VOLUME 8, NUMBER 1, FEBRUARY 1983

THE AMERICAN TINNITUS ASSOCIATION

THE OTHER SIDE OF TINNITUS
by
David M. Lipscomb, Ph.D.
Professor
Dept. of Audiology &
Speech Pathology
Univeuity of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996
''There is nobody who is completely bad-
even the wout of us can urve as a good
example," -Unknown
In his effort to suggest that I look to the better side
of people, my father would draw on the above quote
which I presume came from some of his Texas wisdom
sayings, one for every occasion, Although it may seem
strange, perhaps this adage has application to the subject
of tinnitus u well. There is another side to tinnitus.
We know tinnitus to be a pervasive, bothersome ,
distractive, disruptive influence in the lives of those who
have recurrent or unrelenting tinnitus. How, then, can
something so bad have a good side?
Sufferers from physical disorders often ask, "Why
me?" The more philosophical ones among us may inquire,
"How does this fit into the realm of human experience?"
Because it exists, there must be a purpose for somet hing
like tinnitus. In fact, through the studies that have been
undertaken, it is apparent that tinnitus is a logical and
expected side effect of certain conditions of the audi tory
mechanism. And, further, it can serve as a powerful and
useful warning signal.
When a person suffers a hearing impairment, two
features often emerge singulady or in combination:
1. Tinnitus is noticed by the person
2. The hearing impairment was due to
exposure to excessive sound levels.
Noise induced hearing impairment is the most
commonly encountered type of hearing problem in
industrialized civilizations today. As children, we have
all had the experience of noting a sharp, quite loud
ringing sensation after a firecracker exploded nearby. Or,
in later life, the report of a gun or other uplosive sound
gave rise to that ringing sensation. Usually, after time,
the tinnitus died away only to return upon the next
auditory insult by high level sound. Thus, these
experiences demonstrate quite conclusively the close
relationship between noise exposure and certain types of
head noises.
It is wise to avoid those conditions that give rise to
hearing damage. Noting when tinnitus oc curs can auiat
in that avoidance. There are three "rules" I suggest for
those who are concerned about losing hearing from high
level noise. Most persons are not sure how much noise ia
too much. It is not feasible to carry a sound level meter
i nto all lif e situations, thus the following hinu ar e
offered:
1. If, when in a noisy environment, it is
not possible to communicate with otheu
without ahouting direcdy into each
otheu ean, the sound level is
dangerously high.
2. When leaving a noisy environment, if
your hearing aeema to be "dulled", it
is possibl e your heating mechanism has
auffered aome overexposure. The
sensation often described is that of
"having one's head in a barrel."
3. After the uposure, tinnitus is present,
The auditory mechanism, puticulady
the inner ear, has no pain receptors.
Therefore, tinnitus has been described
by some as the inner ear's means of
upreuing pain. Perhaps, then, when
loud sounds cause tinnitus, the ear
is saying "Ouch!"
The final two of the above guidelines are commonly
experienced by tinnitus sufferers. There is the loss of
sound quality reaulting from a hearing impairment and
ringing--ah, the ringing.
This example provides further indication that there is a
close r elationship between noise exposure and tinnitus.
Unfortunately, tinnitus does not occur prior to the noise
uposure such that it would signal us not to undergo the
experience, But, the post-exposure warning given by
tinnitua should, if recognized, give us guidance to avoid
that type of uperience again.
There are a surprising number of life situations which we
should consider to be potentially "oto-hazardous" because
the noise encountered can place the ear at risk:
... occupational environments, particularly where
heavy equipment is operating or when there are stamping
operations;
recreational shooting acuv1t1es, especially indoor
ranges where reverberant acoustic conditions magnify the
sound;
THE OTHER SIDE continued
recreational vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles,
etc. The manufacturers of these devices have come a
long way in reducing overall noise levels of engines, but
there is a pervasive mystique about vicarously sampling
the power of the engines by removing mufflers or making
other alterations.
.,.clubs, dining establishments and lounges with live
amplified music;
... power tools in our home workshop, garden or lawn;
. household gadgets, blenders, food processors,
vacuum cleaners, etc. which can emit a surprisingly high
amount of noise;
.. . high-powered boats with inadequately muffled
engines;
.. . personal listening devices equipped with portable
headsets adjusted to deliver excessively high sound levels
to the ear.
From this list, it appears that just about everything that
is fun and necessary is potentially dangerous to hearing.
Actually, that observation is not far from the truth.
However, with intelligent use of the following suggestions
it will be possible to enjoy the quality of life for which
we have worked without suffering hearing damage along
the way:
1. A void high-1 e vel noise exposure, If tinnitus is
already a part of your life, high-level noise can intensify
the problem. Some persons have observed that tinnitus is
not noticeable during exposure, but after emerging from
the noisy environment their tinnitus problem seems to be
compounded. Other cases have been seen to respond well
to the use of tinnitus masking devices only to have
inadvertant noise exposure cause them to lose that
advantage.
