Tinnitus or chronic ringing in your ears is not an uncommon condition. However, some people however suffer from severe forms of this condition which can lead to anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and even problems with day-to-day functioning. Unfortunately, this condition is difficult to treat with very few treatment options available.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been FDA approved for the treatment of depression since 2008. This treatment which modifies brain activity in the frontal region can be modified to impact the auditory cortex which is overactive in patients that are suffering from tinnitus. The reference below summarizes the results of 22 TMS therapy studies for tinnitus and concludes that TMS is an effective treatment for this condition. Overall the studies suggest 20 – 60% of patients receiving TMS will have some improvement, and that the benefits may be long-lasting (RL Folmer et al, 2015).
Tinnitus is not a disease but rather a symptom of an underlying problem in the neural circuits that serve hearing. It’s actually quite common and is not usually indicative of a serious medical condition. However, some people suffer with severe tinnitus that can be extremely disrupting to their functioning and quality of life.
Those suffering with tinnitus often hear a buzzing or ringing in their ear on one or both sides. Sometimes it is described as a clicking, hissing or humming . These are phantom noises that can vary in pitch from a low rumble to a high shriek .The symptoms may be present continually or intermittently.
If tinnitus is severe and persistent, it can profoundly affect functioning and quality of life. The following symptoms can be associated with severe tinnitus:
Many health conditions can cause or contribute to tinnitus . Unfortunately, in many cases an exact cause is never discovered.
Some of the conditions which may contribute include:
Tinnitus is thought to originate with an overactivity of nerve cells in the auditory cortex leading to the ringing sound. TMS therapy uses electromagnetic pulses to reliably and effectively slow down nerve cell activity when directed appropriately. Toning down or reducing this hyperactivity of the auditory cortex can have a significant effect on the symptoms of tinnitus as the brain can be retrained. The ability of the brain to modify connections and change brain activity is known as neuroplasticity.
Each treatment last about 30 minutes. During treatment, a coil is positioned above the ear in a place on the scalp that corresponds to the auditory cortex . Magnetic pulses are generated by the coil once per second. Patients are awake and alert and able to make conversation with the staff or watch TV while undergoing treatment. Patients are able to drive or resume other activity immediately after treatment. The course of treatment is usually 10 treatments over a period of two weeks.
At the present time, TMS is FDA cleared for treating depression, OCD and smoking cessation but not tinnitus. Treatment for tinnitus would represent an off-label application of TMS and may not be approved by your insurance company.
A free phone consultation with Dr. Hayden is available to help you investigate TMS therapy for tinnitus and fi nd out if you’re a good candidate. Payment and fi nancial issues can be explored with Leah Collier TMS coordinator.
Low mood, lethargy, apathy, and loss of humor.Overpowering sadness and despairPiercing feelings of shame and guilt.Self-harm, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation.Struggling with responsibilities.Self-isolation from social activities.In Major Depressive Disorder, these symptoms persist and the assistance of a mental health professional is needed. Call 1-800-273-TALK
When I met Dr. Hayden, I felt like I was pushing around a metaphorical grocery cart full of fragments, shards, and pieces of myself. Everything was stuffed randomly in bags and boxes. There was never any reason to talk about this scattered mess of components, because how could any good be found in such chaos?
During TMS treatment, I felt like these fragments began to coalesce into whole pieces of me that I thought were lost. Things that had been lost for years returned to me: my creativity, the light I carry for helping people, my intellectual curiosity. Instead of waiting for each day to be over, I found myself singing my toddler to sleep with all the love and peace I deserve.
Following TMS, I find myself no longer standing on the shore watching the ocean and the horizon line. Now, I have access to the space in the sky above the land and sea. No longer am I a sleepy and lonely observer. Finally, I am a part of the world around me in all dimensions.
Dr. Hayden has curated a careful collection of support staff. I cannot give a higher complement to his whole practice, from scheduling, to prescription management, to TMS therapy; all personnel are intent on their patient and are carefully attuned to their emotional needs as these needs evolve over the course of treatment. There was never a doubt in my mind that my health and well-being were the top priority. Dr. Hayden’s success is rooted in his intense curiosity and can also be attributed to his adaptability and agile consideration when off-normal circumstances are presented.
For anyone considering TMS therapy, I highly recommend it. I only wish I had found this practice much sooner and gotten more of my life back!
I will try to keep this short but there is so much I would like to say to sing the praises of Dr.Hayden and his staff. Never have I experienced such caring and compassion in a healthcare environment not to mention the expertise in their field of study. Thank you Dr.Hayden for accepting me as a patient. TMS saved my life!