Tinnitus, often described as ringing in the ears, can also take on other forms, like buzzing, hissing or even roaring sounds. It’s a condition that can affect one or both ears, making everyday activities and conversations more challenging. While tinnitus is not a disease, it often signals an underlying issue within the auditory system. At Hear For You Audiology, we understand how disruptive tinnitus can be, or we offer a range of treatment options tailored to your needs.
Whether it’s through sound therapy, counseling or personalized hearing solutions, our goal is to help you manage tinnitus and regain control over your hearing health.
What Causes Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is usually caused by some underlying health condition. The type of tinnitus you have, its severity and how we treat it can all be influenced by this. Some of the most common causes of tinnitus include:
- Natural aging
- Hearing loss
- Earwax issues
- Head and neck injuries
- Vascular disorders
- Stress and depression
Treating Your Tinnitus
The way we treat your tinnitus will depend on what’s causing it. However, there are three main treatments for tinnitus. We may recommend one of the following in your case.
Sound Machines
When it comes to managing tinnitus, sound machines are a popular option for many people. These devices produce soothing background noises like white noise, ocean waves or rainfall to help mask the ringing, buzzing or hissing associated with tinnitus. Sound machines can be used during the day to create a more peaceful environment, and they are especially beneficial at night, helping individuals fall asleep more easily by drowning out the internal noise of tinnitus
Hearing Aids
These devices not only amplify external sounds to improve overall hearing but also include built-in sound generators that produce therapeutic noises. By blending these sounds with the tinnitus, hearing aids can help diminish the perception of the ringing or buzzing in the ears. This dual function makes them a versatile solution for individuals who have both hearing loss and tinnitus, enhancing their ability to engage in conversations and other social interactions without being distracted by the persistent noise in their ears.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
Combining sound therapy with counseling, TRT aims to retrain the brain to perceive tinnitus in a less intrusive way. The sound therapy component uses low-level noise generators to help the brain become accustomed to the presence of tinnitus, gradually reducing its prominence over time. Counseling sessions play a crucial role in TRT by providing education about tinnitus and teaching coping strategies. This holistic approach addresses both the emotional and physical aspects of tinnitus, making it an effective long-term management strategy for many individuals.
Managing Tinnitus-Related Conditions
Making certain lifestyle modifications can significantly help in reducing the impact of tinnitus. Stress is a common trigger for tinnitus flare-ups, so incorporating relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation or deep-breathing exercises into your daily routine can make a noticeable difference.
Regular physical activity, like walking or swimming, not only reduces stress but also improves overall blood circulation, which can benefit auditory health. Avoiding exposure to loud noises by wearing ear protection in noisy environments can prevent tinnitus from worsening. Additionally, limiting the intake of stimulants like caffeine and nicotine, which can aggravate tinnitus symptoms, is advisable.
But don’t worry. We’ll recommend a complete care plan once we’ve assessed your tinnitus status. If you have any questions or concerns, we’ll be happy to explain our thinking and walk you through your options.