FIRST INTERNATIONAL TINNITUS SELF-
HELP CONVENTION
June 9, 1983 has been set as the meeting date for
self-help group coordinators and other interested members.
This meeting will be hosted by the Bergen County
self-help group, the first tinnitus self-help group to be
organized in the U. S. Attendance at this meeting will
be by advance registration. Please write to ATA, PO
Box 5, Portland, OR 97207 to obtain your registration
packet. Space is limited and priority registration will be
given to self-help group facilitators. REGISTRATION
MATERIALS WILL BE SENT .QN.LY TO THOSE WHO HAVE
MADE THEIR REQUESTS BY MAIL PRIOR TO MARCH
31, 1983. If you think you want to attend this
convention; don't forget to write! The date of this
me.eting has been set to coincide with the Second
International Tinnitus Seminar in New York. There will
be speakers from the American Tinnitus Association and
from the British Tinnitus Association as well as speakers
who are acknowledged to be prominent researchers in the
field of tinnitus and hearing.
2
2. Total avoidance of noise is an impossibility,
However, the use of hearing-protective devices can help
us come through a potentially damaging exposure
unaffected. For short-term use, ear muffs are often
considered best because of their ease of application and
removal. However, most persons find the muffs heavy and
hot for long-term use, In that case, the insert ear plugs
are favored. Many audiologists have become familiar with
hearing protective devices and you may be able to obtain
some guidance from an audiologist in selecting protection
suited to any anticipated noise exposure. Also, safet y
equipment supply outlets have a wide range of hearing
protectors from which to select. These sour ces can be
found by looking in the Yellow Pages under "Safety".
Two types of items are not recommended: swimmer's
plugs and cotton do not provide adequate protection,
3, Abate unnecessary noise over which you have
some control. This step is the most expensive in some
applications, but it offers the most satisfactory long-term
solution to some noise exposure conditions. Replace that
rusted muffler on your lawn mowu. Perhaps you will
then notice little or no change in your tinnitus after
mowing the lawn. See that your recreational equipment
engines are tuned and well muffled. Place sound
absorbing pads under household appliances and note how
much less noise they emit. Mark the "maximum" setting
for the home stereo. Adjust your private listening tape
recorder so you can still hear someone speaking to you
over the programming coming through the headset. Install
acoustical tile in shops and workrooms which have
reverberant acoustic characteristics. When you replace
tools and equipment, purchase quieter units, None of
these suggestions will lead to excessive costs for most of
us, yet they combine to reduce the total noise exposure
in our world.
In sum, the other side of tinnitus is that it can serve as
a useful warning signal when we have experienced
excessive noise exposure. Used as a harbinger of further
hearing problems, tinnitus of this sott can be turned to a
useful purpose. Thus, even the worst of hearing problems
can serve as a good warning. Perhaps that old Texas
saying has some merit after all.
2nd INTERNATIONAL TINNITUS SEMINAR
NEW YORK CITY
JUNE 10,11, 1983
THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL TINNITUS SEMINAR IS
DEDICATED TO THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT
OF THE DISCIPLINE, "TINNITUS"
BASIC SCIENCE, DIAGNOSIS, CONTROL, TREATMENT
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL FACULTY
FOR INFORMATION RELATING TO THIS SEMINAR:
ABRAHAM SHULMAN, M. D. - DIRECTOR
SUNY /DOWNSTATE MEDICAL CENTER - BOX 40
450 CLARKSON AVENUE
BROOKLYN, NY 11203
BARBARA GOLDSTEIN, PH.D., COORDINATOR,
(212) 270-163 8
SUSAN VENTO, SECRETARY, (212) 270-1638
TINNITUS
Fads, Theories, and
Treatments
by Dennis McFadden for Working G roup 89,
Committee on Hearing, Bioacoustics, and Biomechanics,
Notional Research Council
For tinnitus sufferers and for physicians and
hearing specialists, this new volume offers a
wealth of information on the causes, diag-
nosis, and treatment of tinnitus. The study
takes a close look at the safety and effective-
ness of tinnitus masking devices and some
promising new drug therapies. Other topics
include Prevalence of Tinnitus Tinnitus in
Children Meniere's Disease Measuring
Tinnitus Symptoms Psychological Intervention
Surgery for Tinnitus Drugs Causing Tinnitus
Drug Therapy for Tinnitus Allergy and Diet
Biofeedback Standardized Procedures for
Measuring and Evaluating Tinnitus.
Use the order form below to send for TIN-
NITUS: FAGS, THEORIES, AND TREAT-
MENTS. Paperbound copies are $11.25 each.
NEWS from the Department of Health
and Human Services
Dr. Murray Goldstein has been appointed director of the
National Institute of Neurological and Communicat ive
Disorders and Stroke. This agency has primary
r esponsibility within the Federal Government for
supporting and conducting biomedical research on disorders
of the brain, central nervous system, and human
communication, including disorders of speech, language and
hearing.
