Tinnitus

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What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is defined as the perception of sound when no external sound source is present. This sound can take on any number of characteristics and is usually a sound that only you can hear. Patients can experience tinnitus that varies from soft to loud and from low pitched to high. Patients describe their tinnitus in a number of ways, including a buzzing, ringing, white noise, and/or roaring sound. Although these descriptions are typical, there are no specific rules as to how tinnitus is perceived; each experience can be different.

How common is tinnitus?

According to the American Tinnitus Association (ATA), tinnitus affects approximately 50 million Americans (more than one third of the population) and is the most commonly referred otological problem. Of these 50 million people, 12 million have symptoms severe enough that medical attention is sought, and 2 million cannot function “normally” on a day-to-day basis. Remember, tinnitus is a common condition and you are definitely not alone.

What causes tinnitus?

Most commonly, tinnitus is caused by damage to the nerve cells within the inner ear. This damage can occur from a number of sources, like exposure to excessively loud sounds throughout the lifespan, diabetes, and ototoxic medications (medications that damage the ear). Tinnitus can also be caused by something as simple as impacted cerumen (ear wax). In very rare cases, tinnitus can also be caused by other underlying medical conditions.

The perception of tinnitus is a result of changes in the auditory system, which leads to a change in the activity of neurons from the inner ear to the brain. This change in neural activity is interpreted by the brain as sound. For those with bothersome tinnitus, the degree of disturbance and awareness is usually caused by the reaction to this perception of tinnitus. The reaction involves attentional and emotional changes, brought on by involvement of other parts of the brain such as the limbic and autonomic nervous systems.

When should I pursue help?

Intervention should be sought if you find your tinnitus particularly bothersome. If your tinnitus is affecting your quality of life by reducing your sleep, affecting your performance at work, making tasks in your everyday life less enjoyable, or reducing your ability to concentrate, you certainly may benefit from some sort of intervention. In reality, if you feel that you need help, you probably do.

Who manages tinnitus?

A number of health care professionals work with and can help patients who have tinnitus. The first step is to see an audiologist to visually inspect your ears and to evaluate your hearing. Tinnitus is most often related to inner ear damage. In these cases, an audiologist is the most skilled and appropriate professional to evaluate and treat your tinnitus. If your tinnitus is caused by an underlying medical condition, a physician will be the most appropriate person to treat your condition.

How is tinnitus managed?

There are many management options for tinnitus. Because tinnitus is so individual, you will work with your audiologist or physician to determine the right treatment for you. Tinnitus is quite common in individuals with hearing loss; in these cases, a hearing aid might be the most effective treatment. If there is no hearing loss or if a hearing aid does not provide sufficient relief, a number of other sound therapy options may be considered (environmental sound devices, noise generators, water fountains). A more recent development is the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment, which utilizes modified music to retrain the brain to ignore the tinnitus. This treatment is clinically proven to offer long-term significant relief from tinnitus.

A few interesting facts about tinnitus:

Documentation related to the treatment of tinnitus dates back to the ancient Egyptians. In fact, there is evidence that specific herbal treatments were attempted over 4500 years ago. Unfortunately, modern science has shown us that no herbal treatment is effective in reducing tinnitus. Interestingly, research has shown that upwards of 95% of young normal-hearing adults experience tinnitus when placed in the right conditions.

Substances we consume in our everyday lives have been linked to causing tinnitus. Tonic water contains a substance called quinine. Quinine has a well-documented history of causing tinnitus. Many medications also contain tinnitus-causing substances. When you return for your tinnitus evaluation, remember to bring a comprehensive list of your medication types and dosages. IMPORTANT: Do not discontinue or change your medication without first consulting your prescribing physician.

Stress and fatigue have also been shown to affect your tinnitus. It’s important to make time to relax and work to decrease your stress levels. Of course, this is easier said than done. Working with your audiologist to find a good support network and devise methods to reduce your stress can help. The ATA has a network of support groups and help network volunteers who can help you learn coping skills. Finding a cure for tinnitus is the ATA’s number one priority, supporting tinnitus research is one way you can help speed up progress toward finding a cure.

 Hearing aids are among the most effective tools for providing relief from tinnitus in individuals with hearing loss.

• Improving communication reduces stress levels, making it easier to cope with the tinnitus and improve the ability to concentrate
• Amplifying background sounds reduces the loudness and prominence of tinnitus
• Sound therapy with hearing aids exercises the auditory portion of the brain and creates stimulation in areas with hearing loss
• The Widex Mind is a hearing aid that also features a tinnitus and relaxation program. This program incorporates a peaceful sound background for individuals with tinnitus

Neuromonics

Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment is clinically proven to offer long-term significant relief from tinnitus. This patented treatment method is FDA-cleared, non-invasive, and customized for each patient to address the root causes of tinnitus disturbance.

• Reduces symptoms quickly - Many patients enjoy some relief almost immediately
• Treats the cause - Addresses underlying neurological causes of tinnitus
• Provides significant long-term relief - Relief lasts, even long after the treatment ends
• Convenient and non-invasive - No medication or surgery required. It supports your body's own natural mechanisms to block out tinnitus symptoms
• Clinically proven - Shown to be effective for 90% of suitable tinnitus cases as demonstrated by 15 years of clinical studies and in general clinical practice .

Patient Forms for Tinnitus

• Tinnitus Case History
• TRQ