Tinnitus, Hyperacusis, Hearing Loss, Dizziness and Vertigo Resources for Patients and Professionals

Tinnitus clinics in the United States are listed via links within the following four sites below. The true art of tinnitus care will vary from clinic to clinic and professional to professional, so patients must exercise good judgement in selecting the right clinic for themselves. These lists are mentioned as a good starting point for patients searching for a tinnitus specialist. Hopefully, prospective patients can save some time narrowing their search for a caring and knowledgable professional genuinely interested in rendering custom tinnitus and hyperacusis care.

1. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) Association, www.tinnitus-pjj.com
2. Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment Site, www.neuromonics.com
3. Tinnitus Specialist Resource list compiled by the American Tinnitus Association (ATA), www.ata.org Phone: 1-800-634-8978
4. General Hearing Instruments, Inc., www.generalhearing.com

Tinnitus Information On the World Wide Web (Theory and Practice) - see the 'educational links' page for live navigation

• www.tinnitus-pjj.com (Pawel J. Jastreboff, Ph.D. - neurophysiologist)
• www.tinnitus.org (Mr. Jonathan W. P. Hazell - otologic surgeon)
• www.tinn.com (Dr. Stephen M. Nagler - general surgeon)
• www.tinnitus-audiology.com (Marsha Johnson, MS, CCC-A, FAAA- audiologist)
• www.tinnitus-hyperacusis.com (LaGuinn Sherlock, Au.D., FAAA/CCC-A, audiologist, U. of Maryland Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Center, Baltimore, Maryland. New website (cut and paste the following: http://www.umm.edu/otolaryngology/tinnitus.htm or call for an appointment: 410-328-5947)
• http://research.meei.harvard.edu/EPL/RAL_website/index.html Robert A. Levine, MD, Neurologist and Director of the Tinnitus Clinic, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and the Eaton-Peabody Laboratory, Boston, MA
  
• OHSU Tinnitus Clinic, Oregon Health Sciences University Tinnitus Clinic (America's First Dedicated Tinnitus Center dating back to the early 1970's), Portland, OR, Director: William H. Martin, Ph.D.
  
• www.tinnitusarchive.org, The Oregon Tinnitus Archive, Oregon Hearing Research Center, Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), managed by Mary Meikle, Ph.D.
• University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Tinnitus Clinic, Director: Richard S. Tyler, Ph.D.
• OtoNeurology Home Page, www.dizziness-and-balance.com (Timothy C. Hain, M.D. - Oto-Neurologist, Chicago)
• www.healthyhearing.com (Douglas L. Beck, Au.D., editor-in-chief

www.ata.org The American Tinnitus Association (ATA), Portland, OR. This site features a broad scope of tinnitus information including archived publications, online chats with professionals, helpful links, world-wide tinnitus research updates, FAQs, and support group announcements. Highly recommended. Membership dues ($35) help promote efforts to improve quality of life through education, advocacy, research and support. A quarterly journal is included along with access to archived articles over the past decade.

www.vestibular.org (Vestibular Disorders Association, Portland, OR) Excellent resource for information on balance disorders. Membership dues ($25-35) help fund education and awareness efforts, as well as support for patients with dizziness and imbalance. A quarterly newsletter filled with medical articles, research highlights, and events is included with dues. A very professional and informative links page has recently been added.

Hearing Instrument Companies specializing in custom and ready-to-wear sound generators for the purposes of facilitating habituation of tinnitus reaction and perception:

General Hearing Instruments, Inc. (GHI), P. O. Box 23748, New Orleans, LA 70183-0748. 1-800-824-3021. Name of products: Simply Tranquil, Tranquil and Harmony. These sound generator devices have been helping patients for over a decade. See their website for more information and specifications. Website: www.generalhearing.com. 

Amplisound [formerly United Hearing Systems (UHS)], 594 Putnam Road (Route 12), Danielson, CT 06239. Phone: 1-800-835-2001. Name of product: Solace. Amplisound makes versatile open-fit, ear-level sound generators as well as a brand new combination unit for fulfilling technological requirements  of patients undergoing appropriate therapy for tinnitus and/or hyperacusis. For more info please visit the website:  www.amplisound.com

Starkey Laboratories, Inc., 6700 Washington Ave. South, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. 1-800-328-3897. Name of products: Starkey masker and/or combination unit (sound generator plus hearing aid all in one device). Website: www.starkey.com. Contact: Michael Block, Ph.D., Director of Customer Resources for MicroTech, a subsidiary of Starkey Labs for current info.

 
Fall 2008:  Siemens Corporation has just re-introduced some a tinnitus relief product. More info to follow soon.