ATA congratulates Dr. Goldstein on this appointment and
expresses hope that the NINCDS will be generous in
funding research into the problem of tinnitus.
REMEMBER THE MEDICAL INFORMATION
CARD THAT WAS OFFERED IN THE LAST
NEWSLETTER?
If you forgot to send in your request for a card, or would
like to do so, here is the information once again,
Medex Inc., Suite 419, 535 Cordova Road, Santa Fe, New
Mexico 87501 is offering to ATA members the National
Safety Council Information Card, a wallet sized plastic
card with your medical history and information on it for
each,
To obtain the application form for the card you must send
a business size, self-addressed, stamped envelope and 25
cents to the address given above. Instructions on how to
complete the form will come with it, For ATA to
receive a contribution for each of these applications
you must mention the reference number:01059-38i .

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MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
You have all received annual statements within the
past few weeks. We ate grateful to those of you who
have responded so promptly and have provided the
necessary funds to publish this newsletter. It is not
possible for ATA to exist without your individual
contributions. Support for our work comes entirely from
your donations, thee e is no government or institutional
support,
Your annual contribution will automatically bring you
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contribute anything you may receive the Newsletter by
writ ing to us and explaining the circumstances.
Remember, what we are unable to achieve as
individuals may very well be possible as a group. There
is strength in numbers and our presence is beginning to be
felt with those who control the research pursestrings.
Hel-p us to further the cause of tinnitus research by
joining ATA today. If you have lost your statement you
may simply mail a donation to ATA, PO Box 5, Portland,
OR 97207. Your gifts are tax deductible, of course.
HERE'S A WAY YOU CAN HELP US. SEND
IN YOUR OLD PAGE OF CITY ZIP CODES.
Often, when AT A is endeavoring to help someone who is
starting a self-help group for tinnitus, the problem of
identifying :z:ip codes comes up. We have a :z:ipcode
directory which helps some but each city has in its
telephone book a map of that cities :z:ipcodes that is much
more detailed than what is in the natiortal directory.
When you replace your telephone book will you tty to
remember to tear out that page with the :z:ipcode map and
mail it to us, Thanks.
IN MEMQRY QF
Isabelle Blanquer
Barry Ira Frank
Adelaide E. Spagnoli
Stella Wawrzyniak
Jack Tabin
Etta Hayman
Mary Hefley
Mary Hefley
Jessica Gidney
Stanley B. Miller
Helen M. Jacoby
1. S. Haas
John Sullivan
Etta Hayman
Mack Hartfield
Philomena Chicchi
Mr.&Mrs.Wm. Bowman
Dr. Paul Sanfilippo
Mr. Thomas Gibbs
Irene Steiman
Mrs. Frank Terry
Anthony F. Pfeiffer
Carl Miller, Sr.
Dr. H. Adams
Bill Bennett
Mabel Schuster
Fred Housden
Muriel L. Klayton
Millard G.Thomas
IN HONOR QF
Birth of
Ananda Clothier
Adoption of
Marli Thurston
Graduation of
Gloria Reich
Graduation of
Kathleen Blaylock
Friendship of
Ruth Kramer
Tinnitus Research
ATA
ATA
Election to faculty
senate Trudy Drucker
Michael Vigelette
Promotion of
Joyce Koehler
ATA
My Daughter
J o Alexander
Merry Christmas to
Uncle Joe &
Aunt Trudy
Engagement of
Janis Mar a Michael
TRIBUTES
The ATA Tribute Fund is designated 100% for tinnitus
research. Thank you to all those people listed below for
sharing your memorable occasions in this helpful way.
Contributions to the tribute fund are tax deductible and
will be promptly acknowledged with an appropriate card
for the occasion.
Rem ember, you can give beyond your lifetime with a
gift in your will. A legal will can cut red tape for your
heirs. It can benefit ATA too. See your attorney today.
