Tinnitus Treatments
The Complexity of Tinnitus and the Emergence of Stem Cell Therapy
Tinnitus, a hearing loss disorder, is more often than not a symptom of an underlying condition such as ear damage or issues within the circulatory system. It is characterized by a relentless ringing in the ears or head, which isn’t caused by any external source. This sound, while inaudible to others, can be a source of persistent discomfort to the affected individual.
The Two Faces of Tinnitus: Subjective and Objective
Tinnitus presents itself in two main forms: subjective and objective. Subjective tinnitus, the most common variant, is only perceptible to the affected individual. It generally arises due to issues within the auditory nerves or problems concerning the outer, middle or inner ear. On the other hand, objective tinnitus is a rare form of this disorder, in which the tinnitus noise can be heard by a doctor during a thorough ear examination. It’s primarily caused by either a muscle contraction or a blood vessel issue.
The Multitude of Tinnitus Triggers
Approximately one in every five people worldwide is affected by tinnitus, with the root cause varying significantly among patients. Common triggers can range from age-related hearing loss, particularly prevalent in those over the age of 60, to exposure to loud noises such as heavy machinery or portable music devices. Additionally, an accumulation of excess earwax, which typically aids in trapping dirt, dust and bacteria, can induce tinnitus by irritating the eardrum. Changes in ear bone structure, known as otosclerosis, Meniere’s disease, head or neck injuries, malformed capillaries, high blood pressure, and certain medications can also result in tinnitus.
Decoding Tinnitus: Recognizing its Symptoms and Dispelling Myths
Tinnitus symptoms include a myriad of sounds such as buzzing, roaring, clicking, hissing, and ringing. Despite the persistence and irritation these symptoms cause, it’s crucial to dispel some prevalent myths about this disorder. Firstly, tinnitus is not a disease but a term used to denote internally generated noise. Secondly, while tinnitus can create a perception of hearing impairment, it does not cause deafness. Instead, it is the increased focus on internal sounds due to reduced external noise perception that intensifies the awareness of tinnitus. Lastly, surgical interventions like cutting the auditory nerve won’t cure tinnitus since it’s perceived in the brain, and mitigation can only occur through natural perception changes or certain interventions.
Harnessing the Power of Stem Cells for Tinnitus Treatment
Currently, researchers are exploring ways to regenerate sensory hair cells using gene therapy and produce stem cells for re-injection into the damaged area. They harness the regenerative potential of stem cells to repair the damaged cochlea’s hair cells, the primary culprits behind tinnitus. Injecting new stem cells into the glial scar surface, as opposed to underneath it, enhances their survival. These stem cells then migrate from the cochlea to the brain stem, regulating signal flow from the brain to the ear and restoring hearing function.
Exploring the Different Modalities of Stem Cell Injections for Tinnitus
Three primary methods are used to administer stem cell therapy for tinnitus. IV Infusion Cell therapy directly infuses stem cells into the patient’s bloodstream. Local stem cell injections deliver the cells directly to the target tissues around the ears. Depending on the specifics of the case, Inner Ear Injections are administered to the inner and/or middle ear.
A Customized Approach to Tinnitus Stem Cell Treatment
BioCellSupply provides a unique and tailor-made stem cell treatment program for tinnitus. This process begins with an initial consultation, following which an information pack detailing the therapy type, mode of injection, the number of stem cells to be injected, and treatment advice is given to the patient. The standard treatment procedure for tinnitus includes a 5-day program with 2-4 stem cell therapy sessions, along with Stem Cell exosome injections.