitus!
Classified
"[X),IT,YOURSELF listening and signaling
devices for people with hearing impairment" by
William Paschell. This booklet helps consumers
assemble their own assistive devices with inex,
pensive parts. $5.00 postpaid. Make check
payable to WAG,HOH. Mail it to:
William Paschell
P. 0. Box 6283
Silver Spring, MD 20916
Free Book
"Psychology of the Hearing Impaired" by
Max S. Chartrand, M. A., is a must reading for
those who have a hearing loss or who live with
someone who does. This dynamic, straightfor,
ward book sheds a bright light on our nation's
most misunderstood health problem.
To request the booklet, write to:
Unimax TM Hearing Instrument, Inc.
P. 0. BOX 1499
Gainesville, TX 76240
Chicago Seminar
AT A wound up its 1990 continuing educa,
tion program with a tinnitus seminar in October.
The Midland Hotel in Chicago provided excel,
lent accommodations that were comfortable and
welt located. Students attending came from a
variety of professional disciplines. Audiologists,
physicians, hearing,aid dispensers, lawyers,
professors, psychologists, and a geologist partici,
pated. Lecturers for the seminar were: Jack
Clemis (Medical issues), Harlan Conkey (Starkey
Instruments), Gloria Reich (Demographics/
Biofeedback), Robert Sandlin (Moderator &
Clinical), Jack Vernon (Clinical & Masking),
and Donna Wayner (Rehabilitation & Cognitive
Therapy). Everyone attending took part in a case
presentation session as well as a lively question
and answer period which followed.
Jack Vernon
For information about future seminars please
contact AT A. If there is enough demand we will
continue the program with an East Coast meet,
ing in 1991.
IV International
Tmnitus Seminar
Honorary President: Michael Portrnann
Presidents: Jean, Marie Aran & Rene Dauman
Guest of Honor: Harald Feldmann
This seminar is the continuation of the
seminars held in New York (1979, 1983) and
Munster (1987).
Since the last seminar, progress has been
made in the objective assessment of tinnitus and
the study of experimental models offers new
research perspectives. The seminar in Bordeaux
will be an opportunity to exchange information
on new developments in the different research
directions and consider their clinical relevance.
The scientific program will consist of invited
lectures and free communications in the
following areas:
I Acoustic perception and tinnitus.
II Objective assessment of tinnitus.
III, IV Peripheral and central
neurophysiological processes: the
example of pain, functional
neuroanatomy and plasticity.
V Experimental models.
VI Pharmacological aspects.
VII The effects of acoustic and electric
stimulations.
VIII Psychological effects.
IX Miscellaneous: Prevention, Patient
management, Alternative treatments.
The deadline for submitting abstracts is
January 31, 1991.
Scientific secretariat: Jean,Marie Aran,
Unite lnserm 229, Audiologie Experimentale,
Hopital Pellegrin, Place Amelie,Raba,Leon,
33076 Bordeaux Cedex, FRANCE
Telephone:(33) 56 24 20 47;
FAX:(33) 56 96 29 84;
EMAIL(Bitnet) AUDIEXP@FRBDXll.
13
14
Questions & Answers
Dear Friends of AT A: I hope I need not remind you
that the answers I attempt to bring to your questions
'are often little more than best guesses. As you know,
information about tinnitus is far from complete.
jack Vernon, Ph.D.
Question: I've experienced a constant
high pitched ringing tinnitus for the past ten
years. Intermittently I also hear a rushing pulsat,
ing sound which seems to be correlated with
my heart beat. Is there any concern that this may
be cranial hypertension, and could this lead to
an increased incidence of Cardiovascular
Accidents?
Mrs. K., Oakland, CA
Answer: Even if your pulsatile tinnitus were
constantly present, I do not think it would
indicate cranial hypertension and subsequent risk
of CV A's. That your case is intermittent suggests
some sort of mechanical partial obstruction,
probably in the vessels in the neck, and that
alteration in neck and/or head position may alter
the pulsatile tinnitus.
In the Oregon Hearing Research Center's
Tinnitus Clinic pulsatile tinnitus is rare, occur,
ring in only about 7 percent of the cases, and
those are all continuously present cases. We tend
to believe that pulsatile tinnitus is a form of
objective tinnitus and refer the
patient to a cardiologist to deter,
mine if there is a cardiovascular
problem of concern.
