Medical Care for Tom McDermott (Tinnitus)

Hi, my name is Lisa D'Amour and I am fundraising for dear friend Tom McDermott - one of New Orleans' most treasured jazz pianists. Tom needs our help healing his severe tinnitus - an incessant ringing in his ears. You've seen him at Jazz Fest, Snug Harbor, 3 Muses and of course his beloved long-standing Thursday night gig at Buffa's. Tom carries the flame of James Booker, reinvents Brazilian choros, hosts legendary house concerts at his own Silky Satin Lounge and is a devoted friend to so many of us.

Can you imagine living this "all ears" life with a constant ringing in your ears? The condition is making it extremely difficult for him to work and is taking a serious toll on his mental health, his sleep, daily routines and social life. There is currently no cure for tinnitus, though Tom has tried dietary changes, hearing aids and reiki.

Now, Tom would like to try the Lenire - a new device designed to soothe the effects of tinnitus. You can learn more about the Lenire HERE, And I have written more about tinnitus at the end of this note.

There is a clinic on the Northshore who will work with him, but the Lenire is not covered by insurance, and costs about $4500. So, let's raise $6500 for Tom to cover the device, any other doctor visits, acupuncture and other treatments Tom would like to try to soothe his condition. We need Tom healthy, happy and in our orbit!

If you've been wowed by a Tom McDermott concert, been charmed by one of his limericks, played a duet or taken a class with Tom, or simply received joy from his smile or tip of his hat -- please consider donating to this cause.

Lisa D'Amour

ABOUT TINNITUS

Tinnitus (pronounced tih-NITE-us or TIN-uh-tus) is the perception of sound that does not have an external source, so other people cannot hear it.

Tinnitus is commonly described as a ringing sound, but some people hear other types of sounds, such as roaring or buzzing. Tinnitus is common, with surveys estimating that 10 to 25% of adults have it.

Currently, there is no cure for tinnitus, but there are ways to reduce symptoms. Common approaches include the use of sound therapy devices (including hearing aids), behavioral therapies, and medications.

One leading theory is that tinnitus can occur when damage to the inner ear changes the signal carried by nerves to the parts of your brain that process sound. A way to think about this is that while tinnitus may seem to occur in your ear, the phantom sounds are instead generated by your brain, in an area called the auditory cortex.

Other evidence shows that abnormal interactions between the auditory cortex and other neural circuits may play a role in tinnitus. The auditory cortex communicates with other parts of the brain, such as the parts that control attention and emotions, and studies have shown that some people with tinnitus have changes in these nonauditory brain regions.

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