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Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is the perception of a sound that has no external source. Some of the more common sounds reported are ringing, humming, buzzing, or cricket-like. It can be constant or intermittent and is heard in one ear, both ears or in the head.
Tinnitus can originate in the middle ear (behind the eardrum) or in the inner ear (cochlea), which can also be referred to as sensorineural hearing loss.
It is important to keep in mind that tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease. As such, the optimal treatment strategy should be directed toward eliminating the disease, rather than simply alleviating the symptom.
Also, because it may be symptomatic of a more serious disorder, it is important to try to find the medical cause before deciding on treatment.
Tinnitus retraining therapy includes intensive, individualized education on the causes and effects of tinnitus on the ear and the brain, along with practical methods of coping.
Low-level sound generators produce broadband noise via hearing aid-type devices at a soft enough level so that the brain perceives both the noise and the tinnitus. Eventually, the brain may relearn a pattern that will de-emphasize the importance of tinnitus. These devices also may be helpful in desensitizing patients who are overly sensitive to sound.
Acoustic therapy is a non-invasive treatment approach for tinnitus. It involves using sound to reduce the perception of tinnitus and is often used as a first-line treatment in addressing tinnitus.
Acoustic therapy is often used together with other treatment modalities, such as counseling or medication to provide comprehensive care for tinnitus patients.
Many patients find that music, particularly classical pieces that don’t contain wide variations in loudness (amplitude) can be soothing. The music both calms the limbic system (the emotional processor in the brain that is commonly negatively linked to a patient’s reaction to tinnitus) and stimulates the auditory cortex. If hearing loss is present, it may be necessary to alter the spectrum of the music so that the cortical neurons receive appropriate stimulation.
The use of hearing aids, or a combination of hearing aids and maskers, are often effective ways to minimize tinnitus. While it is not clear whether hearing aids help by amplifying background sounds that can mask out tinnitus or by actually altering the production of it, most hearing aid wearers report at least some reduction in their tinnitus. This may be due to the reduction in contrast between tinnitus and silence, or because of the new stimulation provided to the brain.
The medications used in tinnitus management are typically psychoactive drugs that are aimed to address the behavioral issues related to tinnitus and not the symptoms of tinnitus itself.
Some over-the-counter drugs and supplements are misleadingly marketed as “tinnitus remedies” or “miracle cures.” Unfortunately, there is still no reliable scientific or medical evidence that these products — or the ingredients within them — have any impact on tinnitus.
When it comes to tinnitus treatment and management, your best and safest bet would be to consult with an audiologist. A series of tests will be performed to rule out any underlying conditions. Once these are ruled out, it is easier to come up with an effective tinnitus treatment management plan.
To keep tinnitus from getting worse, take extra precautions to protect your hearing. If you know that you are going to be exposed to loud sounds (i.e you work with loud and heavy machinery or are going to spend some time hunting or at a shooting range), you need to wear proper hearing protection to avoid triggering or worsening tinnitus symptoms.
Need help with tinnitus and other hearing disorders? Schedule an appointment at Longmont Hearing and Tinnitus Center today!
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