If you will forgive an autobio,
graphic account, I often detect
pulsatile tinnitus but in all cases, it
is at night when lying on the left
side with the left ear closed into
the pillow. Alteration of the
position or non,closure of the
left ear invariably corrects the
condition.
Question: I would like to volunteer for
research in this field. I am newly 'exposed,' and I
feel the longer I wait the less likely any reduction
in my tinnitus will occur.
Mr. W., Port Washington, NY
Answer: We frequently have patients
volunteer to be guinea pigs for our studies, and
we greatly appreciate this kind of cooperative
interest. We, however, have made it a hard and
fast rule to use only subjects living in our area
so that they may be constantly and quickly
monitored.
There is no evidence to suggest that "new
tinnitus" is more amiable to treatment than "old
tinnitus." Your letter indicates that your tinnitus
is due to two acoustic trauma episodes. ln such
cases, if the damage is not too severe, the
tinnitus will gradually subside although it may
require a very long time. In the meantime, please
A VOID ALL LOUD SOUNDS.
Question: Are there any cases in which
pulsatile tinnitus was successfully treated?
Mr. K., Falls Church, VA
Answer: Yes, there have been cases where
the offending vessel has been located and ligated.
As you can imagine, this is not a minor proce,
dure. It is one requiring surgical invasion, usually
into the neck region. Is your physician able to
stop or reduce the ti.nnitus by careful and se,
lected pressure on the various neck vessels? Such
a procedure might implicate the jugular or
carotid vessels as your physician has suggested.
The fact that you have had a heart attack
strongly suggests that you should have dual
consultation with both your cardiologist and
your otolaryngologist. There was a reason for
that heart attack, and you surely want to safe,
guard against a repeat performance.
Question: Has anyone developed a probe
or a device that transmits the internal noise
externally?
Ms. M., Lawton, OK
Answer: Dear Ms. M., if only you knew how
many times investigators have attempted to
determine the nature and the location of the
underlying mechanism of tinnitus. Except in rare
cases, there is no internal sound which produces
the tinnitus. Think of tinnitus more like a pain
by some disorder in d1e hearing system.
It's a signal which says something is wrong.
Because t innitus usually has a pitch and a
loudness, just like external sounds, it is thus easy
to assume that an internal sound produces it.
Now, it is true that a properly positioned
phone in the ear canal can detect the presence of
a weak sound coming out of the ear in people
with normal hearing and eventually study of this
effect may help with tinnitus. To date there does
not seem to be any relation between these
emissions and tinnitus, that is, people who
display the emissions do not hear them. Like
many things, however, more investigative work
is needed.
Question: I, and many others, would be
grateful if you would publish a list of
nated drugs (for tinnitus) with their known or
suspected side effects.
Ms. P., lirnevil, France
Answer: The November 1989 issue of The
Hearing journal is devoted to tinnitus and
rained a section entitled, "Drugs For and Against
Tinnitus" (The Hearing]ournal, 63 Great Road,
Maynard, MA 01754). There are some drugs
which exacerbate tinnitus for some people.
There is no guarantee that these drugs will
exacerbate tinnitus for all patients. In most cases,
when exacerbation does occur, it is temporary
and an indicator that the patient should discuss
the possibility of a change in medication with
the prescribing physician. Indeed, tinnitus
patients should inform their physicians of the
tinnitus prior to receiving prescriptions. The best
gauge as to the possible alteration of tinnitus by
medication is the patient. If the tinnitus is altered
in any fashion, up or down, the prescribing
physician should be notified.
Question: Since my left ear went morbidly
deaf overnight, my tinnitus has increased tenfold.
I have heard of an operation whereby cutting the
seventh nerve, this horrid noise can be canceled.
