Tinnitus

Ringing, buzzing, chirping, clicking sounds? We can help.

Tinitus

Ringing, buzzing, chirping, clicking sounds? We can help.

Tinnitus and Hyperacusis

SYMPTOMS

Identifying the symptoms of tinnitus

Do you have an occasional or constant sense of the following sounds in your ears?

This condition is called tinnitus – and you don’t have to live with it.
Tinnitus is typically caused by hearing loss, noise exposure or medication (over 200 different kinds, including aspirin) but can also be strongly associated with stress.

Diagnosing Tinnitus

Evaluating Tinnitus is multifaceted. A Tinnitus assessment will include:

Treating Tinnitus

There are several ways to treat tinnitus:

Hearing aids can partially mask tinnitus and can enhance hearing at the same time. Sound therapy with hearing aids exercises the auditory portion of the brain and creates stimulation in areas with hearing loss, part of the tinnitus retraining therapy process.

There are hearing aids available that feature tinnitus and relaxation programmes, incorporating peaceful background sounds for tinnitus sufferers.

The use of hearing aids and sound therapy to treat tinnitus must be accompanied by education, counselling and stress management. Cognitive behavioural therapy assists the patient with changing his/ her thought patterns associated with their tinnitus. CBT has shown to be a vital part of tinnitus retraining therapy.

We at Tami Mehl Audiology find it beneficial to include professionals from other disciplines such as psychologists and physiotherapists in our management plan with Tinnitus patients.

Unpacking Hyperacusis

SYMPTOMS

Often tinnitus is associated with hyperacusis, an increased or over-sensitivity to sound. This condition is characterised by abnormal discomfort in response to sounds that are tolerable for those with normal hearing. Although hyperacusis may follow a blow to the head or exposure to loud noise, for many people its onset is baffling because it occurs independently of other identifiable disorders. Having said that, hyperacusis is a recognised symptom of several conditions and is sometimes associated with:
The first step in managing hyperacusis involves a full audiological work-up by a qualified audiologist who has a special interest in this area. Contact us today to make a booking.