Neuromonics Oasis quiets the ring in your ears, won't stop the voices

Do you have a constant, annoying ringing in your ears? If you're like us, you probably suffer from at least a mild form of tinnitus. Whether it's from exposure to massive jet engines, or just listening to Reign in Blood one too many times, you probably wish there was some way to stop the incessant noise. Well, a company called Neuromonics may be able to help, using an audio player which alternates a mixture of white noise and music to train your brain to ignore the ringing. The player gradually reduces the level of the white noise, and after six months of treatment, patients can use the device as needed. This kind of relief doesn't come for free, however, as counseling and the unit will cost you $3,000 to $6,000, and you probably won't be able to get your insurance to pay for it.

[Via Medgadget]

[Flashpoint @ Mar 7th 2008 12:45PM]

Hearing is like FINE CARPET.

If you step on it now and then, it will rise back and still be good.

But, if you trample it daily , it wears out quickly.

No one is gonna buy this DAP considering most people have ipods or cellphone Mp3 players. What we need to do is produce headphones that do not allow themselves to be turned up to dangerous noise levels. Maybe wth a cut off circuit.

considering the world of frivelous lawsuits, someone might try to sue headphone companies.

[JLTate @ Mar 7th 2008 1:05PM]

Though I'm sure that listening to music loudly is a cause of tinnitus, it's by NO MEANS the ONLY cause. For example, I have hereditary tinnitus -- my Dad has always had it and so have I since I was a little kid. And no, I've never listened to music loudly through headphones.

I hear it right now. Aside from my typing, that constant high pitch squeal I've heard my whole life is the only noise I hear at the moment. If I had the money I'd buy this device in a heartbeat.

[Mathuze @ Mar 7th 2008 1:16PM]

Uh, have you even read the article? This isn't a standard DAP, this is a device that emits certain (pre-programmed) noises.
And by the way, people have already sued DAP manufacturers for the high volume, and in some countries there is a volume lock to prevent it from going over a certain limit.

[Sam @ Mar 7th 2008 2:27PM]

Suing consumer HEADPHONE manufacturers might just be a bit frivolous, since many already have warnings on products, and it is hard to imagine any legislation that forces headphones to be made to monitor volume or limit source volume...
oh and rtfa

[Nietzche @ Mar 7th 2008 7:21PM]

There actually are headphones that do just that, the problem isn't the lack of gear to prevent it, it's the lack of will/knowledge about it.

[Bill Homan @ Mar 7th 2008 12:47PM]

First... off. I would just like to say I consider myself waaaaaaaay lucky I still have good hearing. Second, It's too bad this costs that much. I know some people that could use this.

[CraigJ @ Mar 7th 2008 12:47PM]

$3000 to $6000? Or, I could just, you know, put some white noise and music on my PMP and manually control the volume for $0.

[Rainier @ Mar 7th 2008 12:53PM]

$6000?!!?!? That's a whole other ear!

[Sandy Santra @ Mar 7th 2008 1:12PM]

As someone who's had "objective tinnitus" (triggered by a specific frequency range) since 1993 and been a musician for 4 decades, let me set the record straight.

(1) Your brain adapts over time and you don't really notice it as much anymore.

(2) You should (nevertheless) stay away from big, loud cities (like New York, where I live!); and you should definitely stay away from me, since I have a REALLY loud voice.

(3) You should stay away from REALLY quiet places, too, like the desert. They're not bad for you, per se, just annoying.

(4) You will probably need to (and SHOULD) wear REALLY good earplugs (like Etymotics) with a very high (20-25) dB cut across ALL frequencies; put 'em on in any situation over about 70 or 80 dB. And you should ALWAYS wear these at movie theaters and concerts. That will prevent further damage. Buy a bunch of them--they're cheap. Put 'em on whenever your surroundings get too loud and/or your ear(s) starts to hurt.

(5) A good piano tuner (I know one in New York) can "voice" your piano so that the particular range that triggers objective tinnitus is "dampened" down so that you don't even notice your tinnitus even when you're listening to something precious like a killer Jarrett-esque high melody 1.5 octaves about Middle C.