CQNTRIBUTOR
T.Drucker & J. G. Alam
Mr.&. Mrs. Herman Frank
Nancy E. Spagnoli
Esther Wawrzyniak
Helen Tabin
Burton Zitkin
Gloria R eich
Bob Hocks
Rose & Alfred M. Polen
Mr & Mrs Charles T. True
John M. Jacoby
Mrs. Elaine Henning
Melvin Sturz
Burton Zitkin
Phyllis Pugh
August L. Chicchi
Donald Bowman
Kathryn Sanfilippo
Lawrence & Dorothy Maher
Rose & Alfred M. Polen
Mr.&Mrs. Charles T. True
Mr. & Mrs, M.P. Simone
Mr. & Mrs. Louie Dahms
Richard & Bobbie Adams
Doris & Henry Adams
Wanda Strom
Wanda Strom
Mike M. Mills
Marie Thomas
J, Alam & T. Drucker
J. Alam & T. Drucker
J. Alam & T. Drucker
Daniel & Pamela Dimberg
Charlotte D. Kooris
Dale Ducote
Bergen Self-help group
Bergen Self-help group
]. G. Alam
Clara Vigelette
J. Alam & T. Drucker
Bergen Self-help group
Emily S. Kenley
Andrea Hart
J. Alam & T. Drucker
4
BIRTHPAY
Frances J, Smith
Jerry Thomas
Bert Libon
Pamela Traver
James P. Doyle
Joyce E. Koehler
Joseph G. Alam
Sandy Cassel
Andrea A. Hart
Adele B. Alam
Joseph G. Alam
Peggy Doyle
Jules H. Drucker
Kathleen Blaylock
Helen Thorp
Gloria Reich
Gloria Reich
Dr. Max M, Novich
Nina Novich
Jacqueline Doyle
Eve Shaw
Arlene Levy
Dr. Harry Diener
Trudy Drucker
Trudy Drucker
Trudy Drucker
Trudy Drucker
Trudy Drucker
Trudy Drucker
Trudy Drucker
Trudy Drucker
Trudy Drucker
Trudy Drucker
Carolyn Traver
MARRIAGE
Cynthia Pardon
Ginny Smith
Changes of Address
CONTRIBUTQR
Mary E. Tomford
Daniel &; Pamela Dimberg
Ruth Kramer
J. Alam & T. Drucker
J, Alam & T. Drucker
J. Alam & T. Drucker
Adele B. Alam
]. Alam & T. Drucker
J. Alam &: T. Drucker
J, Alam & T. Drucker
Trudy Drucker
J, Alam & T, Drucker
J. Alam & T. Drucker
Daniel & Pamela Dimberg
J, Alam & T. Drucker
Marianne & Phil Feldman
Olivia & Edward Reich
J. Alam & T. Drucker
J. Alam & T. Drucke'
J. Alam & T. Drucker
J, Alam & T. Drucker
J, Alam & T. Drucker
]. Alam & T. Drucker
Eve D. Shaw
J. F. Traver
Sanford Cassel
Mary Cassel
Jules Drucker
Andrea Hart
Mary E. Tully
Joseph G. A lam
A. B. Alam
Mabel L. Hopper
J. Alam and T. Drucker
J. A lam & T. Drucker
J, Alam & T. Drucker
The postal service charges us 25 cents for each
undelivered Newsletter.
Please remember to send in your change of address.
Especially, remember to include your old address
as well as your new address.
OVER EASY
Those of you who were watching this Public Broadcasting
System favorite on December 23, 1982 saw and heard
ATA board member, Dr. Frank Sooy, being interviewed
about the causes and symptoms of tinnitus. Those of you
who missed the first airing will be able to tune in on
March 24, 1983 to see the rebroadcast. Check your local
listing for time and channel, The show is listed as
Program No, 6054 with Phil Harris. Dr. Sooy, Otologist
and former Chancellor of the University of California at
San Francisco is now in private practice in San Francisco.
Cochlear Implant
COCHLEAR IMPLANT QUESTION
ATA member Jim Robuts asked in a recent letter
whether cochlear implant surgery was of possible help to
any tinnitus sufferers. We asked Dr. Derald Brackman to
comment on this question and he has graciously allowed us
to print this article which was originally presented at the
1st International Tinnitus Seminar.
Overview of the single-electrode cochlear Implant system
showing basic external and Internal components. The stimulator
unit Is not shown (see text for description). Eyeglass-mounting Is
the usual method for positioning of the external col/.
REDUCTION OF TINNITUS IN COCHLEAR-
IMPLANT PATIENTS
By Derald E. Brackman M. D.
An interesting and unexpected benefit of the cochlear
implant is a significant reduction in tinnitus in many
patients who use the device.
P atienta aod Matcriala
Dr. William F. House has implanted a single-channel
cochlear implant device in 50 patients. The implanted
electronics are: an induction coil, which is embedded in
the bone in the postauricular area; an active electrode,
which is passed through the opened facial recess into the
round window and approximately 20mm. into the scala
tympani; and a ground electrode which is placed into
either the attic area or Eustachian tube area.
The external electronics include a microphone held at
ear level by a hearing-aid mold. The output of the
microphone is fed to the stimulator, which is the
approximate size of a body-type hearing aid and is carried
in a clothing pocket. The simulator produces a 16k Hz.
carrier frequency which is then amplitude-modulated by
the incoming signal. This amplitude-modulated signal is
then fed to an external coil held over the internal coil by
a mechanism connected to eyeglasses.
Thus, the device converts an incoming acoustic signal
into an electrical signal that modulates a carrier
frequency. This electrical signal is then passed across
the intact skin surface by induction. The active
electrode then transfers this electrical current into the
cochlea. Remaining cochlear neurons are then excited to
produce the sensation of sound.
Auditory Effects
The majority of cochlear-implant patients use their
stimulators from four to twelve hours a day. Most wear
the device all of their waking hours . The auditory
effects produced by the cochlear implant have been
extensively studied and reported elsewhere (House,l976;
Bilger, 1977). All implanted patients have gained the
sensation of sound from the device.
