Tinnitus Assessments
Tinnitus Management Requires Better Assessment and Education
Tinnitus is a symptom of a neurological disorder affecting the brain’s auditory function. It presents as ringing, buzzing, hissing, roaring, or whooshing sounds, which really do not exist, like a mirage in the desert.
Although it is not a cause of hearing loss, it can accompany various types of hearing loss. However, tinnitus interferes with your hearing capacity, understanding conversations, interrupts sleep patterns, or makes it difficult to concentrate while working.
A mild awareness of a bothersome sound at the first signs of tinnitus often leads to increased awareness and stress. Stress stimulates your brain’s emotional centers and increases your brain’s auditory activity.
Your brain begins to compensate for the condition by increasing hearing sensitivity, which can make ordinary sounds uncomfortably loud. Discomfort leads to more stress, creating a snowball effect, increasing in severity.
Common causes of tinnitus include
• Hearing loss
• Frequent exposure to loud noises
• Medications (more than 200 types of medicines can cause or contribute to tinnitus)
• Heart and blood vessel malfunctions
• Jaw or neck issues
• Allergies
• Tumors
Schedule a Tinnitus Assessment Today
How Is Tinnitus Treated?
Tinnitus can sometimes be caused by underlying medical conditions, so it’s important to be seen by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor) and an audiologist. Your hearing will be tested, as tinnitus can accompany hearing loss in about 80% of cases. An audiologist trained in tinnitus management can also explain different types of tinnitus treatment techniques. The ENT physician can determine possible causes or if further testing is needed. Hearing aids may be recommended to not only treat hearing loss but help with your tinnitus as well.
The good news is that there are a number of effective management techniques providing varying levels of relief, even though we cannot cure tinnitus. Making positive changes can help you to rediscover life without the nuisance of tinnitus. Together, your ENT and audiologists will help you to develop a treatment plan to help manage your tinnitus, especially in cases where it is bothersome.
Because individual patients respond to each treatment in various ways, experimenting with several treatment methods may be necessary in order to identify which one(s) produce the best results.
Tinnitus management options may include
• Hearing Aids (correct hearing loss and provide masking)
• Sound Maskers (decrease sound awareness)
• Medication Therapy (emotional symptom relief)
• ReSound Tinnitus Relief app
• Widex Zen Tinnitus app
• Tabletop sound generators
• Pillows with built-in sound generators to help with sleep
Tinnitus Testing and Management at the Hearing Center of MCC
The first step in tinnitus management requires identifying the type and severity of your specific case of tinnitus. We specialize in providing the necessary evaluation of your tinnitus and provide the appropriate education to make adequate tinnitus management choices. By educating you about your condition, we help to reduce stress and anxiety while providing advice related to the most up-to-date management techniques available.
Have Your Tinnitus Assessed
There are solutions for that ringing in your ears!
Because tinnitus starts out small and snowballs in severity, early identification and treatment is a crucial element in achieving the best possible outcome. For successful management, you must first have an accurate, professional assessment of your condition.
To schedule an appointment for an evaluation of your condition, fill out and submit our Tinnitus Handicap Inventory form.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tinnitus
1. How do I know if I have tinnitus?
2. Is tinnitus permanent?
Some forms of tinnitus are temporary; temporary tinnitus is caused most often by noise exposure or medication side-effects. Permanent tinnitus is usually linked to hearing loss challenges like noise-induced hearing loss, and lasts for weeks to months versus a few days, like temporary tinnitus.
3. Can stress worsen tinnitus?
Stress can worsen tinnitus symptoms, making them feel more prevalent and more difficult to ignore. With appropriate stress management techniques, your tinnitus can be managed as well.
4. Why does my tinnitus get louder at night?
Without stimulus to focus on like during the day, it can feel like tinnitus worsens at night when you’re trying to sleep, which can lead to fatigue and insomnia
With white noise or gentle soundscapes to focus on as you fall asleep, you can get some better rest without focusing on your tinnitus.
5. Is tinnitus linked to hearing loss?
Tinnitus is often linked to hearing loss— without auditory stimulation due to hearing loss, the brain can create noise to fill in the gaps, which leads to tinnitus.
You can address both issues simultaneously with specially programmed hearing aids to help lessen tinnitus and optimize your hearing.
6. How long will my tinnitus screening take?
Your tinnitus screening, much like a comprehensive hearing assessment, will take up to an hour to complete. You’ll receive your results on the same day of your test.
7. Can tinnitus be cured?
As of now, there is no definitive cure to tinnitus, but it can be managed with a variety of treatment options including sound therapies, hearing aids, medications, sound maskers, and more. Looking for relief from your tinnitus? You’re in the right place!
Patient Resources
Is There a Link Between Tinnitus and Vitamin D Deficiency?
When Your Ear Listens to Your Heart: The Mystery of Pulsatile Tinnitus
Schedule a Tinnitus Assessment Today
If tinnitus is causing you distress, then we highly recommend seeing a specialist as soon as possible. Click the button below and complete the short form to request your tinnitus assessment appointment.