Hi Carol:
I have mentioned that I was using TRT as a treatment before and got a pretty cold response. It is hard to change peoples' attitudes. I must admit even though I was receiving newsletters, I didn't really read many of them as everyone on them was telling a depressing story of how they weren't getting anywhere with their treatments and how bad life was living with tinnitus. But nobody was interested in giving TRT a go. I was in a pretty fragile state then; I didn't want to read or hear anything negative about it. I don't know if that was selfish but I had to stay positive and only hear positive things. So I read and re-read your book and hi-lighted all the positive words from both you and Dr. Jastreboff. I hope you know how much you helped me! I feel so sorry for all of these people; I hope they find relief soon. And I hope they can be open minded enough to give TRT a go and not listen to it's knockers.

Take care and have a great New Year
Sally - from Australia (completely recovered now).

Carol,
Just took your book off the shelf and will look through it in bed before I go to sleep.  It used to make me cry and laugh in the midst of the torture.  I would read it at night with my head screaming with sound and would cry because someone really understood what this was like.  It would make me laugh too because some of your descriptions were hilarious and hit so close to home.  I used to say I felt like a freak from another planet and to read someone else taking my very thoughts and words was somehow comforting.  You would write DR. Jastrboff's words down and tape them around your bed and I would write everything down too that had a hopeful ring to it....and I mean everything.  I have zip lock bags of paper with words of hope that people said to me.  A bag for 1997, a bag for 1998, a bag for 1999, etc....I had to hold onto WORDS.  I have two journals with many answers to my prayers of desperation.  Your book connected me to another person who experienced the same torture and who came through it.  It gave me hope that I could see the end of this too.  I'm only one of many who have experienced the same wonderful encouragement from you and your book. And then to actually become Dr. Jastreboff's patient and have the benefit of his care was an answer to my prayers.  Thank you for prodding me to go to Atlanta and thank you for calling me that September night when our friendship began.  And....thank you for continuing to bring hope to others who don't know what to do. And thank you, thank you for the words..."you'll have that volume drop down much lower in time; it's a for sure." Wonderful words!!!! Aren't words powerful? :)

Love,
Kathy - from New Jersey (completely and permanently reversed from hyperacusis; presently continuing w/TRT to habituate her tinnitus).

Hi Carol:
Considering that the only book that I have read in its' entirety is the Holy Bible, you must be pleased that I read every word of your book and enjoyed every minute while reading it. To say the least, it is a story of triumph and courage; and indeed, must be read by more sufferers like myself...

Surely, you must recognize that the hand of the God of Israel is on your ministry of bringing the Good News to those who suffer from hyperacusis as well as tinnitus. Those who have been kept blinded and prisoner of unscrupulous doctors all over the world....

'For the Lord God will help me; therefore I shall not be confounded because I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be overcome."
Isaiah 51:7

Shalom Alechem my dear sister and friend, Ron - minister from Florida

Dear Carol:
I just finished reading your book.

There are no words to explain my gratitude for you writing it. I was heartbroken to read your story with all of your pain and fears. And I was angered at all of the doubt and lack of support. So many of my experiences and emotions have been the same as yours.

When I was reading your story, I felt like I was reading about my own life. As I got to the last chapters of your book, I could feel the changes in you, the changes in your hope and in your spirit...I could feel your hope and optimism. I want to feel this way!

I thank you for your vow to help others with Hyperacusis and Tinnitus.

God Bless,
Victor- from Los Angeles, CA (well now!)
"You really helped me turn it around!"

Dear Carol:
I just finished your book. I am 24 years old and have been dealing with this tinnitus and hyperacusis for about three years now. I am a musician and I believe that exposure to loud sounds and concerts may have brought it on. My ears are really sensitive to slight sounds and at times it can be very painful.

The title to your book "Tortured By Sound" is very eye-opening. I just thought that there may be a slight chance in the world that this may have to do with my situation. I couldn't believe it. It had everything to do with it.