(6) Apple (and other mp3 player manufacturers) will help you out. For example, on recent versions of the iPod (and the iPhone, too), there's a "Volume Limit" setting.

Moral: tinnitus is a bitch, but it ain't the end of the world.

Alright, TMI critics who want to flame: start your engines NOW!

[Rainier @ Mar 7th 2008 1:18PM]

@Sandy Santra
VROOM! VROOM!!!
VROOOM! VROOOMM!!!
Sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of my flame engine.

Kidding aside, that's good advice, especially number 4.

[Frank Furter @ Mar 7th 2008 12:55PM]

Infamous. Butcher!

[Mathuze @ Mar 7th 2008 1:10PM]

Monarch to the kingdom of the dead...

[Dan Davis @ Mar 7th 2008 1:13PM]

I have some pretty severe tinnitus, brought on by firing the 25mm Bushmaster cannon on a Bradley while in Iraq. This little device would be a godsend for me!

[Frankenstein Black @ Mar 7th 2008 1:37PM]

These should be given to you for FREE! Thanks for your service despite being placed in a "bad situation"...

[Dan Davis @ Mar 7th 2008 2:39PM]

Ironically, an AP story regarding troops losing their hearing just came out:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080307/ap_on_re_us/combat_hearing_loss_1;_ylt=AtLCygCVOJh5TsAzXPIkJt8F1vAI

[hnkelley @ Mar 8th 2008 7:45PM]

First, thank you for your service!!!!! When I went to college, a bit late in life by comparison, my roommate was hard of hearing from being a gunner also. Is there something that can be done to prevent this damage? I know those guns are LOADER THAN HELL, but still! On the other hand, what a great roommate! My noises never bothered him. It helps he's a good guy, too.

As for tinnitus, I've had it for as long as I can remember. Several years ago, somebody was discussing it like it was a problem but describing exactly what I hear (tone, volume, etc). My response was, "You mean I have tinnitus?" Hehehe Obviously, my case isn't so bad. Music, TV, office/urban noises, conversation usually drown it out. I listen to music at night so I can sleep through the noise. And in reference to the headline, yes, the voices in my head do a good job of drowning out the tinnitus as well. (No, they're not psycho-voices; it's more of a running commentary, kind of like having your own sportscaster. It's an automatic thing I use to keep the brain busy in a comfortable manner, instead of obsessing on things or being depressed/hypomanic.) A funny note along those lines: I was driving along one day and the music stopped. I looked at the car radio wondering what happened, then realized the music was in my head... the radio doesn't work.

Now I'm going to turn up the music (real, not in my head) (to a good, loud level, but not unhealthy) so I can focus on my work. To those for whom tinnitus is an issue, best of luck and I hope something AFFORDABLE and REAL/FUNCTIONAL comes along to help you!

[Audio-Geek (retired) @ Mar 8th 2008 7:49PM]

Crap... I meant LOUDER THAN HELL. Should've double-checked my lousy typing.

[Frankenstein Black @ Mar 7th 2008 1:34PM]

Is this a publicly traded company? If so, sign me up for at least 20 "round lots". The "chickens will come home to roost" when all of these Gen-I'ers and their ear bud blasting music/s hit the 40s. I also suspect the price will come down as well... Now listen to Mom (while you still can) and turn that music down!!

[THN @ Mar 7th 2008 1:41PM]

Hello all -

As a student doctor of audiology i work very closely with the neuromonics device. I also have had bilateral tinnitus since i was about 5. The problem with tinnitus is that it can be brought on my a number of different things, from noise exposure to outer hair cell firing. Some people say that tinnitus is present in every however most people have a central processing system that can block out the ringing while others cannot. The people that develope tinnitus at a young age learn to block it out however it almost never completely goes away. The people that come into a hearing and balance center with a sudden onset of tinnitus are very very distraught. The neuromonics fee at our clinic includes a lifetime of consultation and for many of the people the $3000 fee is not even an issue if it means minimizing the ringing in their ears. The device really does work! It is finely tuned and changes to accomadate the user as they learn to tune out their tinnitus and bring their life back to as normal as possible.