Pre-operative Tinnitus
All 50 implanted patients have a profound bilateral
hearing impairment. Forty patients (80 percent)
complained of varying degrees of tinnitus. Of them, 3 8,
not surprisingly, complained of bilateral tinnitus; two
patients had tinnitus in the operated ear only.
R e ~ u l t a
Data on comparative levels of tinnitus pre-operatively
and after the use of the implant are available for 29 of
the 40 patients with pre-operative tinnitus. Of them,
eight patients (27 percent) reported tinnitus to be absent
in the operated ear; fifteen (52 percent) reported tinnitus
5
to be reduced in the operated ear; and sU: (21 percent)
said tinnitus was the same in the operated ear. No
patient reported tinnitus to be worse after the use of the
implant.
Diacuuion
Two possible effects of the cochlear implant might
explain the reduction of tinnitus in these patients. The
first is the acoustic effect, which is analogous to the
effect produced by a tinnitus-masking device. Several
implanted patients have noted a reduction of tinnitus in
the non-operated ear as well as in the opetated ear.
Patients with tinnitus maskers have reported a similar
effect. When the cochlear implant is used, the acoustic
effect most likely masks the patient's tinnitus. The
effect can be bilateral.
lmpl anted patients also report residual inhibition.
After all-day use of their stimulators, they are free of
tinnitus when they stop use at night and can go to sleep
free of tinnitus. When they awake the next morning,
tinnitus is again present. This represents the phenomenon
of residual inhibition, which has also been described with
the tinnitus-masking device.
The second possible effect of the cochlear implant is
an alteration of the basic physiology of the auditory
system induced by the electrical currents. Possibly the
electrical currents somehow alter the inner-ear potentials
so that spontaneous activity in the cochlea, and thus
subjective tinnitus, are reduced.
When we noted reduction of tinnitus in implanted
patients early in the project, we treated 130 patients
with electrical currents administered through a
transtympanic electrode. We chose alternating currents of
various frequencies between 60 Hz and 25k Hz. The
patients were treated for ten to fifteen minutes on
several occasions. Only twenty per cent of them had
reduction in tinnitus. Because this result is the same as
with placebo treatment of tinnitus patients, we abandoned
studies of electrical stimulation for the treatment of
tinnitus.
Dt. Jean-Marie Ar an has described the use of pulsed
square waves which produce a significant improvement in
tinnitus. Apparently, this type of current, which differs
from the one we used, has a greater effect on the
cochlea and can reduce tinnitus. The finding encourages
continued investigation of elec uic al stimulation for the
treatment of tinnitus.
Conclusion
Approximately 80 per cent of cochlear-implant patients
with pre-operative tinnitus have reported a reduction in
tinnitus after use of the implant. Continued investigation
of electrical stimulation of the inner ear as a treatment
for tinnitus is w arrented.
COPING WITH MY TINNITUS
John D. Dolan
In many atticles written on how to cope with
tinnitus, emphasis is often rightly placed on the
i mportance of our attitude towards it. One suggestion
that is often made is to keep busy, the theory being that
during the pleasures of physical or mental activity we can
"forget" our tinnitus foe a while. I think this is true.
Yet in whatever ways we apply the truth that
distractionss and interest help us to cope, there comes
the: time when we: must go to bed and turn out the light.
What to do then when bells are ringing, steam is hissing,
insects arc chirping, and it's all in our head?
Several yc:au ago I found myself unable: to sleep for
something like: seventy-two hours. V.'hen I "heard" Marlene
Dietrich behind my bookcase singing "La Vie c:n Rose"
over and over and over, I thought 1 was crazy. A friend
knew bc:ttc:r, and tranquilizers got me out of that one.
Not wishing to depend on drugs, I vowed to do something
constructive:. I uied all kinds of conventional remedies
for insomnia: drank milk, exercised, took warm baths,
floated down imaginary rivers. Nothing worked. I began
to dread nights. I feld increasingly isolated and
increaaingly resentful. What "-in anyone else do for you?
You are alone in your sleeplessness; the noises aren't
shared.
I don't usually feel sorry for myself, but I decided
to talk about it. Because I have a severe hearing
disability in both ears, two hearing aids announce that
problem, but how could I talk about invisible tinnitus? I
began by saying that I had tinnitus, and if and when a
penon showed interest, I described mine: bilateral, always
three, sometimes five sounds. Gradually I described these
noises, with pleasant analogies when I was feeling in
control, ugly ones when I wasn't, and emphasized that
they never, ever, stopped. I occasionally said I felt I
could go crazy.
I began to take these words seriously, that is
literally. It became a crucial point that I pace my life,
that I never allow mynl to get over-tired. Not enough,
I think, has bc:en uid about the fact that going to sleep
is not 1omething you do suddenly, something unrelated to
the: rc:st of your day. This is especially true: for people:
who have: tinnitus: we might cope with it successfully
during active: days but the demon is there:, and, ironically,
the demon might be there more at the end of an
eapc:cially active day because: we: are then more tired.
