The strange thing about the Detinnitiser is that, when correctly used, very
_gentle_ stimulation from it is enough to switch me over from perception of
the tinnitus to that of the Detinnitiser. Since the detinnitiser is running
subjectively _quieter_ than the tinnitus, and is also an _external_ sound
(rather than internal) - it is far less annoying than the tinnitus it
replaces.

What I'm opposed to is the use of the Detinnitiser for 'zapping' the hearing
at a higher sound level. I think this is more the analogy to the example you
give.
The danger of course is that since the hearing of many sufferers is
deficient in the high frequencies (mine isn't) - this zapping can be done
unintentionally. That's why I've removed the downloadable sounds.

Steve O

entconsult@aol.comnospam (ENTconsult) wrote in part:

This what happens when there is a temporary threshold shift after very loud
sound exposure. While I don't know if the "detinnitiser" manages to induce
residual inhibition, that mechanism could use much quieter sound and would
certainly not operate by a mechanism similar to the one you describe.

I understand you to disagree with my concerns in a roundabout
non-confrontational way. Therefore I want to make my viewspoints on
detinnitizers quite clear: they constitute a flawed, illogical concept
that is potentially unsafe.

It remains my opinion that no dettinnitiser that uses high frequency
sound, be it in impulse-form or in steady state, and be it below or
above the raised threshold of the tinnitus sufferer can possibly work
except by pushing the situation back to the pre recovery state prior to
the onset of tinnitus.

Audibility is not a requirement for a sound to have potential to cause
hearing damage, hearing damage - threshold shift, whatever is caused by
the amount of energy transferred, not by the energy being consciously
sensed.

Tinnitus per se should be welcomed because it is a symptom of recovery
taking place, it may be "recovery forever", but it really is about the
auditory system wanting to work. It is not good having a symptom that
indicates that recovery is required and taking place, but it is a lot
better than not having the symptom tinnitus because the recovery it is a
symptom of is abandoned.

It is in my experience very wise to go to occasional classical chamber
music concerts, especially perhaps for those leading a cautiously
noise-reduced life, because it is just the right amount of noise to
allow the sense of hearing to practice acuteness and the applause is
just the right amount of noise to keep a sane perspective on what loud
is, i.e. to avoid psychological hyperacusis. Yes, loud applause may
temporarily worsen tinnutus, but so many sounds may do that, and
remaining used to it eventually subsiding again is a good thing, lest
fear of tinnitus should prevent living life.

  Kind regards

  Peter Larsen