Royal Marine Receives Pioneering Tinnitus Therapy... With An iPod!

A former Royal Marine has become the first UK veteran to benefit from an iPod-based treatment for debilitating tinnitus.

Harris Tatakis developed the severe ringing in his ear after his WMIK Land Rover drove over an IED in Afghanistan in April 2007.

The blast not only ruptured his eardrums but also caused brain damage, shattered his left leg, broke his right foot and left him paralysed for two days.

After 10 years of suffering and having to learn how to lip read, Tatakis stumbled across Levo through a Google Alert he had set up in efforts to relieve the condition.

Levo delivers treatment through an iPod while a person is sleeping. A personalised sound stimulates the hearing part of the brain, teaching the brain to ignore the hissing or buzzing associated with tinnitus.

When he found Levo online, his next step was to apply for a Royal British Legion grant to cover the costs of his treatment.

Since starting treatment in January, his symptoms have reduced to a point that he is able “to function again as a human being”.

Tatakis found that the NHS could only help him “to a degree” prompting him to look for alternative solutions.

At the time of the explosion, Harris was serving with the 42 Commando’s Lima Company.

The blast was so powerful he was found 35 meters away from the armoured Land Rover.

He was then taken back to the UK for treatment at Selly Oak Hospital and Headley Court. He said:

“It was like a dentist drill or fog horn constantly going off in my head which I couldn’t get away from. I couldn’t tolerate people talking around me. Everything was horrendously loud and I couldn’t get away from it.”

Since participating in the US-developed treatment as well as desensitisation therapy, Tatakis said:

“I’m getting my confidence back and I feel like I am part of society again."

Tatakis is the first UK veteran to receive this particular treatment, which is being funded through the Veterans Hearing Fund – managed by The Royal British Legion.

He is now one of the ambassadors for this year’s Poppy Appeal, his message is one of encouragement to any who may be in his previous position:

"The Royal British Legion is out there supporting me by paying for the treatment, and I'd encourage anyone in my position to make the most of the help.

"The Legion is here for us whether we're young or old and that's a wonderful thing.

"People suffer in silence because they don't know where to go.”

Harris Tatakis joined the Royal Marines in 1998, following in the military footsteps of his father who served in the Royal Navy.

He served with 3 Commando Brigade in Kosovo, twice in Iraq and twice in Afghanistan where he received operation service medals.

Cover picture courtesy of The Royal British Legion/PA.