[Nerdcorps @ Mar 7th 2008 2:32PM]

I've dealt with tinnitis triggered by certain pitches for a few years. I spent 7 summers touring in DCI so all that sound did take a toll on my hearing. I'd love to find a way to at the very least reduce it. I play tuba as my primary, and it's gotten so bad I have trouble locking into tune with an ensemble.

[Timbo @ Mar 7th 2008 2:39PM]

LOL Reign in Blood!

[blitzkrieg999 @ Mar 7th 2008 3:12PM]

Holy crap, anyone treating this thing like a PMP didn't read the article!

Neuromonics has been around for a few years here in the US, and longer in Australia. While its basically an MP3 player, its not something you just pick up off the shelf. It requires multiple trips to an audiologist that is trained in Neuromonics to get the device tuned for your specific case. As mentioned above, there are many types of tinnitus, and not all will see the benefits of Neuromonics.

Personally, I've been very excited about Neuromonics for a while now, but I have yet to determine how to get insurance to pay for it. Because its not a 'proven cure' most insurance companies won't pay for it, and I don't have $3000+ just lying about.

[Nathan @ Mar 7th 2008 3:56PM]

There is a program for Macs that does this for free. It has white noise, and their filtered version, "pink" noise. It also helps me concentrate while I work. Great stuff here.

http://www.blackholemedia.com/noise/

[NeoteriX @ Mar 7th 2008 5:29PM]

Totally not the same. This is the use of white noise to train the brain to disregard tinnitus.

[Nathan @ Mar 7th 2008 5:35PM]

The funny thing is, I RTFA and still missed the point. I got the white noise part right, at least.

[Clutch Cargo @ Mar 7th 2008 6:32PM]

My tinnitus was so bad when I was a kid, that when they put the headphones on me during those yearly screenings in elementary school, I would put my hand up before they turned the gadget on.

I'm 42, and I don't notice it all that often anymore, but when I do, it drives me absolutely batty.

I use the above recommended Noise program on my Macbook, too

[mahmud @ Mar 7th 2008 10:01PM]

i was listening to my music loud and then while reading this saw my hand go to the volume bar and turn it down.

[sdoith23 @ Mar 14th 2008 1:00AM]

I've gotten mild to moderate tinnitus from clubs but also constant background noise (computer/tv etc). Now I've read that hearing damage is permanent but from my personal experience I've found that if I give my ears a few days rest (try to minimize noise as much as possible), the tinnitus has greatly diminished (sometimes there's no low-level ringing/buzzing at all).

That's the best solution I've found to dealing with this issue. I've also had it go severe (like after going to a club), but if you give your ears some rest time they'll get better, no need for expensive gadgets let your body heal itself.

[NASIR QAYYUM BUX @ Mar 24th 2008 1:19PM]

DEAR SIR,
I AM MY EAR LEAF TINNITUS PROBLEM PLEASE NEUROMONICS OASIS TINNIUTS ORDER.
THANK YOU, PLEASE REPLY SOON.
NASIR QAYYUM BUX
E.MAIL: [e-mail]

[David @ Apr 16th 2008 10:12PM]

Hi

Be careful about pinning your hopes on this device. There may be some subjective improvement in some people, but I notice that like all alternative therapies they don't dare offer a money-back guarantee.

I developed tinnitus after a bad head cold about five years ago, and spent literally thousands of dollars over the first couple of years on sound therapy tapes from Australia, acupuncture, chiropractics, laser therapy, hypnotherapy, supplements, etc. etc. etc.

None of it made the slightest difference, except to my wallet.

The best advice I can give is to do the little, sensible things - play white noise or soft music to help you sleep and work, wear earplugs in all noisy situations including movies and concerts (even downtown in the city), eat properly, take a good vitamin/mineral supplement, and exercise regularly to keep the circulation healthy. The noise sometimes fades on its own, and if not, you will at least gradually get more accustomed to it.

Other than that, sit tight until a definitive cure does comes along. And it will, given the attention that is being focused on this problem due to ear damage from ipod abuse and military service.

[Jeffro @ May 19th 2008 11:31PM]

Does anybody have any experience themselves or know of others with chronic tinnitus due to noise exposure, with one frequency, and a louder different intermittent frequency due to TMJ dysfunction? Would the Neuromonics device help?

Thanks, before I drop 3k+.