Subdue Phantom Noise With More Noise?

I have been under the care of an audiologist to reduce ringing, or tinnitus, in my ears. This ringing has coexisted with me since I was a teenager. I will not be able to know for sure if the ringing is connected to my nerve functioning and dysautonomia. It is also possible that there are structures of my ear which have shifted out of place due to my hypermobility. If I ever do receive confirmation as to the cause, I will post an update. For the purpose of this blog, I am discussing the progress of my treatment.

Phantoms

My audiologist told me I am hearing phantom noises in my head. When he spoke this sentence, I felt as if I needed to immediately go see my psychiatrist. Seeing the concerned look on my face, and probably my spoken concern as well, the audiologist immediately provided an explanation to quench my curiosity. "Ringing in your ears (tinnitus) is a form of phantom noise," he stated. "The various tones and sounds you hear, do not exist, therefore they are phantom." In other words, these sounds are made up by my brain, and therefore I think I am hearing these non-existent noises. Such an interesting way to explain these sounds. I had not heard of this concept up until that point.

Besides the "phantom noises," my daily life consisted of not being able to hear conversation spoken directly in front of me, especially in a crowded setting. I read online this can be called the "cocktail effect." The cocktail effect describes situations when I am not able to focus on the individual speaking in front of me, due to too many other stimuli and sounds overwhelming my system.

To help treat my symptoms, the audiologist fitted me for hearing aids with custom molded acrylic plugs (since I am allergic to nickel and there are metal components which are placed into the ear canal). In addition, I purchased a secondary device called a "sound assist." Let me further explain how these devices work for me, and discuss how they have assisted with my every day functioning.

The sound assist device is a little black box which connects securely to my hearing aids. It can be used to take advantage of assistive listening systems (ALS) at public venues where the systems are present. In addition, this device acts as a microphone. It allows me to hear the voices of friends around a table at a restaurant (when placed flat on the table for "tabletop mode"), or listen to my husband talk to me at a concert (with a directional amplification when wearing around neck). The voices are so clear in my hearing aids, it is as if the voices are being projected in surround sound into my brain. It is truly fascinating for me.

Hopefully these devices will become more widely affordable so many hearing aid users can benefit from this product. Also, and for the purpose of my blog, I hope these become more recognizable by the public. If you put this device down on a table, and turn it on, I'm 99% sure you are going to be ask by those around you, "Am I being recorded?" You will have to explain yourself every time. These conversations also help raise awareness.

Hearing Aid Therapy

I have been using the device for tinnitus therapy for three months now. The tinnitus therapy involved playing quiet, relaxing, tones through my hearing aids. Everything is controlled through my smartphone app. I was told to use my hearing aids consistently, and play the tones when I am not engaged in other activities or conversations. To me, the tones sound like slow bells that form a melody. The audiologist told me that in time, my brain should start to ignore the tinnitus I am experiencing. What I have noticed is that I am not very good at keeping a consistent routine. But besides that part, here is a list of my experiences thus far.

1. The ringing in my ears is reduced when wearing my hearing aids. It feels like my brain is picking up on details in my world I haven't heard before. Since my brain is distracted, I do not notice the ringing as much.
2. It quiets unwanted noise. It reduces the presence of background noises so I can focus more clearly on conversations near me.
3. When I take them off, I will still hear the ringing in my ears, especially when my heart rate changes such as working out, or taking a hot shower. It is especially loud when I lay down to sleep.
4. You can barely see the device. No one notices I am wearing them (see picture). When I am connected for calls through my cell phone, it looks like I am having a conversation with myself.
5. I can hear the entire composition, and each instrument, more clearly in songs I have listened to for years. I can hear parts I have never heard before.
6. Conversation and voices are very clear.

The audiologist continues to monitor the hearing aid and he customizes the experience for my specific needs.

I am not endorsing any hearing aid brands or products. I will, however, endorse the amazing team at my speech and hearing center. I am also grateful that my insurance covered the entire cost of the hearing aid (not accessories though).

I am excited to see how time progresses and if we are able to retrain my brain to expel these "phantom noises."

To the Best of Health,

E.A. Scott