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Relief and treatments for tinnitus

Although there is no cure for tinnitus, there are many treatment options available

If you experience persistent noise in your ears when there is no sound, then you’re not alone. Tinnitus is very common and can be a mild annoyance or a debilitating disorder.

 

In the simplest terms, tinnitus is a persistent noise in the ears. It can occur in the head or in one or both ears, and tinnitus is often described as a ringing, whistling, humming, buzzing, or pulsing sound. It can be intermittent or constant, and the noise ranges widely in volume.

 

Tinnitus is very common. In 2019, an estimated 9.2 million Canadians were afflicted with the condition, with their experiences ranging from a mild or temporary issue to a permanent and debilitating disorder. Approximately seven per cent of Canadians suffer from a loss of sleep, an inability to concentrate, and bouts of irritability due to tinnitus. Many experience tinnitus to such a degree that they cannot function on a day-to-day basis.

 

The disorder can vanish as spontaneously as it appeared. But for those less fortunate, there is no cure for tinnitus.

 

There are, however, a number of treatments available to reduce the listener’s sensitivity to the noise. The best treatment for you depends on the noises you hear and your hearing health, so visit Professional Audiology to talk to an audiologist about the best tinnitus treatments for you.


37% of adults experience tinnitus

Tinnitus is defined as the “perception of sound” in the head or the ears without the presence of an external source of noise.

 

Much like chronic pain, tinnitus occurs when parts of the brain that control noise and pain signals become dysfunctional and an auditory sensation is triggered without the presence of a physical stimulus.

 

There are two types of tinnitus: subjective and objective. Subjective tinnitus produces noise that is experienced only by the patient and is the most common form of tinnitus. Objective tinnitus is audible and can be recorded using a sensitive microphone.

 

The ringing in the ears (or head noise) can be sound-induced and high-pitched or flat and sounds like mid-range tones. It can also manifest as a hissing, buzzing or popping sound. In rare cases, some people say it sounds more like music.

 

Tinnitus can be annoying or it can be debilitating. Or somewhere in between.

 

It can disrupt sleep and reduce the ability to concentrate. It can also be a source of stress, anxiety, and depression in some people. Tinnitus can come and go, or it can be a constant, persistent and inescapable irritation. 




Causes of tinnitus

When developing a treatment plan for tinnitus, it is important for an audiologist to understand the cause of your symptoms.

 

Many people assume that tinnitus is the underlying condition that causes hearing loss. But tinnitus is not a disease, and it does not have a known physiological cause.

 

Rather, it is a reaction in the brain to damage to the auditory system. It is most commonly associated with noise-induced hearing loss, but it is also linked to a variety of health conditions, such as head and neck trauma, earwax buildup, old age and cardiovascular issues.

 

Because hearing loss and tinnitus can both result from noise damage to the ear, an individual can develop both hearing loss and tinnitus from noise exposure. The two conditions do not always occur together, however. In fact, one in five Canadian adults experience tinnitus with no measured hearing loss.

 

These potential causes can also worsen the severity of an existing tinnitus condition, so it’s not only important to identify the cause, but also to identify potential exposure to risks to your hearing health. 



Tinnitus treatment options in Edmonton

There is no objective test to diagnose tinnitus – it is a subjective disorder with only subjective assessment tools, so it can be difficult to measure.

 

But tinnitus is a very real condition, and it can be debilitating.

 

At Professional Audiology in Edmonton, an audiologist will discuss the impacts of tinnitus on your day-to-day life. Then we will work collaboratively with you to develop a personalized treatment plan.


Everyone experiences tinnitus differently, so we personalize every tinnitus treatment plan.

 

Although is no cure for tinnitus, the condition can be managed by treating its symptoms and by modifying the sufferer’s reactions to it through sound therapy. Sound therapy is one of the most effective treatments for tinnitus and typically comprises the use of background sounds to occupy the auditory system and distract the brain from focusing solely on the tinnitus.

 

Changes in your lifestyle can also make living with tinnitus more manageable. Exercise and a healthy diet can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression associated with tinnitus. Other stress-reduction techniques, like mindful meditation, can help patients accept their tinnitus and move past the frustration of the head noise.

 

Effective treatment of tinnitus often involves a mixture of therapy and technology. Hearing aids can be used for sound therapy and are also beneficial to those who suffer from tinnitus in conjunction with hearing loss.

 

Book a visit at Professional Audiology to talk to an audiologist about the best options for you to manage the impacts of tinnitus.


Book your hearing test today

Hearing health is complex, and tinnitus affects every individual in a unique way. Custom treatment plans are essential to easing the suffering of those afflicted with tinnitus, and the first step is booking a hearing test.