Mr. F., Sherman Oaks, CA
Answer: It is the eighth cranial nerve which
serves hearing. It is reported that cutting the
eighth nerve does not relieve tinnitus in the
majority of cases. Your question, however, is a
medical one, and I would recommend that you
seek the advice of a surgeon who has performed
such operations (for other reasons) such as
Dr. Derald Brackman, House Ear Clinic,
2100 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90057,
(213)
One of the other possible approaches for this
case concerns whether or not the left ear is truly
deaf. Often a patient is told there is "no useful
hearing" remaining in an ear which means that
the hearing is so severely depressed as to make
the use of hearing aids unfeasible for improved
speech discrimination. But there may be enough
hearing left to serve for masking. Whether or not
such will work for Mr. F. can be determined only
by proper trials with either a hearing aid, a
tinnirus masker or a tinnitus instrument. By a
"trial" we mean only a very brief period in the
dispenser's office when the patient will report the
success or failure of the trial.
Where tinnitus resides in a truly deaf ear, we
attempt other procedures such as contralateral
masking and rerum to the patient's primary
physician for a discussion as to the advisability of
trying the drug Xanax.
15
16
National Hearing Aid
Society Meeting
The Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennes,
see,,which encompasses 30 acres, was the setting
for the annual convention of the National
Hearing Aid Society September 5,9,
Members of the Society and representatives
from several hearing related organizations
escaped the over 100 degree heat by attending
seminars, examining equipment and materials
relating to hearing impairment and discussing
their use.
Pat Daggett, AT A Executive Assistant, and
husband, Walt, distributed literature and talked
with people about the organization and its
activities. Attendees were eager to hear what we
could tell them about tinnitus and what is being
done to help those who must somehow adjust to
it. The meeting also provided an excellent
opportunity to meet and talk with hearing
professionals who are interested in treating
tinnitus patients.
American Tinnitus Association
is a participant in the
Combined Federal Campaign
#0514 in the CFC Brochure
Thank You For Helping
To Fight Tinnitus
Combined Federal
Campaign
The Combined Federal Campaign is the
authorized fund, raising drive conducted annually
in the Federal workplace. It consists of numerous
separate campaigns conducted throughout the
US in areas that have a concentration of 300 or
more Federal employees. Additionally, there is
an Overseas CFC which is conducted by the
Department of Defense in order to reach Ameri-
cans, military and civilian, serving throughout
the world.
As a member of the National Voluntary
Health Agencies, AT A is eligible to receive
funds through this campaign for research,
education, and patient/community services.
However, many states require local representa,
tion at their meetings. AT A has only one
national office and therefore needs people in
several states to attend local meetings 3,4 times a
year to represent our organization in this impor,
tant fund, raising effort. Thanks to those people
who are already doing this for us: Faye Churchill,
Alabama; Jim Keyes, Arizona; Shirley Rosenhaft,
District of Columbia; Jeff Caine, Florida; Jack
Clemis, Illinois; Deanna Rose, Michigan; Ben,
jamin Jacobs, Massachusetts; Fleta Smith,
Washington; and Susan Seidel, Maryland.
We currently have no representation in the
following states: North Carolina, Ohio, Con,
necticut, Missouri, New York, Tennessee, Texas,
Virginia, Georgia, New Jersey. If any of you are
willing to serve in this capacity, please let us
know. We will provide you with some back,
ground information and assist you as required.
Let us hear from you!
Thank you, CFC Donors, for your great
support in 1990's campaign!
Self., Help Group Update
By Laurie Bauer
Each of AT A's seJf,help groups can support
our noise prevention campaign by spreading the
word locally. Your group can help by contacting
the local media about our new public service
announcement, described on page 6, and our
new ads described on page 7. You can show
support for the announcement by letting the TV
stations know that tinnitus is real, that it exists
in all communities, and people need to know
about it. Encourage them to play the spots and
encourage local newspapers to run the ads by
showing your interest and concern!
Phil Monon, coordinator of a self,help group
in Portland, Oregon, feels his tinnitus is the
direct result of the time he spent playing in a
rock band and listening to loud music. Because
of this, he has become involved by writing to
health instructors at local public schools. He
offers information about tinnitus and emphasizes
the hazards of over,exposure to loud noises
(especially loud music). In addition, he offers to
speak at the schools about his experience.
We urge you to contact your local school
district, express your interest in noise pollution
and hearing protection, and encourage them to
include information about tinnitus in health
programs. Hospitals, active community groups,
and local offices of government agencies con,
cerned with noise pollution and control should
also be contacted. With the video, you can offer
information in a format people will enjoy. We
hope you will help us spread the word!
