Have you been bothered recently by a ringing, buzzing or whooshing noise that you can’t explain? Maybe it lasts for hours at a time or resolves shortly but continuously appears. The sensation you are experiencing is tinnitus, which is characterized as hearing a variety of different noises that have no external source. While this can be a frustrating issue to deal with, are well-versed in helping patients find the relief they need. The audiologist at Advanced Hearing Center can help you identify the cause of your tinnitus and recommend the proper treatment for your specific case.
The Many Causes of Tinnitus
Tinnitus is typically a symptom of an underlying health condition. But it has many potential causes, including:
- Hearing loss
- Earwax blockage or buildup
- Head and neck injuries
- Aging
- Medication
- Stress and depression
- Abnormal bone growth
- Excessive exposure to loud noises
- Vascular disorders
The first step in treating tinnitus is identifying which of these underlying health conditions may be causing your tinnitus. We discover that through testing and then make a care recommendation based on our results.
Tinnitus Treatment Options
The best way to treat your tinnitus will depend on its cause and other factors, such as your health history and co-occurring conditions. That being said, we have several ways we can help reduce tinnitus symptoms to improve your quality of life. Here are three examples.
Sound Therapy
Sound therapy trains the brain to refocus, which can help to reduce the impact that your tinnitus has on your life. It involves the introduction of various sounds and is also sometimes called acoustic therapy. This is one of the most common treatments for tinnitus.
Hearing Aids
We may also be able to improve your tinnitus symptoms by recommending the best style of hearing aid, which may include a tinnitus masking feature. This can be an effective treatment even when hearing loss isn’t present, as the masking feature helps individuals block out the noise of tinnitus and gain relief in the process. We may recommend a hearing aid in addition to other types of tinnitus treatment.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
Tinnitus retraining therapy is also sometimes called habituation therapy. It incorporates sound therapy and also works to retrain the brain so that the tinnitus doesn’t impact you as severely.
Behavioral therapy is also sometimes recommended. Tinnitus can bring up emotional difficulties like isolation, stress and depression. Behavioral therapy can help you cope with these more effectively as we work to reduce your tinnitus symptoms.
We will also recommend maintenance after the initial treatment phase has been completed. This may include managing the underlying health conditions that caused your tinnitus and providing follow-up support to continue reducing the impact that your tinnitus has on your life.