Evidence-Based Tinnitus Treatments
There are various types of help available for people who experience tinnitus, including:
Medical evaluation
Tinnitus may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, such as ear infection or hearing loss. A physician can conduct a physical exam and recommend tests to determine the cause of tinnitus.
Hearing aids
If tinnitus is caused by even a slight amount of hearing loss, hearing aids can help improve hearing and reduce the perception of tinnitus. Fortunately, it is possible through our office to trial hearing aids before commiting to a permanent pair.
Sound therapy
Sound therapy involves the use of external sounds to mask or distract from the tinnitus. This can include white noise, music, or nature sounds. There are several ways that sound therapy can help manage tinnitus symptoms:
- Masking the sound of tinnitus: Sound therapy can be used to mask the sound of tinnitus by playing an external sound that is similar in frequency and volume to the sound of the tinnitus. This can make the tinnitus less noticeable and provide relief from the symptoms.
- Distracting from the sound of tinnitus: Sound therapy can also be used to distract from the sound of tinnitus by playing an external sound that is different from the sound of the tinnitus. This can help shift the focus away from the tinnitus and reduce the perception of the sound.
- Habituation: Habituation is a process by which the brain learns to ignore a persistent sound. Sound therapy can help facilitate this process by providing a continuous external sound that is more tolerable than the sound of tinnitus. Over time, the brain may learn to ignore the sound of tinnitus.
- Relaxation: Sound therapy can also be used as a relaxation technique to help reduce stress and anxiety, which can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms.
It is our experience that sound therapy can be an effective treatment approach for tinnitus by providing relief from symptoms and improving quality of life and the research correlates well with our experience. As audiologists, we can help you formulate a plan for using sound therapy.
Counseling and Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
While counseling with an audiologist regarding tinnitus can be helpful, there are times that a trained CBT therapist can help individuals learn coping strategies to manage the emotional distress associated with tinnitus.
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT)
TRT involves a combination of sound therapy and CBT to retrain the brain to ignore the tinnitus.
Medications
While some medications may help a person to reduce the stress and anxiety associated with tinnitus, there are no known medications that reduce tinnitus directly.
Determining the right treatment for tinnitus depends on the underlying cause of the condition, the severity of the symptoms, and the individual's preferences and needs. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for tinnitus, and it may take some time to find the right treatment approach for your specific needs. Along with the help of an audiologist, be patient and persistent in seeking the right treatment option for you.
If tinnitus is affecting your quality of life, the first step to do is make an appointment for a tinnitus evaluation. We have a long history of helping people manage their tinnitus and they are some of our most rewarding success stories.
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