Services
Tinnitus
If you’re one of the five percent of Americans suffering from tinnitus that is “moderately to significantly annoying,” it’s a great idea to visit a hearing specialist for an evaluation. Our team of audiologists is equipped with many tools and strategies to help patients with tinnitus, but we need first to assess your condition.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is often described as a ringing in the ears, but can also sound like hissing, buzzing, roaring, sizzling, clicking or other noise. Tinnitus can manifest as an acute symptom lasting just a few days or a chronic or recurring symptom lasting weeks, months or years.
Tinnitus is a symptom of a wide range of health conditions, and it can occasionally point to a more serious problem that needs professional medical attention. That is why trying to identify a cause is essential, even though it may not be possible.
Learn About Tinnitus Evaluations
They said you would just have to live with it.
If you or someone you know has been told this …They were wrong!
Tinnitus treatment does exist. Hearing Healthcare Center wants to share an alternative to what they have to offer.
There are a number of tools and devices that we can utilize for your benefit.
To begin the treatment process we will:
- Complete a diagnostic hearing and tinnitus evaluation.
- Gather information about the ringing or buzzing you hear.
- Develop your own personal care plan.
If you’re one of the five percent of Americans suffering from tinnitus that is “moderately to significantly annoying,” it’s a great idea to visit a hearing specialist for an evaluation. Our team of audiologists is equipped with many tools and strategies to help patients with tinnitus, but we need first to assess your condition.
What To Expect During A Tinnitus Evaluation
When evaluating a patient with tinnitus, we have several goals we hope to accomplish:
Identify the underlying cause of your tinnitus symptoms
Determine if your tinnitus is subjective or objective
One of the goals of an evaluation is to rule out what is not causing your tinnitus symptoms. Some common causes include hearing loss, ear bone changes, inner ear disorders, blood pressure changes due to an underlying condition and even certain medications.
During a tinnitus evaluation, an audiologist will typically administer:
An in-depth review of your medical history
Because tinnitus can be challenging to characterize, questionnaires can help to identify causes that a patient may not have considered.
Questionnaires your provider may have you take include:
Tinnitus handicap inventory
Tinnitus hearing survey
The Tinnitus Functional Index is designed to identify the impact of tinnitus on areas from sleep to the ability to relax. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory can help determine the perceived impact tinnitus has on a patient’s daily life.
“Dr. Angela is wonderful. I have had tinnitus for quite a while and she determined after a hearing test that my hearing is fine and not in danger. Misty & Dr. Amgela take the care and time needed to ensure proper treatment of their patients. I highly recommend them to all of my friends and family!”
Hearing Assessments for Tinnitus
Audiometric evaluations for tinnitus typically focus on high-frequency sounds between 2000 and 4000 Hz. An otoacoustic emissions test can provide a strong indicator for tinnitus as studies have found emissions can be diminished in those with tinnitus and hearing loss.
Tinnitus Treatment
Suppose we can determine a diagnosis and address the condition causing your tinnitus. In that case, we may also be able to treat that condition and relieve your symptoms, although tinnitus is not always treatable and may require management instead.
If we can’t identify a specific cause of your tinnitus, we will recommend other treatment options that can help you better manage and reduce your tinnitus symptoms, such as:
Acoustic Therapy
Acoustic therapy is the use of sound with the intent to alter the tinnitus perception and reactions for clinical benefit. Often, sounds are used to cover up, or mask, tinnitus. Electronic devices that produce white noise, air conditioners, fans and soft music can all be employed.
You can employ a range of sound therapy options, including audio files, sleep noise generators, tinnitus-specific earbuds and more. These acoustic therapy methods help to habituate a tinnitus sufferer to their symptoms by reducing the contrast between the tonal sounds they hear and their environment. This allows the brain to blend and mask tinnitus sounds with natural and therapy added environmental noises.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy
One of the latest iterations of tinnitus retraining therapy is called acoustic neuromodulation. Using a combination of computer software, self-reporting and ongoing hearing tests, a specialist can create a custom tone profile designed to treat your specific tinnitus tones. The profile can be adjusted as needed over time.
Hearing Aids
Counseling
Behavioral therapy can be effective and provide a range of coping skills to help you manage tinnitus symptoms and the associated stress and depression that often accompany the condition.