Tinnitus

Tinnitus literally means "ringing” and is the perception of sound within the human ear in the absence of external sound.

Tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom of a range of underlying causes including ear infections, foreign objects, wax in the ear, allergies etc. Tinnitus may have many causes including natural hearing impairment (as in aging), certain medications, and most commonly noise-induced hearing loss. Tinnitus can be rated clinically on a simple scale from "slight" to "catastrophic" according to the practical difficulties it imposes, such as interference with sleep, quiet activities, and normal daily activities. Tinnitus is common. About one in five people between 55 and 65 years old report tinnitus symptoms.

Treatment for Tinnitus

• Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

Successful tinnitus management is a result of retraining and re-learning. Once the tinnitus loses its negative connotation, however loud it has been, or however unpleasant it may seem, it DOES begin to diminish, and in many cases may not be heard for long periods of time.

• Sound therapy/white noise generators (WSG’s)

Wearable sound generators (which resemble to hearing aids), have an important role to play. These devices help you to gradually reduce your focus on the tinnitus sound. The tinnitus signal is perceived as less important and the mind pays less attention to it.

Digital Hearing aids

Digital hearing aids, in particular open-fit digital hearing aids can help with tinnitus management by compensating for a person’s hearing loss as well as masking the uncomfortable noises affecting tinnitus patients.
Often individuals with a high frequency hearing loss suffer from Tinnitus. Open fit hearing aids allow for the amplification of the higher frequencies primarily.
By providing amplification in this frequency range the individual is often far less aware of the presence of tinnitus and at the same time the hearing is improved for high frequency sounds, therefore serving a dual purpose.

Silence is not golden

Tinnitus is exacerbated by silence. Most tinnitus is first heard at night, or a quiet room. Persistence of tinnitus depends not only on the meaning attached to it, but also to the contrast it creates with the auditory environment. For example a small candle in the corner of a large darkened room seems to be dazzlingly bright, until the room lights are switched on making it virtually invisible.
Everyone, especially tinnitus patients should avoid extreme silence, and retraining programmes will always use sound enrichment. Make sure there is always a pleasant, non-intrusive background sound (like a large slow fan, or an open window, or a device generating nature sounds).
Choosing what sound is right for you may take some time. Nature sounds are always best, as they are already habituated, and usually produce feeling of relaxation, calm and well-being.

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Beacon Audiology
Suite 36
Beacon Hall
Beacon Court
Sandyford
Dublin 18
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Dr Sandra Cummings
B.Log.  M.Log. AuD.
(M.I.S.H.A.A., B.A.A.)

Jacqueline Reeves
B.Log. (M.I.S.H.A.A., B.A.A.)

Tel: 01 293 7930
Fax: 01 292 3262

Email: 
sandy@beaconaudiology.com
jacqui@beaconaudiology.com