 

Hearing tests do not simply screen for hearing loss. In a hearing exam, an audiologist performs a variety of tests to identify and treat a range of ear conditions, including tinnitus. It is an opportunity to uncover the potential causes of any hearing challenges.

 

A complete hearing test will provide a full understanding of your hearing health. At Professional Audiology we want to match your care, treatment and technology with your personal experiences. See our guide to know what to expect from hearing care at Professional Audiology.



How often should I get my hearing tested?

18 Apr, 2023
It’s routine for people to schedule medical checkups, like an annual physical, vision test or dental exam. But regular hearing tests are much less commonplace. Despite the integral role hearing plays in our daily lives, we just don’t tend to pay it as much mind. Your hearing is far from static, which is why we urge everyone—both young and old, known hearing loss or not—to get a hearing test and ensure you’re properly caring for all your senses. What happens during a hearing test? Hearing evaluations may be in-depth, but they are nothing to be nervous about. We won’t be poking and prodding you. Professional Audiology goes beyond the basic tests to better ensure our clients receive the thorough care they deserve. Here’s an in-depth overview of what happens during a hearing test. Hearing Screening A quick pass/fail test of your ability to hear different tones in each ear. It will indicate if you have hearing loss but will not go into any detail about the type or levels of degradation. If you fail a hearing screening, you should definitely get a full hearing test. Hearing Test Sometimes referred to as a hearing evaluation, these tests go in-depth into analyzing and diagnosing your hearing ability, your understanding of speech and assessing your outer, middle and inner ears. Components of a full hearing evaluation Your hearing is a two-part process, involving the physical action of hearing as well as the processing of the sound information once received by your brain. It’s crucially important to test based on both these factors to ensure you receive the proper care. There are a number of different tests that will be performed during your hearing evaluation. These include: Air conduction Otoscopy Bone conduction Tympanometry Word recognition Loudness discomfort levels None of these tests are invasive, and when combined, they offer our clients the fullest possible picture of their current hearing, and help highlight the best path to better hearing health. When should I get my hearing tested? There are many good reasons to receive a hearing test, and far fewer reasons not to. If you or someone you know has hearing loss, regular hearing tests are crucial to tell whether your loss is changing or degrading. If you’ve been receiving treatment for hearing loss, hearing tests will be able to gauge if that treatment has been successful in providing help and hopefully stemming the tide of further damage. If you work in a loud environment or frequent loud spaces like concerts, then regular hearing tests can be very helpful in guarding against further damage. Occupational hearing loss is unfortunately very common. If you ever notice a pervasive ringing in your ears, it is definitely in your best interest to receive a hearing test. Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, and while it can’t be treated the same way, a hearing test can certainly help you better understand your condition. If you’ve never received a hearing test before, it can be very helpful for future visits to have a baseline to compare to, so in the future it will be easier to determine if any loss has occurred. If for any reason, you or a loved one is questioning whether they may be suffering from hearing loss, then a comprehensive hearing evaluation can either quell those concerns or help lead you to the next step in determining how to tackle and prevent any further hearing loss. 

How hearing loops help when you’re out and about

18 Apr, 2023
There are plenty of situations in your day-to-day life that require a level of active listening. For anyone with hearing challenges, this can create a barrier that makes going about your regular business quite difficult. One solution for dealing with this is hearing loops, a very helpful technology that can make a huge difference for folks who are hard of hearing. What are hearing loops? A hearing loop is a unique sound system that is used to transmit sound directly to a user’s hearing aid or cochlear implant. Made up of a physical loop of cable that is placed around a designated area, a hearing loop transmits sound by generating a magnetic field in the area which delivers a signal to properly equipped hearing aids. When hooked up to a microphone, a hearing loop carries a speaker's voice wirelessly to listeners hearing aids and is best implemented in environments like church halls, theatre rooms and public spaces like banks, information centers and similar public-oriented service providers. How do hearing loops work with hearing aids? For a hearing aid to pick up the transmitted sound from a hearing loop, it has to be equipped with a called a telecoil. Also referred to as a T-coil, this technology is made up of a small coil of wire wrapped around a rod that acts as an antenna to pick up the sound being delivered by a hearing loop. All cochlear implants have telecoils equipped, and nearly 80% of hearing aids either have a telecoil included or are capable of using one. It’s important to ask that a telecoil be included with your new hearing aids, as it is such a helpful tool to be used when you’re out and about. How do I use a hearing loop? This is arguably the best part of hearing loop systems, as cochlear implants and T-coil-equipped hearing aids automatically pick up the signal, meaning you don’t have to do anything to enjoy the benefits of crystal-clear communication. Say you walk into a bank with a hearing loop system. Rather than having to struggle to hear what the teller is saying behind their glass partition, you’ll be able to hear their voice clearly and succinctly without so much as pushing a button. Even better is going to a packed local play and not having to strain to hear the actors, as their voices are being transmitted directly into your ears. Hearing loops provide a level of access that hearing aids alone can’t even offer. More and more locations around the world are adding hearing loops to their services, providing those who are hard of hearing the chance to go about their days with an increased level of normality. Where can I find hearing loops in Edmonton? There are multiple locations around Edmonton that provide the added hearing assistance of a hearing loop. The popular Citadel Theatre in downtown Edmonton has hearing loops installed in two of its performance areas, allowing everyone to enjoy their shows the way they were meant to be. Most of the HSBC banks in the city are equipped with hearing loops, and all of Edmonton’s public libraries offer hearing loops at their front counters. You can go to Hearing Loops Canada For a more detailed list of hearing loop locations as well as plenty of other useful hearing loop resources. If you’re interested in the benefits of hearing loops, your first step should be to book a hearing test . Professional Audiology can help you find the right devices that will not only take advantage of the benefits of hearing loops but also greatly help improve your ability to hear. Take that first step and see how hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.