 
The Trans-Ear bone conduction hearing aid for those with single-sided deafness interested in a non-surgical option is now available. Upgraded circuitry and design just released - October 2008. For more info: www.transear.com

Textbooks, Handbooks & Paperbacks

1. Baloh, Robert W: Dizziness, Hearing Loss, and Tinnitus. F. A. Davis Co., Philadelphia, 1998. ISBN 0-8036-0330-4.
2. Herdman, Susan J: Vestibular Rehabilitation - 2nd edition. F.A.Davis Co., Philadelphia, 2000. ISBN 0-8036-0444-0.
3. Furman JMP, Cass SP: Vestibular Disorders: A Case Study Approach. Oxford University Press, 2002. ISBN 0195145798.
4. Furman JMP, Whitney SJ: Otoneurology, An Issue of Neurologic Clinics Vol. 23, No. 3. Saunders August 2005. ISBN 1-4160-2830-7. 240 pages.
5. Goebel, Joel A: Practical Management of the Dizzy Patient. Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2001. ISBN 0781718201.
6. Baloh RW, Honrubia V: Clinical Neurophysiology of the Vestibular System. Oxford University Press, 3rd Ed., 2001. ISBN 0195139828.
7. Leigh RJ, Zee DS: The Neurology of Eye Movements. Oxford University Press, 3rd Ed., 1999. ISBN 0195129725.
8. Brandt T: Vertigo - Its Multisensory Syndromes, 2nd Ed. Springer-Verlag 1999. ISBN: 3540199349.
9. Brandt T, Dieterich M, Strupp M: Vertigo and Dizziness. Springer Oct. 2004. ISBN 1852338148. 208 pages.
10. Shepard NT, Telian SA. Practical Management of the Balance Disorder Patient. Singular Publishing Group, Inc. 1st Ed. 1996. ISBN: 1879105845.
11. Jackler RK, Brackman DE: Neurotology. CV Mosby, 2nd Ed. 2004. ISBN: 0323018300. September 24, 2004 release date. 1200 pages.
12. Lustig LR, Niparko JK, Minor LB, Zee DS. Clinical Neurotology: Diagnosing and Managing Disorders of Hearing, Balance, and the Facial Nerve. T & F STM 1st Ed. 2002. ISBN: 1901865495.
13. Lalwani AK, Grundfast KM. Pediatric Otology and Neurotology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1st Ed. 1998. ISBN: 0397514662. 728 pages.
14. Ludman H, Wright T. Diseases of the Ear. Arnold Publishers 6th Ed. 1998. ISBN: 0340564415.
15. Luxon L, Furman JM, Alessandro M, Dafydd S, Stephens G. Audiological Medicine. T & F STM 1st Ed. 2002. ISBN 1901865347. 975 pages.
16. Lalwani A. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (Lange Current Series). McGraw-Hill/Appleton & Lange, 1st Ed. 2004. ISBN: 0071402373. 528 pages.
17. Highstein SM, Fay RR, Popper AN: The Vestibular System (Springer Handbook of Auditory Research, V. 19). Springer-Verlag, March 2004, ISBN 0387983147.
18. Jacobson GP, Newman CW, Kartush JK. Handbook of Balance Function Testing. Singular 1st Ed. 1997. ISBN 1565939077. 451 pages.
19. Katz J, Burkard R, Medwetsky L. Handbook of Clinical Audiology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 5th Ed. 2001. ISBN: 0683307657. 814 pages.
20. Hall JW. Handbook of Otoacoustic Emissions. Singular 1st Ed. 2000. ISBN 1565938739. 635 pages.
21. Tyler R. Tinnitus Treatment. Thieme Medical Publishers. Projected Spring 2006 release. ISBN: 1588901815. Approximately 304 pages.
22. Snow JB: Tinnitus Theory and Management, BC Decker Inc. 2004. ISBN 155009243X. Edited by NIH Tinnitus Research Consortium director, James B. Snow, Jr. MD. Superb reference text, 368 pages plus CD-ROM for easy computer viewing.
