Tinnitus management
Get tinnitus services from our hearing clinics
Tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom arising from a range of underlying causes. It is one of the most common conditions that people experience - an estimated 37% of adult Canadians (9.2 million) had experienced tinnitus in the past year.
When it comes to treating tinnitus there are a number of treatment options available. Once you have been tested and diagnosed, you can look into treating the condition. Often it can be managed with hearing aids or masking devices when hearing loss is involved. When hearing aids are not an option counselling, and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy could be the next step.
Tinnitus testing
At the appointment, the clinician will have a conversation with you about what you are experiencing with tinnitus. During this conversation, they will ask you certain questions based on common signs and symptoms. You will be asked about the noise you are hearing, triggers, when you hear it most often, and any pre-existing conditions or medications you are on.
There is no test specifically for tinnitus, but hearing tests can be performed that can help confirm a diagnosis.
Tinnitus management services
Drown it out
Two birds with one stone
For people who have both tinnitus and hearing loss, hearing aids can be an effective way to manage both conditions. The hearing aids amplify other sounds you want to hear, which draws attention away from the tinnitus.
Some hearing aids can be programmed to contrast the internal sound of tinnitus. These types of hearing aids work in two ways to help your condition:
Compensate for hearing loss
Compensate for hearing loss so that you hear external sounds better.
Tinnitus management
Provide a tinnitus management program in your hearing aid settings.
Request an appointment in a centre close to you
Tinnitus management on your smartphone
There are also special apps you can get on your smartphone that can help provide therapy for your tinnitus.
The WIDEX ZEN Therapy app is a comprehensive tinnitus management program. It consists of four components that can be tailored to your individual needs. That includes counseling features that help you change the negative interpretation of tinnitus. Amplification can be used to stimulate the ears and brain to reduce the contrast between the surrounding sounds and the tinnitus.
Other components include relaxation and fractal tones which are designed to provide a calming effect, and may also be used as a sound therapy tool.
The Zen Therapy app is available to download for free from the Apple Store and Google Play.
TRT: Easing tinnitus with therapy
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (T RT) can help you grow accustomed to your tinnitus. This means you can reach a state of mind where there is no longer a negative emotional response.
TRT can include directive counselling, sound therapy and most importantly time. The therapy teaches you to ignore the tinnitus to the point that it no longer bothers you. This form of tinnitus treatment takes 12 to 24 months and is successful when performed by an experienced and certified therapist.
Enhancing quality of life
Another option is tinnitus counselling with an experienced hearing health care professional. Those who have been trained in managing tinnitus can provide counselling to improve your chances of success in regaining your quality of life. They will help you obtain extensive educational resources on tinnitus and learn more about your triggers.
It should be understood that not all tinnitus can be eliminated or reduced, no matter the cause. Sometimes it will go away on its own.
Targeting the source
If your tinnitus is caused by another illness or health condition, and not due to exposure to loud noise, some medications may help. However, no medications have been approved specifically for the treatment of tinnitus.
The way these medications work is by treating the underlying cause of the tinnitus. The more the symptoms of those conditions are reduced, the more the severity of your tinnitus is also reduced. It may be completely eliminated if your underlying condition is cured.
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Tinnitus relief tips
Exercise
Physical activity helps to reduce stress and distracts you from the noises in your ear.Diet
Watch what you eat because some food and beverages have been known to trigger or exacerbate tinnitus symptoms.Listening to music
At moderate levels will help take your mind off the ringing in your ears.Ear protection
Always wear hearing protection when you are exposed to noise or loud music.Relaxation
Reduce stress and find a calming technique that suits you, such as autogenic training, yoga, meditation, and so on.Ambient noise
Increasing background noise, such as white noise, can help you stop focusing on it instead of your tinnitus.
