Discover Tinnitus Solutions
While there is no known cure for tinnitus, experts agree that hearing aids are the best option for relief from this condition.
Hearing Aids Provide Relief for Tinnitus
If you’re one of the 25 million Americans that suffer from some sort of ringing or buzzing in the ears, hearing aids can offer a form of relief. While there is no absolute cure for tinnitus, the use of hearing aids and consultation with trained hearing care professionals have yielded very positive results in masking the symptoms and retraining the brain to ignore them.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a common condition affecting millions and is characterized by a buzzing, whirring, hissing or pulsing sound that only the afflicted hears. These phantom noises can affect anyone with no restriction to age, gender or background. Tinnitus is more common in people over the age of 60.
There are 2 categories of Tinnitus – Subjective Tinnitus, a form of tinnitus that is undetectable and only audible to the affected person. This is the most common form of Tinnitus. In contrast, Objective Tinnitus can be measured by externally as it is an audible sound emanating from the person’s ear canal. It can be attributed to a number of things such as movement of the cochlea or cochlear fluids.
What are some tinnitus symptoms?
Tinnitus symptoms are not always the same across individuals. While one person may experience a constant annoying ‘whistling’ in the ears, another person may hear a pulsing noise, but only a certain times of the day. Tinnitus can be temporary for some, but for others it may be constant and debilitating over many years. Tinnitus can present in both ears, or just on one side.
Common causes of tinnitus have been attributed to:
- Ear infections
- Earwax buildup
- Age-related hearing loss
- Exposure to loud noise (rock concert, construction equipment)
- Head and/or neck injuries
- Certain medications
How can hearing aids help tinnitus?
So how do hearing aids provide relief from tinnitus? Most modern hearing aids have ‘tinnitus masking’ options which help provide white noise that neutralize the tinnitus sound that often distracts and maddens people over time. The white noise lowers the perceived tinnitus to a level that is easier for the brain to ignore, while also amplifying external sounds for a better overall listening experience. These tinnitus masking features need to be adjusted by a hearing expert to find the right frequency and volume that is most effective for the user.
What should I do if I suffer from tinnitus?
If you suffer from tinnitus, it is recommended to see a hearing care professional. Tinnitus can be a symptom to hearing loss. A hearing exam and consultation can uncover the cause of the tinnitus and solutions can be recommended and tried. At Audionova, all of our hearing experts are trained in tinnitus therapies and have a solutions on hand to get you the relief you need. Please contact us for more information and to book an appointment in the hearing clinic nearest you.
