Tinnitus and the Gatekeeper

Its been long accepted that there are similarities between tinnitus and phantom limb pain in that they both involve having a sensory experience that is generated from within.

Phantom limb pain is where an amputee continues to feel unpleasant feelings in a missing limb although obviously the lost body part cannot be producing the signal. Its believed that the part of the brain that used to process information from say the arm or leg produces its own sensations since it no longer receiving external stimuli.

With tinnitus, the ringing or buzzing isn't actually a sound (a vibration in the air) but instead is being generated from within the nervous system. In many but not all instances tinnitus results from hearing loss. In these cases it is like phantom limb pain: the decrease in stimulation from external sources causes the part of the brain that processes sound to produce its own signal.

Yet another set of neurological processes may be coming into play. It appears that tinnitus may also result from a deficit in a region of the brain known as the ventral medial pre-frontal cortex (VMPC)

The function of the VMPC is to act as a form of gatekeeper that keeps certain stimuli from entering a person's consciousness so it is not overwhelmed. For example, under normal circumstances it keeps you from being aware of the sounds of  your heartbeat and breathing.

Another brain structure, the basal ganglia, is also involved with these kinds of gatekeeper functions and may also have a role in the experience of tinnitus.

These findings may someday lead to an effective pharmaceutical or surgical treatment of tinnitus, although that hasn't happened as of yet.

In the interim, there are interventions that can improve your quality of life. These include:

• Sound masking therapy supervised by an audiologist who specializes in helping tinnitus patients. 
• Psychiatric treatment in cases where severe depression and anxiety are present.
• Training in self-hypnosis and mindfulness meditation. There is a definite link between stress levels and the subjective volume of tinnitus.

I teach a wide variety of mind/body healing techniques to my clients with tinnitus as it gives them a sense of control in a situation that can often seem hopeless.

If you would like to learn more, I am here to help. A free, confidential phone consultation is available, call (732) 714-7040.

Reference for this article: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/science-july-dec13-tinnitus_11-06/