DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have ringing in my ear that gets so bad that it keeps me awake at night. I told my doctor about it, and he said that it was tinnitus and that nothing can be done. During the day, it’s there but not as loud as it is at night. I’d give anything to end it. Can’t anything be done? — B.P.

ANSWER: Tinnitus (TIN-uh-tuss or tuh-NITE-us) is a formidable problem, but some things can be done for it. People who have it describe it as ringing, buzzing, hissing or clanging in one or both ears. The noise can be constant, or it can come and go. It afflicts millions of Canadians and Americans. For some, it is disabling.

At older ages, hearing loss often is the cause. For people with normal hearing, the constant input of background noise silences noises generated in our hearing apparatus and the hearing centers of the brain. When external noises are muffled by deafness, the inner noises become loud. A hearing aid restores sounds from the outside and thus provides dampening of inner-generated noises.

For those whose hearing is normal, cutting back on caffeine and salt and giving up cigarettes helps.

Masking devices are available and work. They look like hearing aids. The devices emit sounds that partially or wholly shut off tinnitus. You can create a similar effect by turning on a bedside radio. It often works better if you dial to a position where only static is heard.

Tinnitus retraining centers exist where a professional teaches patients how to become habituated to inner noises to the point they no longer are aware of them. It’s a long process.

The medicine gabapentin (Neurontin) quiets tinnitus for some.

Do yourself a huge favor. Contact the American Tinnitus Association at www.ata.org. It will provide you with more tips and give you an in-depth discussion of tinnitus and its treatments.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: When I was put on Lipitor for my cholesterol, I had no idea it was going to be a lifelong commitment to it. When my cholesterol drops to normal, can’t I stop it then? I’m not a medicine-taker. — R.T.

ANSWER: Lipitor is one of the statin drugs, the most potent cholesterol-lowering drugs we have. If people make radical changes in their diet, if they adopt a daily, somewhat rigorous exercise program and if they lose excess weight, there is a possibility for control of cholesterol without medication. The diet is one that consists mainly of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. However, our genes often are what raise cholesterol, and no one can do much about genes.

If you have made the above changes and wish to see what happens when you stop the medicine, first talk with your doctor. Have your cholesterol checked before you stop the medicine. Take a month off the medicine and have your cholesterol rechecked. This is the only way you’ll know if you can stop the medicine safely.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My heart’s desire is to have long hair. I would like it to grow to my waist or lower. I have seen pictures of singers and movie stars with such hair.

My hair doesn’t grow longer than my shoulders.

Is there a vitamin or medicine that promotes hair growth? — V.T.

ANSWER: Hair growth is something that is programmed in every individual. The majority of people have a two-year hair-growth cycle. Such a cycle permits hair to grow to shoulder length. A few people have a six-year cycle. These are the people whose hair grows to the waist and even farther.

I wish I had better news for you. I don’t.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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