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What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus can be a distressing condition which affects people of all ages. It is a medical condition which causes sufferers to hear ringing, buzzing and whistling in one or both ears.

Though there are no cures for tinnitus, research is being conducted into the condition and happily many people are able to effectively manage it to prevent it from negatively impacting on their quality of life.

It is not fully understood what causes the condition but it is known that tinnitus is the sound of activity within the cochlea which everybody experiences when they are in a completely silent environment. For most people the sound is masked because other noises cover it and the brain also filters out sounds that are not relevant. However in tinnitus sufferers the brain is not filtering out the sound of the activity within the cochlea and it becomes a constant presence.

Interestingly studies show that even without any intervention most people notice that their tinnitus disappears or diminishes significantly over a period of time – though this can take anything from a few months to a few years. This is because the brain loses interest in the noise and stops surveying the signal. This is called “habituation”.

How to Cure Tinnitus

That is not to lessen the impact that tinnitus can have on an individual’s well-being. Fortunately although there is no cure, there are a number of steps sufferers can take whilst waiting for habituation:

  • 69% of tinnitus sufferers notice a benefit from wearing hearing aids. For those who suffer from both hearing loss and tinnitus, hearing aids help by making environmental sounds louder which both masks the tinnitus and distracts the wearer from its presence. Hearing aids also have the benefit of making hearing easier which reduces stress and anxiety which can make tinnitus worse. At Hearing Healthcare Centre, we are exclusive providers for the Award Winning Beltone range of hearing aids. These hearing aids not only have high tech features for resolving hearing loss, but also have in-built tinnitus masking facilities
  • Wearable noise generators (WNG) – these are similar to hearing aids but produce a constant “sshhh” noise at a comfortable level. They should be worn as much as possible but particularly during quiet periods. The noise masks the tinnitus and most people report that it is in fact quite soothing.
  • Environmental sound therapy – particularly at night it is often beneficial to have something generating sound such as an electric fan, ticking clock or an out of tune radio. Sound pillows which have in-built speakers in them are also available on our website, along with other Alternative Listening Devices (http://hearinghealthcareshop.co.uk). This encourages the brain to focus on these sounds rather than the tinnitus.
  • Tinnitus apps – there are a number of apps available for Smart Phones (including Apple and Android) as well as tablet devices with a wide range of sounds to choose from. Many can be customised to suit the individual user’s requirements.
  • Relaxation – learning to ignore tinnitus is the key to overcoming it. This involves a relearning process to take away the awareness of the tinnitus signal. Tinnitus is like any other sound – it is not the source of the sound that is important but the sufferer’s interpretation of it. Therefore how somebody reacts to the tinnitus is as key as the actual sound itself. By practising relaxation it is possible to reduce the loudness of the tinnitus and eventually become indifferent to it; if your mind is occupied with positive thoughts it blocks awareness of other sensations including tinnitus.

Though there is no single cause of tinnitus, prolonged exposure to loud noise can increase the risk of being afflicted by it. It is therefore important to use protective ear products when working in a noisy environment and to not play music too loudly through earphones.

Anybody who suspects they may have tinnitus or other hearing concerns, please book in for a free consultation. Call us now on 01223 360700