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January 02, 2010

Music For My Ears

Anytime I hear (pun intended) that music is helping someone, I applaud. Music has been my saving grace from childhood traumas, through troubled teenage years in foster homes and devastating adult relationships. Yes, I would say that music is important to me.

This article in Scientific American brings hope to people suffering the effects of tinnitus.

"Loud, persistent ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus, can be vexing for its millions of sufferers. This perceived noise can be symptomatic of many different ills—from earwax to aging—but the most common cause is from noise-induced hearing loss, such as extended exposure to construction or loud music.

Many people with tinnitus might soon be able to find refuge in the very indulgence that often started the ringing in the first place: music. A new music-based therapy has shown promise in helping reduce the ringing's volume. Tinnitus loudness can be significantly diminished by an enjoyable, low-cost, custom-tailored notched music treatment.

The therapy might also get a boost from the simple pleasure of listening to good music. Joyful listening to music activates the reward system of the brain and leads to release of dopamine, which plays an important role in cortical reorganization.
"

This article in BBC News has supporting information.

Win-Win!! Music therapy. My kind of music.

19 comments:

Yousei Hime said...

Whether anything melts or not, the sun is very welcome these days--a herald of more light each day, longer days, and shorter winters

Good to know all I might have to do to reduce ear-ringing is listen to some good music. This was fun. Thanks for sharing it.

Jason, as himself said...

Very interesting! Maybe that's my MIL's problem.

Cindy said...

I thought this was pretty interesting. I have never had the ringing in the ears. When I got Cataplexy ny hearing actually improved. Go figure. Take care.

Casey Freeland said...

So, that joy I feel when that certain song gets me moving as I cruise down the road, singing to nobody, bouncing in my seat, is dopamine. Cool. :)

Cheers,

SLC

Brian Miller said...

with the kids i work with, music can make all the difference...and for me too. smiles.

Beth said...

I have had tinnitus my whole life as a result of the hearing loss with which I was born (at least I think that is where the tinnitus came from). Interesting to hear that music therapy can help. Now I won't feel as guilty when I plug in my iPod.

King of New York Hacks said...

Love reading Scientific American...I am hoping they produce an article how a scary reflection on my last post appeared..apparently this man scared the shit out of many !! ...but back to the ringing, I can deal with that, what can I do for all the voices though ??

Unknown said...

Interesting; I suffer from tinnitus from time to time.

thanks for dropping by my blog!

gayle said...

Love listening to music in my car!!

Unknown said...

Music is the soundtrack of life. Sounds cheesy, I read it somewhere. :)

Ms Hen's said...

This is interesting. Thanks for visiting my blog too. I thank you very nice comment. Betty Ann aka Ms. Hen

Claudya Martinez said...

That's wonderful. I went through a very difficult period and I found myself having issues with tinnitus. It may have been caused by some medicine I was taking, but I found it maddening.

Wanted to stop by and say Happy New Year!

Ronda Laveen said...

This is so cool. I know so many people with tinnitus that this could help.

Anonymous said...

Definitely sharing your love of music - just wish I didn't love it so loud! At least I know what to do now...

Joanna Jenkins said...

Music is sooooo important n so many levels. This is one more good example. Thanks for sharing.
xo

Shadow said...

music definately soothes the soul.

surjit singh said...

Very interesting article.Thanks for sharing.

Cristin said...

So very cool. My kid is Deaf, so when there is music playing, it is LOUD, and I wonder if I am causing damage to my own hearing.

Julie said...

Great article. I've always thought that music is therapy. Writing, too. Reading that music can help alleviate physical symptoms is interesting. Mind and body are so closely connected.