23. Jastreboff, PJ, Hazell, JWP: A Neurophysiological Approach to Tinnitus: Theory and Practice. Cambridge University Press. Released Oct. 2004, 276 pages. ISBN 0521592569. Concise, practical, and authoritative text with highlighted pearls and updated figures on the neurophysiological model of tinnitus. Essential for all professionals rendering care to tinntus patients.
24. Sismanis, Aristides (Ed.): Tinnitus - Advances in Evaluation and Management. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. Elsevier Science (USA), 36:235-401, 2003.
25. Proceedings of the Seventh International Tinnitus Seminar, Perth, Australia 2001. Order online through Mr. Jonathan Hazell's website: www.tinnitus.org.
26. Tyler, Richard S (Ed.). Tinnitus Handbook. Singular Thomson Learning, San Diego, 2000. ISBN 1-56593-922-0. Watch for Dr. Tyler's new 2006 Thieme text on Tinnitus Treatment mentioned above.
27. Newman CW, Jacobson GP, Spitzer JB: Development of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996 Feb;122(2):143-8.
28. Henry JA, Schechter MA, Nagler SM, Fausti SA: Comparison of Tinnitus Masking and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. J Am Acad Audiol 13:559-581, 2002.
29. Aggleton JP: The Amygdala - A Functional Analysis, 2nd Ed.Oxford Univ. Press. 2000. ISBN 0198505019
30. LeDoux, Joseph: The Emotional Brain. Touchstone Simon and Schuster. 1996. ISBN: 0684803828.
31. LeDoux, Joseph: Synaptic Self - How Our Brains Become Who We Are. Penguin Books, 2002. ISBN 01420017839 (pbk), 0670030287 (hc).
32. Vernon JA, Tabachnick-Sanders, B: Tinnitus: Questions and Answers. Allyn & Bacon, 1st Ed. 2001. ISBN 0205326854. Features excellent Socratic Q & A style. Jack Vernon, PhD is the father of modern tinnitus therapy and director of the first tinnitus clinic in the world located in Portland, Oregon. Available through the ATA, 1-800-634-8978. $30.00.
33. Vernon JA: Tinnitus: Treatment and Relief. Allyn & Bacon 1997. ASIN 0205182690. $17.95
34. Henry JL, Wilson PH: Tinnitus: Self-Management Guide for the Ringing in Your Ears. Available through the ATA, 1-800-634-8978 or www.ata.org. $23.50.
35. Hogan K. Tinnitus: Turning the Volume Down. Network 3000 2nd Rev. Ed. 2003. ISBN: 097093212X. $19.99.
36. Johnson ML. What Do You Do When the Medications Don't Work? A Non-Drug Treatment of Dizziness, Migraine Headaches, Fibromyalgia, and Other Chronic Conditions. Jokamar-Jenake Publishing 2003. ISBN: 0974581801.
37. Wazen J: Dizzy: What You Need to Know About Managing and Treating Balance Disorders. Fireside, 2004. ISBN 074323622X. Paperback book for non-specialists and patients/families written by a neurotologist. Includes basic overview of dizziness, vertigo and balance disorders including testing and treatment and excellent information on dietary recommendations for those on low caffeine and salt diets. Easy to read in a day and very practical. Available at local bookstores.
38. Prasher D, Luxon L: Biological Effects of Noise. Whurr Publishers Ltd. London. ISBN: 1861560753.
39. Henry JL, Wilson PH: The Psychological Management of Chronic Tinnitus. Allyn and Bacon 2001. ISBN: 0-205-31365-5.
40. Hamid, M: Medical Otology and Neurotology. Thieme Medical Pub., 1st Ed. ISBN: 1588903028. Estimated release date March 2006. $69 plus shipping. For more information on Mohamed Hamid, MD, PhD, medical hearing and balance specialist, engineer, and scientific author in Ohio, please google the keywords that follow in this address: http://www.clevelandhearingbalance.com/mahprofile.htm