Group facilitators may contact AT A to
borrow a copy of the video. If you would like to
be involved by distributing the tapes in person to
local television stations, please let us know, and
we will be glad to help.
Special News
We are saddened to hear of the death of Noel
Milham, coordinator of the Sun City, Arizona
Tinnitus Group. Noel and his wife, Lucene, began
the group in early 1987, and we appreciate their
efforts and the help they have offered people with
tinnitus in their area.
Los Angeles Tinnitus Group. On Saturday,
January 12, 1991, the group will sponsor the
Tinnitus Research Update II. This workshop will
allow participants to tour the House Ear
Institute's new facility, and also ask questions
about special interests related to tinnitus. Ad,
vance reservations are necessary, and registration
is $10.00. Contact Marcia (213) 828,6670, Nelly
(213) 474,9689 or Sonia (213) 398,1453 for
more information.
Betty Fisher, coordinator of the Maitland,
Florida SelfHelp Group (407) 645A024
announces that her group will now be meeting
regularly, on the second Monday of each month.
Congratulations and best wishes!
New Groups
We welcome two new groups!
Ft. Myers/Cape Coral, Florida
Contact: Lester Lemke (813) 945,2759.
Dover, New]ersey
Contact: Anne Anderson,Garroway
(201) 989,3634.
We receive letters each week from people
around the country interested in starting a group.
If you would like to become involved, please
contact us.
17
18
Tributes
The AT A tribute fund is designated 100
cent for research. Thank you to all those people
Listed below for sharing memorable occasions in
In Memory of
Dr. Jacob Abouav
Leonard Mayer
E. D. Bergeron
lleu y Bergeron
Mrs. 'Phil Bergstein
The Ezra Lorber Family
Mrs. Verla Burroughs
Faye Hendrix
Gilbert A. Cassel
Joseph A lam & Trudy Drucker
Mary Cassel
jo-seph A lam & Trudy Drucker
Corso Mother & Dad
Art Corso
Mrs. Marie De Bellis
Leo A. De lklls
Maude E. Digby
Maria Digby
Mrs. N. Epstein
Mr. and Mrs. Len Mayer
Artie Fo"
Monic Tamagm
Maria Femandet Father
Lem1)' Mayer
Thelma Gould
Len Mayer
Flora Gree11berg
Mrs. Pearl Greenberg
john Haag
john & Faye S<:hleter
Bob Hocks
Anthony A. Catalfo
Bill Johnson
Travis & Barbara Wills
Helen 13. Kanipe
Mrs. Worth E. Kanipe
Miller - Parents
Ms. Dorothy Miller
Edwrd Paulson
Les nnd Pam Dean
James Richman
Mrs. Claue Rchman
Selma Rothenberg
Susan R. Encson
Ben Samuels
jean & joe Wolfson
Harvey Schuttman
Charlorre S<:hunman
Isidore & Anna Solowitt
Milton Solowitz
Sam Sorrin
i'kverly Perlman
Dvid Wisdom
Barbara M. Wisdom
In Memory of Michael Shapiro:
Cathy & Ray Bacon
Ethel Bowman
Mr. & Mrs. jack Brcglio
Lee Ann Bruce
jessica Cimarusti
Mr. & Mrs. Buddy Delong
Mr. & Mrs. Harry Gordon
Mr. & Mrs. James Hill
Ted & Alice Huettis
Helene R. james
Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Kirchheiner
Carla Kuypers
Rochelle & Steve Lotto
The Mahan Family
Helen Marshall
Ron and Doris Moore
Mr. & Mrs. Ken Mueller
luy & Shirley Newman
Olive Jr. High Faculty
Larry & Katie Omo
AI & Carol Ostberg
Dick and Lynda Pavlat
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Ruiz
Helen Ann Raphael
Rita Schmidt
Don, Lynn & Lindsey Schneider
Anne Shapiro
Carol Sooter
Mr. & Mrs. Ted Winchester
In Honor of
Angelo Abbate, Sr.