Not enough eithc:r, I think, is made: of the: fact that
coping with tinrutus is a lot of hard work, that it takes
energy. Once: I began to accept this as fact--and it
wasn't c:asy because: life: il. interesting and I hate: saying
"no" to things-1 was able: to communicate: my solution to
others, and eventually what they had sc:cn as "fussy" or
antisocial behavior became acceptable.
Here: are my few rigidly followed rules:
1. Only do something in the evening if it is very
important to you.
2. Before KOing to bed begin to listen to the
noises. Treat them as background noises but don't try to
ignore them. Bc:g1n deliberately to "translate" them into
pleasant sounds.
3. ULW, long before you turn out the light,
engage: in a silent activity such as reading.
4. Plan your days and your evenings around these
two separate times of deliberately confronting your
tinnitus. (The value might only be psychological but it's
helpful: tinnitus might be the reason foe ' the: rules, but
you've: made them, you are following them. You will feel
more in control.
:s. Very clearly and very firmly express to
appropriate people what your routine is, and why it's
necessary. (Going crazy is a very lonely trip.) Being
"over-tired" is not "irritability." Make the difference:
known!
I have had tinnitus for over 12 yc:an. It, and my
hearing losses, arc: getting no better. The cumulative:
effect of tinnitus U. life-threatening. (If your doctor
doesn't take it seriously enough, find another onc:l) Of
course: it's uue that the: fuller one's life is the leas
tinnitus can ruin things, but I insist that the "fullness"
includes friendships only with those people who can
accept the fact that my dc:libc:ratcly paced life, which
includes several houu of being quiet, of having quiet in
the: evening, is nothing less than life-saving. I've lost a
few friends but most people now pleasantly accept the:
fact that tinnitus is an affliction that must be respected.
You can joke-and the: noises can be funny-- but in the
long run it's a constant problem that necessitates a
constant attempt to find a solution.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
The American Tinnitus Association
Statement of Assets and Fund Balance
October 31, 1982
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash in Banks
Marketable Securities
Fixed Assets
Equipment
Accumulated Depreciation
Total Assets
Total
Total
$ 348
11,201
39,379
(25,581)
LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCE
Current Liabilities $ 00
Fund Balance
Fund Balance-beginning
Fund increase (decrease)
$ 38,027
(12,320)
Total Fund Balance
Total Liabilities and Fund Balance
The above numbers were extracted from the
audited year-end statement of the American
Tinnitus Association.
6
$11,549
$14,158
$25,707
$25,707
$25,707
SELF HELP GROUP INFORMATION
In one of the self-help group meetings members were exchanging recollections of how their
tinnitus began. This is one of the anecdotes. "I woke up one freezing winter morning and
thought how well our steam radiators were working. Then I remembered that we don't have
radiators." the among self-help group members arc amusing,
somcumu they arc thcrapcuuc, somcttmes they provide information about local sourc cs of help
that were previously unknown to other members of the group. For these and many other
reasons, self-help groups can be beneficial to tinnitus suffcrcu.
At this writing there arc 60 tinnitus self-help groups either active or in formation. If you
would like to start a group, or be part of an existing one, you may obtain the necessary
information from the ATA office. Please send your request in writing, specifying the words
SELF-HELP, Following is a list of the present self-help group facilitators.
BRASIL TINNITUS CROUP
CUSTAVO JOPPERT
SA LA 10 I
AVE L PAULA MACHADO 826
RIO DE JAN! ERO
BRASIL
TORONTO TINNITUS CROUP
J LECKIE
OUEBEC TINNITUS CROUP
CHRISTINE ROBERG
PARA-HRG;MED ARTS BLD NOR HOSPITAL NOTRE DAME
SU ?- 1?4 ST . CEORCE ST 2965 MILLET
TORONTO, ONTARIO MSR
CANADA
922-4591
LONCUEUIL, QUE J41
CANADA
WESTMOUNT TINNITUS CROUP MEDFORD TINNITUS GROUP Rl TINNITUS CROUP
WILLIAM CRAUSMAN. PH 0 .
100 HIGHLAND AVE
PROVIDENCE Rl 02906
401-2?3 - 0333
MS SUSAN FRYER MIKE MILLS
602 LANSDOWNE APT . 912 W
VSTMOUNT 3600 MYSTIC VALLEY PKWY
QUEBEC H3? 2V8 MEDFORD MA 02155
CANADA
WARREN TINNITUS GROUP
KATHARINA OLGA DUTTON
P . 0. BOX 2? ROUT I 3 I
\JARREN ME 048 64
20?-2?3-219?
BERGEN COUNTY TINNITUS
OR TRUDY DRUCKER
39 HOLIDAY CT
RIVERVALE NJ 0?6?5
20 1-664-?644
MANHATTEN TINNITUS GROUP
MIKE WEBER
BOUTIQUE SPORTSWEAR LTD .
