Personalised Tinnitus Treatment Solutions in Adelaide
Tinnitus is a physical condition, experienced as noises or ringing in a person’s ears or head, when no such external physical noise is present. Tinnitus is a symptom of a fault in the (auditory) hearing system, it is not a disease.
If you or someone you know might be suffering from tinnitus, book a consultation with HearClear Audiology today to discuss your treatment options.
Tinnitus is a physical condition that can cause noises or ringing in a person’s ears or head, even when no external physical noise is present. Although it is a symptom of a fault in the auditory (hearing) system, it is not a disease. Tinnitus can manifest in various types of noises, including ringing, hissing, rushing, whistling, humming, and roaring.
While a large proportion of the population experiences tinnitus from time to time, it is believed to be present constantly for approximately 10-15% of the population. For some, tinnitus has a much greater effect on their lives and can be debilitating, affecting their ability to work or cope with normal life activities. Tinnitus can also cause extreme distress, depression, anxiety attacks, poor concentration, and sleep problems.
Causes of Tinnitus
Tinnitus can have numerous causes, some of which are not directly related to the ears. The more common causes include exposure to loud sounds, extreme stress or trauma, degeneration of hair cells in the inner ear, ear problems, and some medications. Some of the causes of tinnitus are preventable, such as avoiding exposure to loud sounds or using appropriate hearing protection.
When tinnitus first appears, it is a new and unknown sound. This can cause the mind and body to go into a state of high anxiety, which can be overwhelming. Therefore, it is best to seek professional assistance from a qualified audiologist for further advice. Although there is no direct tinnitus cure, treating the underlying problem may result in the tinnitus becoming much more manageable.
Programmable, well-fitted hearing aids can be an effective solution to reducing the perception of tinnitus by improving your hearing, taking away the strain of listening, and providing optional tinnitus masking noises and relaxation sounds that can be turned on and off when needed. If you’re experiencing tinnitus, schedule an appointment at one of our clinics, and take advantage of our 30-day obligation-free trial to assess the benefits for you.
Effects of Tinnitus
When tinnitus first appears, it is a new sound, an unknown sound. When we hear sounds, we subconsciously classify them in three main categories – threatening, neutral, or non-threatening. When you next hear the same sound, your mind will automatically react. A good example is a car horn – when we hear a car horn, we recognise it as a threatening sound and we become more alert and ready to get out of the way, even if we cannot actually see the car.
When your brain first hears tinnitus, it cannot relate it to any previously classified sound and so will classify it as potentially threatening. This places the mind and body in a state of high anxiety. If your brain maintains the perception that tinnitus is threatening, you will become anxious every time you hear your tinnitus.
When you first start to experience tinnitus, it is advisable to see a qualified audiologist, GP, or government approved tinnitus organisation for further advice. It is incorrect that nothing can be done about tinnitus, but at the same time, it is important to beware of tinnitus cures. Many so called `tinnitus cures` have no scientific basis. There is no such thing as a direct tinnitus cure however, treating the underlying problem may result in the tinnitus becoming a problem of the past. Therefore, it is advisable to seek professional assistance.
Hearing Aids and Tinnitus
Programmable well fitted hearing aids can:
- Reduce the perception of tinnitus by improving your hearing
- Take away the strain of listening
- Many hearing aids have optional tinnitus masking noises and relaxation sounds that can be turned on and off when needed to help relieve tinnitus
To assess your hearing, tinnitus and whether any of the devices are likely to help with your tinnitus, please make an appointment at one of our clinics. We offer a 30-day obligation free trial so we can assess the benefits for you.