Now Hear This: Scientists Discover Compound to Prevent Noise-Related Hearing Loss

Aug. 29, 2013 — Your mother was right when she warned you that loud music could damage your hearing, but now scientists have discovered exactly what gets damaged and how. In a research report published in the September 2013 issue of The FASEB Journal, scientists describe exactly what type of damage noise does to the inner ear, and provide insights into a compound that may prevent noise-related damage.

"Noise-induced hearing loss, with accompanying tinnitus and sound hypersensitivity is a common condition which leads to communication problems and social isolation," said Xiaorui Shi, M.D., Ph.D., study author from the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at the Oregon Hearing Research Center at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon. "The goal of our study is to understand the molecular mechanisms well enough to mitigate damage from exposure to loud sound."

To make this discovery, Shi and colleagues used three groups of 6 -- 8 week old mice, which consisted of a control group, a group exposed to broadband noise at 120 decibels for three hours a day for two days, and a third group given single-dose injections of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) prior to noise exposure. PEDF is a protein found in vertebrates that is currently being researched for the treatment of diseases like heart disease and cancer. The cells that secrete PEDF in control animals showed a characteristic branched morphology, with the cells arranging in a self-avoidance pattern which provided good coverage of the capillary wall. The morphology of the same cells in the animals exposed to wide-band noise, however, showed clear differences -- noise exposure caused changes in melanocytes located in the inner ear.

"Hearing loss over time robs people of their quality of life," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. "It's easy to say that we should avoid loud noises, but in reality, this is not always possible. Front-line soldiers or first responders do not have time to worry about the long-term effects of loud noise when they are giving their all. If, however, a drug could be developed to minimize the negative effects of loud noises, it would benefit one and all."

Article source :

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130829124353.htm

Managing Tinnitus

There was a time when silence was really quiet for you. However, things have changed and now you have this constant ringing in the ear. Just keep ringing and Breaking your day. The next article will make you some useful tips to help you live with the buzz , which is also known as tinnitus .

Join a support group for Tinnitus . Tinnitus can be a very annoying and debilitating problem. It is important that you have the support of people who also suffer from this condition . A support group can give you advice on how to treat tinnitus , as well as how to find out what makes the worst yours.

Research on relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation. For many people , being stressed can make tinnitus worse, and tinnitus itself is a source of stress. This positive feedback loop can be broken by the use of relaxation techniques that can help reduce the incidence of tinnitus in your life.

Use relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation to help control the symptoms of tinnitus. Tinnitus can be exacerbated by stress or anxiety. In doing yoga or meditation , his whole body relaxes , reducing the chances that you will have an asthma attack your tinnitus .

Does your tinnitus symptoms start at the same time that you started a new prescription medication ? Many recipes have tinnitus as a side effect. Not taking more drugs that have side effects, you can stop tinnitus problems . Under the careful supervision of your doctor and with your consent, you'll be able to try to stop having each drug on a one-on - one for a week . By doing this , we use a process of elimination to find out which of your medications may be the cause of tinnitus .

If you are experiencing tinnitus , the best approach might be to simply ignore it. Most cases of tinnitus disappears itself. Even if they do not disappear altogether as not to disrupt your life. If tinnitus is still a problem , however, you should consult your doctor .

You do not have to do the buzz continues to bother you . As the article says , there are things you can do to help . If this is something that will help reduce the amount of noise or something that will help them adapt to hear suggestions to make a difference in your life.

People who are looking for ways on how to end your tinnitus may consider our information offered . These guidelines are guaranteed to be effective and fast acting too.

Tinnitus and stress

Tinnitus is a condition in which one suffers from persistent obsessive in his ears, even without an external source. Millions of people suffer from tinnitus and is more common in men , the elderly and those who work in noisy environments . Tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom associated with hearing loss , ear infections, certain drugs , head injury , exposure to noise and stress . In this article we will talk about the relationship between stress and tinnitus. As we all know, we live in a stressful world and stress is a natural part of everyday life. Stress is normal for a person to stressors , challenges or anything that disrupts normal life reaction. Stress can have a negative impact on the mental and physical well -being. Stress can trigger or worsen tinnitus .

Stress can have a negative impact on tinnitus. Almost everyone goes through different levels of stress from different sources in everyday life . For example, the chemical stress of drug substances like caffeine , nicotine and high , like ibuprofen or side effects of medications you are taking may cause ringing in the ears or tinnitus. Hearing stress when exposed to loud noises when they look noisy concerts live or work in noisy occupations could trigger tinnitus. Physical stress that comes from lack of rest or sleep , physical fatigue from work or school and the work of some medical conditions, such as infection, inflammation problems vessels, tumors, heart and blood can also trigger tinnitus. Emotional stress , such as loss , relationship problems, divorce, job pressure , anxiety and depression can trigger or make tinnitus worse.

A key to tinnitus management is to manage your stress. Eliminate or reduce your stress level can help to tinnitus under control and minimize their impact on your life. So how can you control and manage stress?

Learn to relax with relaxation exercises . To mitigate the emotional and physical stress, you need to learn some relaxation techniques. Join a yoga and meditation class. Tinnitus support groups often have relaxation training , find one in your area. You can also learn relaxation techniques from books and DVDs . Stress and tinnitus can be overcome with appropriate relaxation techniques . Practice and find something that works for you. Whichever method you choose, the most important thing is to learn to relax.

Drugs. If you feel you need medication to help you cope with stress , anxiety or depression, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may give antidepressants to treat depression and improve your mood. Sedatives and tranquilizer may be prescribed by your doctor to feel less anxiety and help you sleep . Remember that drugs are usually prescribed for a short period of time , prolonged use can be dangerous and addictive . It is important to always talk to your doctor about the medicine and its side effects. Medications may be needed to deal with stress and tinnitus , but not recommended for self -medication. It is always best to talk to your doctor before taking any drug or medication.

Improve your overall health . Regular exercise and a balanced diet is important for your well-being. A healthy mind and body will give you a more positive outlook . A person with a positive attitude life less stressful . You should avoid bad habits like smoking, alcohol consumption and drinking too much caffeine . Alcohol , caffeine and nicotine are not healthy substances can have negative effects on the body, mind and mood. A healthy lifestyle to improve your overall health and the fight against stress and tinnitus.

Counseling . It can be very helpful to talk to someone about the difficulties that have been suffering from tinnitus . It can be very comforting to know that you can talk to someone who is willing to listen and understand your condition . This can help ease your fears and anxiety that causes less stress. If you feel you need advice , please seek help .

Tinnitus is a very depressing situation, but you have to fight to help tinnitus. Find the best treatment that works for you is important that the tinnitus less noticeable. Alternative treatment for tinnitus is an option that can be explored.