25 E. 86TH ST APT 6-A
NEW YORK NY 10028
2t 2-947-4085
CHESWICK TINNITUS CROUP
MICHAEL DEVLIN
502 PILLOW AVE
CHESWICK PA 15024
MR . SAM HOP MEIER
1211 S . BRENTWOOD
ST .LOUIS , MO 6311?
314-?26-3344
DUNWOODY TINNITUS GROUP
FRANK SCOTCHLASS
5145 HIDDEN BRANCHES DR
DUN\JOODY GA 30338
404-952-2414
WINTER PK TINNITUS CROUP
DWIGHT W. BLACK
900 ORANGE AVE
WINTER PARK FL 32789
305-647-6040
MIAMI BCH TINNITUS CROUP
FREDA PRESS
MARSEILLE DRIVE
MIAMI BEACH FL 33141
617-396-?804
NEWHAVEN TINNITUS GROUP
RAOUL WAGMAN
403 E ELM STREET
NEW HAVEN CT 06511
203-865-3226
WOODSTOWN TINNITUS GROUP
HELEN B HAAF
18 HARRIS LANE
WOODSTOWN NJ 08098
609-?69-2262
LONG ISLAND TINNITUS GRP
IRA ARNOWICH
REDI CUT CARPETS
3545 WEBSTER AVE
BRONX NY 10467
MAINLINE TINNITUS CROUP
MRS . CARMEL DUVAL
8 LLOYD AVE .
MALVERN PA 19355
215-644-629?
ESSEX- MORRIS TINNITUS CRP
LUCY NUGENT
35 NEW ENGLAND OR
LAKE HIAWATHA NJ 0?034
TINNITUS SELF-HELP GROUP
JULES CILBERT
345 EAST 58TH ST
NEW YORK NY 10022
LOWER WESTCHESTER TINNITU
MRS . ALPHONSUS FARRY
81 PINTARO AVE
NEW ROCHELLE 1080 5
NORTH VIRGINIA TINN GRP .
MR JAMES A PETERSON
7619 BOULDER ST
SPRINGFIELD VA 22151
703-569-4454
HUNTINGTON TINNITUS CROUP WALTERBORO TINNITUS CRP
MRS B . C . CYRUS
2128 WILTSHIRE BLVD .
HUNTINGTON WV 25?01
EUSTIS TINNITUS CROUP
KENNETH A WILLSON
114 LAVENDER LANE
HASELTON VILLA
EUSTIS FL 32?2&
MELBOURNE TINNITUS CROUP
KARL KRASNEY
803 S. BABCOCK
SAYRE PLAZA
MELBOURNE FL 32901
?23-U43
JUNIOR PONDS
221 CAROLINA CIRCLE
WALTERBORO SC 29488
803-538-3809
MAITLAND TINNITUS GROUP
BETTY FISHER
80 LOUDON COURT
MAITLAND FL 32?51
MIAMI TINNITUS GROUP
SYLVIA LEON
6896 ABBOTT AVE 2B
MIAMI BEACH FL 33141
305- 861-53:.2
NO MIAMI BCH . TINNITUS GRP TAMPA BAY TINNITUS CROUP
VILLIAM COHEN MARYDEE PEIK RF.ED
.503 526 MEDITERRANEAN OR NO
3675 N. COUNTRY CLUB OR.
NO MIAMI BEACH FL 33180
2?00 BAVSHORE BLVD .
DUNEDIN FL 33525
LOUISVILLE TINNITUS GROUP
HARVIN WEINBERGER
3118 MICHAEL DRIVE
LOUISVILLE KY 40220
502-581-4200
CINCINNATI TINNITUS GROUP
MRS . ESTHER DAVIS
3933 NORTH CLEROSE CIRCLE
CINCINNATI OH 45205
LAKE MILLS TINNITUS GRP
MRS . CLYDE JONES
51? MARGARETTE ST .
LAKE MILLS VI 53551
414-648-815?