Sound Therapy Product Information and Reviews

• Robb, MJA: Tinnitus Device Directory, Part I. Tinnitus Today, 28:2:22-23 June 2003, www.ata.org. 1-800-634-8978.
• Robb, MJA: Tinnitus Device Directory, Part II. Tinnitus Today, 28:3:14-17 Sept. 2003, www.ata.org. 1-800-634-8978. Call the ATA for your free directory copy.
• Tinnitus Masker Pro by Vector Media Software: free online acoustic audition www.relaxingsoftware.com/tinnituspro/tinnituspro.htm
• General Hearing Instruments (www.generalhearing.com), United Hearing Systems (www.unitedhearing.com) and Starkey (www.starkey.com) are the three companies currently producing in-the-ear or behind-the-ear custom 'wearable' sound generators to facilitate habituation of the tinnitus reaction & percept while undergoing Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) as developed by Drs. Jastreboff and Hazell. Please check their websites and click on "tinnitus devices or tinnitus" for more specific information on sound generators like the GHI Tranquil, UHS Solace and the Starkey Tinnitus Masker.
• Hi-Sonic Tinnitus Relief Device: www.hearinginnovations.com; www.misonix.com
• UltraQuiet: www.hearultraquiet.com

1. Body Language Vitamin Company. www.bodylangvitamin.com. Medical Director: Michael D. Seidman, M.D. Dr. Seidman is a Herb Silverstein fellowship-trained neurotological surgeon who completed a Bachelors Degree in Human Nutrition before entering medical school. He cares for hearing loss and tinnitus patients at Henry Ford Medical Center in Detroit and also conducts basic science research in hearing and tinnitus. He has developed excellent patented anti-oxidant, vitamin and essential oil formulas for children and adults. There is robust animal research and some human research supporting many otoprotective componds used in his formulas. The website is very informative.
2. Arches Tinnitus Relief Formula. Salt Lake City, UT. www.tinnitusformula.com. 1-800-486-1228. Director: Barry Keate. This online company sells a very good quality Gingko Biloba as well as sublingual vitamin B12 and high-potency B complex vitamins. Body Language Vitamin Products are also distributed on this site and are not to be confused with Arches formulas. Body Language Vitamin formulae are different than Arches formulas.
   

Support Groups

• List of nationwide support groups and meeting times available @ ATA, www.ata.org
• "Hear Together" - Phoenix, Arizona Tinnitus Support Group sponsored by the ATA. They meet the first Monday of every month, 7-9pm at Denny's Restaurant on Scottsdale Rd just North of Osborn Road. Director: Bill Teske. Website: www.aztecfreenet.org/tinnitus/
• West Phoenix Tinnitus Support Group, Abbott Hearing Center, West Bell Road in Surprise, check www.ata.org for more details. This group convened for the first time in Sept. 2005. Recent meetings have taken place in Glendale under the direction of Mr. Jim Soudriette.
  
• Self-Help for the Hard of Hearing
• Deafness Research Foundation
• International tinnitus message boards. http://pub126.ezboard.com/btinnitussupport92262 or Google: "tinnitus message board." There are about 10 tinnitus and hyperacusis boards; www.ezboard.com. Read at your own risk if you must.
• Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center Vestibular Support Group, 1012 East Willetta St., Phoenix, AZ 85006. (602) 239-2317. Contact vestibular therapists: Shelly Massingale, Andrea Ellensohn, Amy Alexander or Mike Hacker for more information.
• Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA) www.vestibular.org.

Basic Science Hearing Research Centers

• University of Wisconsin, Madison - Auditory Neurophysiology
• University of Washington - Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center
• Kresge Hearing Research Institute/Lab, University of Michigan and LSU
• Harvard University - Eaton Peabody Laboratory
• The MIT Speech and Hearing Program
• Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri - Cochlear Physics Lab
• Washington University in St. Louis - Central Insitute for the Deaf
• National Institutes of Health NIDCD - Biophysics Section
• Univ. Connecticut, Farmington - The Kim Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory
• Loyola University - Parmly Hearing Institute
• UC Berkeley - Auditory Perception Lab
• Boys Town National Research Hospital - Boys Town Cochlear Mechanics
• Others
  

Artistic Cochlea Sites

• The Cochlea Homepage by F. Mammano & R. Nobili, Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Foundation for Advanced Biomedical Research, Padova, Italy. Superb website: www.vimm.it/cochlea/
• Promenade 'Round the Cochlea' by R. Pujol, V. Reclar-Enjalbert, T. Pujol, S. Blatrix. Universite Montpellier I, CRIC, LIPcom, Inserm in France. Text in French and English. Superb website. Google: "Promenade 'round the Cochlea"
• And others
  

Recent and upcoming conferences

• University of Iowa Tinnitus Conference every September in Iowa City, IA - Director: Richard S. Tyler, Ph.D.
• Regional Tinnitus Symposiums, bi-annually, sponsored by ATA - www.ata.org

Instructional courses on Tinnitus Treatment and Management / TRT

• University of Iowa Tinnitus Symposium, Iowa City, IA. The meeting is held every September and is directed by Richard S. Tyler, Ph.D.
  
• The official TRT course by Drs. Pawel and Margaret Jastreboff, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, www.tinnitus-pjj.com. Course conducted annually.
• British TRT course by Jacqueline Sheldrake and Mr. Jonathan Hazell, London, England, www.tinnitus.org

Sample tinnitus interview

www.tinnitus.org by Mr. Jonathan W. P. Hazell (British Neuro-Otologist); this online recording requires equalization boosts in the midrange and highs and/or low frequency cuts to enhance intelligibility of the interview.

Inspirational Message

"Hope, control and relief are realistic goals which can be achieved in time for patients suffering from tinnitus and sound sensitivity. A customized and multidisciplinary approach utilizing education, supportive and directive counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, sound therapy, hearing amplification, otonutrition, otoprotection, pharmacotherapy and surgery when indicated, are the essential tools which the patient-doctor team uses to build many roads to relief and, ultimately, improved quality of life."

- Michael J. A. Robb, M.D.

Revised: October 17, 2009