by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A lady wrote: Some drugs, such as Neurontin [Gabapentin] or Xanax [Alprazolam] have been recommended as treatments for tinnitus. Is not this contradictory since they can also cause tinnitus? Xanax does lower it for me, temporarily; and Neurontin does lower it while the drug is in my system. The above drugs […]
Ear Problems
Hearing Loss and Ear Wax
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A lady wrote: I read your article [Sudden Hearing Loss Is a Medical Emergency] as I am suffering a single-ear hearing loss. It started two days ago when I woke up. It felt like something was blocking my left ear. It was not very severe though. But today when I woke […]
“Kiss of Deaf” or “Reiter’s Ear Kiss Syndrome” (REKS)
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. Kissing causes hearing loss? You’ve got to be kidding! Actually, it’s true. Not all kissing, mind you, but kissing someone on their ear can be dangerous to their hearing health. Here’s the incident that brought this fact to light. A mother and her 4-year-old daughter were sitting on the floor watching […]
LVAS and Genes—Have They Found Them All?
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. More and more children are being found to have a hearing loss due to what is called Large (or Enlarged) Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome (abbreviated to either LVAS or EVAS). LVAS is passed on from generation to generation by recessive genes. That much researchers know. How many genes are involved […]
Causes of Tinnitus
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A lady asked: What causes ringing in both ears? There are a good number of causes of ringing in the ears—what we call tinnitus. Here are some of them. Exposing your ears to loud sounds Taking any of the 450 drugs that can cause tinnitus Hearing loss, especially sudden hearing loss […]
Charles Bonnet Syndrome
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A lady wrote: Strange things are happening now with my eyesight. I used to get a head-size black spot in front of one eye. Recently I got a large white one. On Sunday, when I took a bath, it had changed suddenly to a real face. I opened and closed my […]