NORTH DAKOTA TINNITUS CRP
WAYNE E. NIELSEN
RT . 2
OAKES NO 584?4
PEORIA TINNITUS CROUP
THOMAS A. BUTTS
1?30 TIFFANY COURT
PEORIA IL 61614
TOPEKA TINNITUS GROUP
EO HEHRHOF , M. D
3225 MACVICAR
TOPEKA KS 66606
913-266-8208
OALLAS TINNITUS CROUP
JAMES R. SALTER
ONE TURTLE CREEK VILLAGE
SUITE SZO
DALLAS TX ?5219
214-528-3960
FT COLLINS TINNITUS CRP
DON WILLIAMS
1_?05 HEATHERIDCE RO
APT 1205
FORT COLLINS CO 80525
L A. TINNITUS CROUP
SAM RAPPAPORT
9031 P ICO BLVD
LOS ANGELES CA 90035
DAVIS TINNITUS CROUP
ANN E . TEAL
2?00 ANZA AVE
DAVIS CA 95&16
SELF HELP continued
COLUMBUS TINNITUS CROUP
MRS . JOYCE A. KNAPP
2631 MILLRACE DR .
COLUMBUS OH 43207
614-497-2633
EAST OHIO TINNITUS CROUP NEIJ ORLEANS TINNITUS GRP. BATON ROUGE TINNITUS GRP
MONROE TINNITUS CROUP
MRS RICHARD RICHTER
3567 N OTTER CREEK
MONROE HI 48161
TINNITUS SELF-HELP GROUP
AILEEN BURR
816 MAIN
LEAD SO 57554
MELROSE TINNITUS GROUP
IJALTER CZARNECKI
1303 N. 17TH AVE .
MELROSE PARK IL 60160
312-345-76112
KIRKIJOOD TINNITUS CROUP
ROY SCHUTTE
616 EDNA AVE .
KIRKIJOOD MO 63122
MARY RIESNAK
234 E. FLORIDA AVE
YOUNGSTOWN OH 44507
LANSING TINNITUS CROUP
KATHY FOLTNER.M. A -CCC- A
A-V TESTING CENTER
1319 E. MICHIGAN AVE
LANSING HI 48912
517-372-6725
CRANDFORKS TINNITUS CRP
VIRGINIA DULLUM
3802 SHERRY STREET E-17
GRAND FORKS NO 58201
JOLIET TINNITUS GROUP
DAIJN ROTH, M. A. -CCCA
3077 IJ. JEFFFERSON ST .
JOLIET IL 60435
815-744-3550
LIBERTY TINNITUS CROUP
BOB ARMSTRONG
436 PERSHING
LIBERTY MO 64068
JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST TINNITUS!
JOIN ATA NOW!!!
Your donations are needed to continue ATA 's
services such as the production of this Newsletter.
Please help!!
PubLished by the
JILL MELTZER , M.A.T .
TULANE UNIV.MED SCH . OTO.
1430 TULANE AVE
NEIJ ORLEANS LA 70112
DALHART TINNITUS GROUP
MRS. ANNA GREEN
RT . 1 , BOX 1 9 8
DALHART TX 79022
806-249-2943
IDAHO TINNITUS GROUP
ALVIN IJHITEHOUSE
RT . 4, BOY. 251
OLDTOIJN ID 83822
S. CAL TINNITUS GROUP
AL RALPH
410 SOUTH FIRST #56
EL CAJON CA 92021
442-6748
EMMA MATTHEIJS
1138-103 N. FOSTER OR .
BATON ROUGE LA ?0806
504-924-3461
DENVER TINNITUS CROUP
ROBERT E COLLAIJN
1468 DETROIT ST.#4
DENVER CO 80206
303-399-8524
TUCSON TINNITUS GROUP
CLAIRE L. DUSCH
7 3 5 1 E . S PEE DIJ A Y l!l 8 D
TUCSON AZ 85710
FRESNO TINNITUS GROUP
MARION ALBERT SCHAEFFER
6445 NO LAFAYETTE
FRESNO CA 93?11
SAN FRAN. TINNITUS GROUP
ALFRED BERGER
EUGENE TINNITUS CROUP
MARY DOSHER BONNEY
OHASI CABLE CAR TRAVEL & TOURS
291 GEARY ST . SU 619
2805 SORREL \JAY
EUGENE OR 97401
503-343-3900
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94102
415-421-4874
ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION AMERICAN TINNITUS ASSOCIATION
Member S lS or mort! 0
Susu.ining Member $ 25 or 0
Professional Membe.r $100 or more 0
Beocfjctor 1500 or more 0
YOUR GIFT IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE
AMERICAN TINNITUS ASSOCIATION
A private non-profit corporation
under the Zaws of Oregon
The American Tinnitus Association
Post Office Box 5
Non-Profit Organ.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 1792
Portland, Oregon
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD Abraham ShulDlan, M. D.
New York, New York
Jack D. Clemis, H. D.
Chicago, fllinois Francis Sooy, H. D.
David D. DeWeese, M. 0.
Portland, Oregon
John R. Emett, D.
Memphis, Tennessee
Howard P. House, M. D.
Los Angelos, Cal iorni.a
Robert Johnson, Ph.D.
Portland, Oregon
Lawrence, Ph. D.
Ann Arbor, J.1ichigan
Jerry Northern, Ph. D.
Denver, Co1ot'ado
George F. Ree<l, H. D.
Syracuse, New York
Robert E. Sandlin, Ph. D.
San Diego, California
San Ftancisco, California
Harold G. Tabb, M. 0.
New Orleans, Louisiana
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert Hocks, Chairman
Portland, Oregon
Thomas WissbaUlll, C. P. A.
Portland, Oregon
GloTia E. Reich, M. S.
Portland, Oregon
Executive Director
HONORARY DIRECTORS
Del Clawson. House of Rep. Ret.
Downey, California
Honorable Mark Hatfield
United States Senate
LEGAL COUNSEL
Henry C. Breithaupt
Stoel, Rives, Boley, Fraser & Wyse
Portland, Oregon 97207
(503) 24899B5
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED