Is oxytocin the key to treating tinnitus?

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Roughly 50 million Americans hear some form of ringing in their ears even in the absence of an external source of noise. The condition, called tinnitus, is often a temporary affliction, but for about 20 million Americans the perceived ringing, hissing, clicking, roaring, whining, or whooshing sound can be extremely bothersome. And for 2 million Americans, tinnitus can be extreme and debilitating.

Individuals suffering from chronic and severe tinnitus can consider several treatment options available. From hearing aids to sound therapies to medications, the goal of these treatments is to reduce the burden and impact of tinnitus. And for many people, many of the available treatments today are effective.

Recently, however, an initial study by Brazilian researchers noted the possibility of using oxytocin, more popularly known as the “love hormone” to bring relief to people suffering from chronic tinnitus. According to lead researcher Dr. Andreia Azevedo of the department of otolaryngology at the Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, for some patients, spraying oxytocin into the nose resulted in the disappearance of tinnitus and in some cases, reached a non-distress level.

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Dr. Azevedo, however, noted that further research is needed to determine long-term effects of using oxytocin as a tinnitus treatment. Future studies can also look into the effects of increasing doses in relation to improving and lengthening relief.

For people suffering from chronic or severe tinnitus, a cure that will finally silence the disturbing sound from inside their head is what they long for. Perhaps oxytocin will be that cure; but until it has been medically proven and established, the quest for universal treatment continues.

Robert R. Beltran, M.D., specializes in otolaryngology and head and neck plastic surgery. For more discussions on the diseases that otolaryngologists like Dr. Beltran treat, visit this blog.

Voice problems: When hoarseness lingers

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Waking up with a raspy voice after cheering for your favorite football team or singing your heart out at an all-night karaoke party with your coworkers is quite common. Throat soreness can also occur when one is down with the flu. But if hoarseness, or an abnormal change in the voice characterized by breathy, strained, rough, or raspy sound, persists for weeks, then it is pertinent to visit an otolaryngologist who’ll perform a thorough examination and assessment of the condition.

If the hoarseness is not the result of a cold or flu or is accompanied by difficulty in swallowing or pain when speaking, immediate medical attention is also needed. Moreover, evaluation by a physician is recommended if the hoarseness comes with a lump in the throat or difficulty in breathing.

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As a guide, below are three of the most common causes of hoarseness:

Acute laryngitis: This condition occurs when there is swelling of the vocal folds during a common cold, upper respiratory virus, or from vocal strain.

Benign vocal cord lesions: Prolonged hoarseness can lead to nodules, polyps, and cysts. Among those who are at risk of developing nodules, or callus-like growths on the vocal folds, are vocal performers such as singers. Vocal fold polyps and cysts meanwhile occur in those who gravely misuse or abuse their voice.

Vocal hemorrhage: A ruptured blood vessel results in blood leaking into the vocal fold. An indication of this condition is severe hoarseness or sudden loss of voice due to forceful, aggressive, or incorrect voice use. It is considered a serious condition and requires immediate medical attention.

Robert R. Beltran, M.D., specializes in head and neck plastic surgery and otolaryngology. For more on his medical practice, click here.