Tips for hearing better when dining out

18 Apr, 2023
There’s no question that dining out can be a stressful experience for anyone suffering from hearing loss. With diners chatting away, cutlery clanging and music playing at an uncomfortably loud level, even folks with healthy hearing may have a hard time communicating with their table mates. These debilitating decibels can make it an easy choice to stay in and miss out on socializing, which can quickly take a toll on your overall mental well-being. Here are some straightforward tips and tricks that can help those who are hard of hearing have an enjoyable experience when heading out for a bite. Take the Time to Plan Ahead If you are the one planning the restaurant outing, then all the power is in your hands. Make sure to use it! When these tips are combined, they’re sure to increase the enjoyment level of your culinary excursion. Research quiet restaurants People love to make lists and categorize essentially everything online. If you live in an urban area, there’s a very good chance that someone has taken the time to discern which restaurants won’t blow out your eardrums. Choose your seating carefully If you’re planning early, you should be able to pick your seat. Sitting right in the middle of a crowded dining area, with noisy neighbours in all directions, is sure to cause you some distress. Specifically, ask for a high-backed booth or a corner seat where you’ll have a wall to your back. This is sure to cut out a lot of the clamour. Timing is everything As you are the master and commander of your outing, you have a lot more sway in picking the time for everyone to gather and chow down. While brunch is certainly trendy, it won’t be hearing-friendly. Neither will the middle of the dinner rush be. Pick a time after the lunch rush, before the dinner rush, or even have a slightly later dinner. That way, after you’ve devoured your food, the restaurant will be nice and quiet, allowing you and your guests plenty of time to comfortably sip your wine and chat the night away. When Not in Charge of Planning, Advocate for Yourself This can admittedly be quite a tricky one. Nobody wants to inconvenience their friends or loved ones with a perceived huge ask for accommodation. It’s uncomfortable, and odds are your brain will tell you you’re asking too much and being a real pain. We’re here to tell you, you’re not asking too much. Your hearing issue is a real physical and measurable issue. Your mates will more than likely be happy to help you have an enjoyable dining experience. If not, then we’re sorry your friends suck. Bottom line: as hard as it can be, advocating for yourself is more than acceptable. Take Advantage of Tech to Improve Your Dining Experience Thank goodness for the ever-evolving world of technology, as there are products, devices and apps out there that can help you get the most out of your social forays. One such option is the ability to live transcribe the conversations at your table using your smartphone. There are multiple free apps, including a Google Android app that allow you to actively read what is being said by those dining with you. While the technology isn’t perfect, and you may get some comedically hilarious translation hiccups, context will probably help you through those bugs. Hearing aids are life changers for those who are hard of hearing Of course, the tried-and-true method to help you hear your surroundings with clarity and accuracy is hearing aids. Gone are the bulky and awkward hearing aids that stick out like a sore thumb. In are the sleek and discreet hearing aids with advanced technology like directional microphones that will help you focus the conversation. Hearing aids really can make a hugely beneficial impact on your life. You don’t have to continue suffering on your own, struggling from one conversation to another. While not a 100% cure to all your hearing issues, they are by far the best and most effective option to get you back out socializing and enjoying your life the way you used to. You can start your road to hearing recovery by booking a hearing test with Professional Audiology. Our trained and knowledgeable audiologists will help you find the hearing aid solution that works best for your specific needs. Take that first step and see how hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.
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