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Tinnitus and Treatments

Tinnitus can be a debilitating and frustrating condition, often causing significant sleeping problems.

Neurosensory use clinically proven methods for reducing the impact of tinnitus

Tinnitus Overview

Do you have noises or ringing in your ears (or head) when no physical noise is present? Many different sounds may be experienced including buzzing, whistling, humming, roaring, clicking and hissing. The noise may be intermittent or continuous, and can vary in loudness. It is often worse in quiet, so people may be more aware of it at night when they’re trying to fall asleep.

Tinnitus is very common effecting 15 to 20% of people. Nearly every person would experience some form of tinnitus if all background sounds were removed. If you have a hearing loss you will miss some sounds and your brain may try to fill in the gaps by making the tinnitus more noticeable. Although it can be bothersome it is generally not a sign of something serious.

While there are no proven medical cures or medications for Tinnitus, there are ways to manage and reduce it.

If you are suffering from tinnitus, click here to request an appointment, or call Neurosensory today on 1300 965 513

Neurosensory and Tinnitus Treatment

Neurosensory employs audiologists who specialise in clinically proven methods for reducing the impact of tinnitus. As tinnitus is experienced differently by everyone, we tailor the tinnitus solutions to suit your individual needs.

The Neuromonics tinnitus treatment addresses the root causes of tinnitus, delivering clinically proven, long-term relief.

  • Carefully devised strategies, based on the latest tinnitus research, to give you relief from tinnitus.
  • The latest hearing device options, tailored to your personal tinnitus experience
  • Referral to further medical professionals where necessary.

Studies have shown that 91% of clients who have the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment experience a significant reduction in the awareness and disturbance of their tinnitus. (Davis PB, Paki B, Hanley PJ. The neuromonics tinnitus treatment: third clinical trial. Ear Hear 2007;28:242-59)

If you are suffering from tinnitus, click here to request an appointment, or call Neurosensory today on 1300 965 513

FREE tinnitus treatment for DVA clients

At Neurosensory, we offer DVA clients, who have received case-by-case approval from the Department of Veterans Affairs, FREE hearing services for the Neurosensory Neuromonics tinnitus treatment program.  There is now a program available from your smartphone or Ipad.

Tinnitus and Sleep Disturbance

Some people find their tinnitus is more noticeable when they are trying to fall asleep. This may be because they shift from a relatively noisy daytime environment to the quiet environment of the bedroom. The sounds surrounding us during the day “mask” the tinnitus and hence make us less
aware of it.

Insomnia experienced by people with tinnitus is usually accompanied by anxiety and unhelpful worrying thoughts such as “I will be so tired tomorrow”. This creates a level of stress arousal which makes the sensation of the tinnitus and the insomnia worse. One can become trapped in a cycle of sleeplessness, worry and increasing awareness tinnitus. Although the tinnitus is unlikely to change in volume focus on it may make it sound subjectively louder.

Diagram from the British Tinnitus Association website

Common Causes of Tinnitus

Hearing loss: tinnitus is commonly associated with a hearing loss but does not cause the hearing loss.
Exposure to loud noise: Loud noise such as heavy equipment, power tools, firearms, loud concerts can result in hearing loss and/or tinnitus.
Earwax
Temporomandibular joint disorders: This is the joint on both sides of your head where you lower jawbone meets your skull, otherwise known as the jaw bone.
Medications: A number of medications may cause or worsen tinnitus. Often the tinnitus will  disappear when you stop taking the medication. These medications may include some antibiotics, some cancer medications, diuretics, quinine (for malaria), certain antidepressants and high doses of aspirin.
Blood vessel disorder (eg. High blood pressure): this is rare and is called pulsatile tinnitus.

5 Management Strategies for Tinnitus

View it as a benign sound that cannot harm you rather than an annoying sound to be feared. Be re-assured that most people habituate to their tinnitus over time and it no longer affects their life in any way. The key to habituation is no longer feeling worried, anxious or threatened by the tinnitus. The more negative attention you focus on the tinnitus the harder it is to habituate to it because you brain remains in “high alert”.

If you have a hearing loss your brain may be trying to fill in the gaps by making tinnitus more noticeable. Hearing aids can reduce tinnitus by improving your hearing and taking away the strain of listening.

Fatigue and stress can become a damaging cycle for someone with tinnitus. Ear noises can seem louder at night when there is less environmental noise around. This can make you focus on your tinnitus more and prevent you from falling asleep. Some people find that playing soft background music or nature sounds helps whilst others prefer an audio book or the radio. Headspace has a highly rated app called “Meditation and sleep” which can be downloaded for free from the app store and has proven to be beneficial.

There are many methods that can reduce stress levels but mindfulness is particularly beneficial. Mindfulness is the ability to slow down and focus on the present moment. Suggested apps include ‘Insight Timer’ or ‘The Mindfulness App’. Both can be downloaded for free from the app store.

Loud noises such as power tools and music concerts can exacerbate your tinnitus. Either avoid these or wear plugs or earmuffs.