Victor Abbate
Adele B. Alam Birthday
Joseph A lam & Tn,dy Drucker
joseph G. Alam Birthday
A. B.Alam
Joseph G. Alam Birthday
Trudy Drucker
Sergio Ampuero Promotion
Mr. and Mrs. Wolfson
Larry Auerbach Recovery
Jean & Joe Wolfson
Bonillo New Baby "Kelly"
jean & Joe Wolfson
Bot'dch "Newest Grandchild Chana"
Jean & joe Wolfson
Mrs. Betty Boyer
Dome Allen
David Busch - Promotion
Jean &Joe Wolfson
Dr. Noble David
Reg inn & Joe Wolfson
Lewis Delmas 1st Prize
jean & joe Wolf.<on
Michael Divino
Vim Ann Divino
Mr. & Mrs. Ehrmann Re-Marriage
"Mamacita & Cramps" (Wolfson)
Richard Elias, M.D.
jean &joe Wolfson
this helpful way. Contributions are taX deductible
and are promptly acknowledged with an
priate card. The gift amount is never disclosed.
Nicholas Scott Epstein
Mr. ant! Mrs. Joseph Wolfson
Donald Goin
M. Bem1ce Dinner
M/M Jack Han1ry Anniversary
R<>bert M. Harary
jack & jeanne Harary Anniversary
Mich.od Harary
Don Halsey Promotion
jean & Joe Wolfson
'Perry Helfant, Esq.
jean &joe Wolfson
Jack Hillman Anniversary/Birthday
Jean &Joe Wolfson
Henry
Nurman Frar\kd
Peter Houoeworth ''New Digs"
jean & Joe Wolfson
Joyce E. Koehler Birthday
joseph A lam & TnKly Drucker
David Kohn Leadership
jean & joe Wolfson
Dr. & Mrs. Levenson
Reconciliation
Jean & Joe Wc>lfson
Rose Levine
Mr. nod Mrs. Etscnbcrg
Glenn Mayer Birthday
(Anonym<'uS)
Jules Mater
jean &Joe Wolf""'
Ralph Miner- Retirement
Jean & Joe Wolfscn
Jane Munsey
Nylcnc: Richter
Mrs. Wolf Rosenblum Recovery
M,.,.. Wolfson
Sandy
Faye & John Schlcter
Eugene J. Sayfie, M.D.
Jean & Joe Wolfson
Capt. & Mrs. Saunders Friendship
jean & Joe Wolfson
David Schafler
jean &joe Wolf,on
Mllrvin Singleton, M.D.
Mary GillSon
Marlene Smith
Jean & Joe Wnllsun
Martin Starr- Dad's Birthday
jean & Joe Wolf><.>n
Phillip Steinberg's Bar Mit:vah
Jean & Joe Wolf>On
Stracquatanio. New G""nd-Daughtcr
M/M Joseph Wemtrauh
Ms. Burton Straus New Grandson
Sylvia Aborn
Ms. Carol Trevis & Office Staff
Jean & joc Wolfson
Mitchell A. Twigg
]>nice Tw1gg
1\.iarion Wansing
jeanne W. M.Jcur
AT A Sponsor Members
September to October 1990
Thomas Akers
Bill Baird
M. Craig Bell
Robert H. Boerner
Charles T. Brown
Myrtle C. Buster
Jeff Colombini
Frederick Dreier
Charles W. Emerick. M.D.
I van Ferguson
Jean S. Pockele & the Gainesville
Community Foundation
Norman Frankel, Ph.D.
Veva J. Gibbard
Doris Greenwald
Alfred W. Heller
Edward G. Kalinowski
Michael Korpal
M/M Floyd E. Kuehnis, Jr.
Marian C. Lovell
l>avid M. Magdan:
Alexander & Cathy Miller
Or. J.D. Montroy
jeff L. Norris
Robert J. Oliver
Henry B. Peacock, Jr.
William D. Riley
Alfred J. Ronaldson
Gladys & Sylvester Saunders
Michael E. Schoeman
David K. Sengstack
Stephen 'P. Shartell
Wayland & Joy Shcafe
Britt A. Thedinger
Aris Theocharis
Brian Woolsey
ATA Professional
Associates
Jack D. Clemis, M.D.
reputation
Two names you know you can trust.
ACIIVAIR. Q DURACE
AMERICAN TINNITUS ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 5, PORTLAND, OR 97207
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
Sound Leadership 1M
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PA l D
American Tinnitus
Association