Your fan-Tony -from San Francisco, CA

Dear Carol:
I am the lady from Singapore who ordered your book. I was so fascinated by your story that I finished the book in one afternoon! I cannot even begin to imagine what you must have gone through, not to mention how you endured it for so long. It broke my heart just reading it...."

Best Regards,
Kathy

Hello!
Me too; I'm tortured by sound and overcame it with TRT. I'm currently in the progress of setting up a self-help group for tinnitus and hyperacusis patients in Flemish Belgium. I would like to order the book Tortured By Sound.

Thanks a lot in advance,
Sincerely
Mik

Carol:
I think you are the bravest woman to have written a book about your experiences. I wish you the best of luck in spreading the word about how this doctor helped you so much in leading a better life...I sure liked how candid you were in explaining all the terrible things you experienced. Thank you for being so honest and descriptive. It helped me to make this inquiry about my young son who is just 9 years old and has sensitive hearing. I think you're a great success already!

Take care,
Linda - from California

Hello Carol:
Thank you for sending me the book. It arrived last night. I've read half already. I had to stop continuously because I could not believe what I read about your suffering or how you kept your sanity and stayed alive. In the name of God, you have my deepest appreciation and understanding. Every few sentences I kept saying 'Oh my God, Oh my God' and I would have to stop reading. I would read some of it to my husband. He thought I was reading a horror novel..."

God Bless you Carol and good Luck.
Angie - from Ohio

Dear Carol:
I just finished reading your book, 'Tortured By Sound' and felt I had to write you. I've had tinnitus for almost 5 years and have tried everything possible to make it go away, to no avail. I went to several doctors who all basically said I had to learn to live with it...I have several different noises going on in my head, ranging from hissing and chirping to high pitches that follow the sound criss-crossing through my head almost like a loose wire....

After I read your book, you gave me inspiration. Unless someone else has this affliction, they just don't understand how awful it is.

For the first time in five years, I felt like someone really knew what I was feeling and going through after reading your story.

Kindest regards,
Punchie - from California

To: Carol Lee Brook - Fellow Soulmate in Hyperacusis and Tinnitus

As a lifelong sufferer of hyperacusis and tinnitus, those who have not been there cannot imagine what it is like...

I freely admit I haven't cried as I have for some time until reading your book.

I intend to refer your book to those who need to know about our life-threatening dilemna. May I encourage you to proceed with the idea of a major motion picture to educate the public who need it so very much.

God Bless,
Claire - from Oregon

Dear Carol:

I just finished reading your wonderful book!!!! I want to thank you for getting it to me so quickly.  It came in the mail last Wednesday.  I read it from cover to cover.

Your book is so beautifully written and at the end I cried tears of happiness for you!!! You're an incredible woman!!

Thank you for the book, and your insight and all your help!!!  Carol, you should really think about putting your book into a movie of some sort...and getting America (and the physicians) to understand these afflictions.  By writing your book, you have helped and are helping so many people!  God Bless You.

Marianne--from CT

Thanks. As you can recall, even the most mundane daily tasks begin to seem like ovine mountains. So much of what you say in the book is exactly what I'm going through ( refrigerator noise, afraid of going anywhere, the sedatives, never wanting to be alone, the tick tock of a clock that you never noticed before, contemplating suicide to save others from the burden that I present, insomnia, amalgam removal from teeth, going to soooo many homeopathic dr.s with their odd treatments that never work but don't take insurance, extreme dieting and losing unhealthy amounts of weight) I've been down all of these roads already over the last several years.

I truly hope Dr J can help. I have your note hanging on my bathroom mirror that says he will. I look at it every day when I get ready to lead up on clonazepam to face the noise. I hope he can, I'm out of options with the exception of taking all of these pills until I overdose. Just as you said, I am too afraid to committ suicide but often pray that God will just take me. But I have hope with Dr J and I will so everything that he asks.

Jonathan from Riverside,  CA