Tinnitus Management Options

wind chimes

Despite claims from a variety of products, currently, there is no known cure for tinnitus. However, there are very good, well-established tools and management options that can significantly reduce the perceived burden of tinnitus, and help manage its impact on your life.

Find an Audiologist Who Specializes in Tinnitus

Your first step toward effectively managing tinnitus should be to find an audiologist who specializes in the condition.  At Associated Audiologists, we offer a comprehensive tinnitus management program to assist in diagnosing and managing care for individuals who have tinnitus.

The program’s services are provided by Susan Smittkamp, Au.D., Ph.D., tinnitus specialist. Dr. Smittkamp uses the most sophisticated technology available in the greater Kansas City area to diagnose and manage tinnitus.

Digital Hearing Aids Can Help Relieve Tinnitus Symptoms

For many patients with tinnitus, the latest digital hearing aids may be particularly useful in managing tinnitus.  Some hearing aids include supplemental sound generator functionality (white noise or other sounds, such as chimes, played directly into the ear) that helps reduce the perception of tinnitus.

This makes it more difficult to consciously perceive tinnitus and helps the brain focus on outside, ambient noises. The impact of hearing aids is particularly strong for patients who have hearing loss in the same frequency range as their tinnitus.

Hearing aids also help by augmenting the external volume of activities such as a conversation, watching television or talking on the phone, above the perceived volume of tinnitus. As a result, these individuals may feel less personal frustration and social isolation.

FDA-Cleared Tools for Tinnitus Management

In some cases, hearing aids work best as part of a structured tinnitus management plan.

In other cases, an alternative option may be recommended. Associated Audiologists offers a number of FDA-cleared tools for tinnitus management.

Neuromonics Oasis

Neuromonics Oasis is a customized sound therapy tool that uses modified music and relaxation tracks to reduce tinnitus awareness and disturbance. Patients usually experience relief early on in the therapy period. Continued use promotes tinnitus habituation.

To learn more about tinnitus, download our free e-book.

Call 913-403-0018 to schedule an appointment with our tinnitus specialist.