Tinnitus Treatment

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ears or head where no external source is present. Many people describe it as a high-pitched, ringing sound. However, people experience tinnitus differently and the sound can also be described as a hissing, buzzing, roaring, or whistling. 
Tinnitus is a common condition that affects as many as 1 in 5 people. The effect on the patient can range from a slight annoyance to debilitating. Most people with tinnitus have some degree of hearing loss and tinnitus can be a first sign of hearing damage. The exact physiological cause of tinnitus is not known, however we do know that that are sources that may trigger or worsen tinnitus. These include: noise exposure, head/neck trauma, earwax, and ototoxic medications. 
Noise exposure can damage and even destroy hair cells in the inner ear. Once this happens the hair cells do not grow back and hearing loss is the result. Tinnitus often accompanies hearing loss especially when the loss is due to damage in the cochlea. Trauma to the head or neck, certain types of tumors, cardiovascular disease, and even wax buildup can all trigger tinnitus. Ototoxic drugs are certain medications that are toxic to the ear, which in turn can cause tinnitus. There are other medications that can cause tinnitus as a side effect but do not damage the inner ear.
Currently, there is no cure for tinnitus. However, in many cases, tinnitus can be effectively managed or reduced through: hearing aid use, tinnitus retraining therapy, sound/noise machines/apps, and/or relaxation methods and lifestyle changes.
For people with hearing loss and tinnitus, a hearing aid usually helps to reduce the perception of the annoying sound. A properly fitted hearing aid will not lower or change the sound of the tinnitus but can help to mask it by amplifying other sounds. This causes the brain to pay less attention to the tinnitus and more attention to the natural sounds experienced in everyday life. It’s very similar to a tinnitus patient not noticing the ringing in their ears when they are in a noisy room. 
If you suffer from tinnitus and are looking for tinnitus relief, please call our office to schedule an appointment. We will start with a consultation and hearing test to determine if there is a hearing loss. Our approach is then to educate you regarding your options so that you can be more informed of your condition and to hopefully discover a solution that helps you.