Tinnitus Frequently Asked Questions*
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WHAT IS TINNITUS?
The Noise in Your Ears You’re Experiencing Is Tinnitus
Tinnitus is often described as the experience of hearing a sound in your ears, sometimes in your head. In medical publications and dictionaries, you will most often find the definition of tinnitus as the phantom perception of sound.
- Nearly 90% of people with hearing loss have tinnitus and vice versa.
- Over 50 million Americans experience tinnitus.
- Tinnitus affects people of all ages, though it is more common in older adults.
The Theory of Tinnitus:
When the brain is not adequately stimulated by the ears (even in the very earliest stages of hearing loss), the brain will increase neural activity to make up for the missing input – and the result is that you will hear a sound (that you shouldn’t be hearing!). The more technical way to describe this is that tinnitus is most often the result of a ‘central gain’ in neural activity that occurs when there is a loss of proper neural stimulation from the ear (after there is damage to the cells inside the ear and in the brain).
Is Tinnitus, aka the ringing in your ears or head, Normal?
No. Tinnitus is a neurological condition that is often associated with an early sign of central nervous system disease (JAMA, 1984). While some people say they barely notice the noises in their head, many notice a profound impact on their daily life and report tinnitus as impacting their social, emotional, hearing, physical and cognitive health.
Can Tinnitus Be Treated?
Yes. When treated properly by a medical professional, treatment can be effective in ~90% of all patients. The American Academy of Otolaryngology guidelines for treating tinnitus recommends the use of prescription hearing aid technology to reduce tinnitus – including in patients with no complaints of hearing loss.
CAN TINNITUS BE PREVENTED?
This is a tough one “can tinnitus be prevented” – that has both a yes and no answer!
Given the most common cause of tinnitus is due to aging, tinnitus in most people is not avoidable if you live long enough. The underlying cause of tinnitus can start in the 4th to 5th decade of life and become noticeable shortly after that.
In many people, there are additional external factors that make their tinnitus worse, including excessive noise exposure, stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, and anxiety.
Can I Treat My Tinnitus With Surgery?
Many patients who are desperate to reduce their tinnitus will ask if cutting or severing the hearing nerve will eliminate their tinnitus. This permanent, deafness-producing procedure is not a dependable means of reducing tinnitus. In fact, the surgical destruction of a person’s hearing nerve can often leave tinnitus as the only sound heard (like ‘Phantom Limb’).
What Are My Odds With Tinnitus And Medication?
Put bluntly – there are currently NO FDA-approved drugs specifically for treating tinnitus. However, there are pharmacological options to address the stress, anxiety, and depression that are caused by (and can sometimes exacerbate) tinnitus.
IS TINNITUS HARMFUL?
YES!
Think of tinnitus as your internal warning alarm telling you something is wrong. If you didn’t have tinnitus and now do – something has gone awry! The most common cause of tinnitus is a progressive degeneration of the neural system connecting the ears to the brain. Deficits in this neural network can impact memory/mental health, increase your risk of dementia, and raise your chances of a traumatic fall.
How Tinnitus is Harmful in Central Indiana to Overall Health and Well-Being?
One of the most immediate effects of tinnitus is its impact on sleep quality. Many individuals with tinnitus struggle to fall or stay asleep due to the unrelenting sounds in their ears. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to a host of problems, including fatigue, weakened immune function, and difficulty focusing during the day. Over time, these issues can affect productivity and even strain personal and professional relationships.
The psychological toll of tinnitus is another significant concern. The condition is closely linked to anxiety and depression, as the persistent noise can create feelings of hopelessness and frustration. Many people report difficulty enjoying previously pleasurable activities, which can lead to social withdrawal and isolation. For individuals already predisposed to mental health challenges, tinnitus can exacerbate these issues, creating a negative feedback loop that’s difficult to break.
Although tinnitus itself isn’t life-threatening, its far-reaching impact on mental and physical health underscores the need for effective treatment and management. Reaching out to HearBest early can improve quality of life, offering relief and reducing the long-term harm associated with this challenging condition.
Does Acupuncture Work To Reduce Tinnitus?
Currently, there is no conclusive research to confirm whether acupuncture can effectively alleviate tinnitus symptoms. However, since there are no indications that it could exacerbate tinnitus, you might be inclined to give it a try.
Acupuncture is a safe practice that may also help to ease other issues and correct imbalances that may be associated with tinnitus, including:
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ)
- Hypertension
- Chronic Neck Pain
IS THERE A CURE FOR TINNITUS?
What Is The Proven Way To Reduce Tinnitus?
The most effective and proven treatment for tinnitus is to stimulate the brain with sound to reduce activity in the neural networks that create the phantom perception of sound.
Do I Need Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) For My Tinnitus?
Tinnitus retraining therapy is a form of indirect treatment for tinnitus and may be considered to supplement direct treatment. The benefits of TRT can vary from patient to patient, and minimal peer-reviewed data supports the effectiveness of TRT.
WILL MY TINNITUS CAUSE HEARING LOSS?
How Long Will My Tinnitus Last?
Here’s our equivocal answer: if you don’t treat your tinnitus, it will get worse. If you properly treat your tinnitus, the odds are in your favor (90%) that you will notice a marked reduction in your tinnitus, and you will likely have less tinnitus.
Is Tinnitus A Disability?
While the right treatment can help you to live an active life without the constant interference of tinnitus, extreme cases can be disabling.
Can Earwax Cause Tinnitus?
TINNITUS TREATMENT:
What treatment options do you offer for tinnitus?
We provide comprehensive tinnitus management using the HearBest Optimization Method and the ONLY FDA-approved treatment for tinnitus, including sound therapy and advanced hearing technology. Our approach is customized to your specific tinnitus experience.
Can tinnitus be cured?
While there's no single cure for tinnitus, our proven treatment methods can significantly reduce its impact on your life. Many guests (90%) report substantial relief through our comprehensive management approach.
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a symptom of neurological disorder. Tinnitus can result from various factors including hearing loss, noise exposure, medications, damage or medical conditions. Our thorough evaluation helps identify underlying causes and develop effective treatment strategies.
How do you measure tinnitus severity?
We use advanced diagnostic tools to measure tinnitus and it’s impact on your life. This precise assessment guides our treatment recommendations.
Does stress affect tinnitus?
Yes, stress can significantly impact tinnitus perception. Our comprehensive treatment approach includes stress management strategies and lifestyle modifications.
WHAT IS THE MEDICAL TREATMENT OF TINNITUS?
NeuroTechnology™ - Scientifically Proven to Reduce Tinnitus
The most effective form of direct treatment is NeuroTechnology™ and is both FDA-approved and effective in nearly 80% of patients. In fact, recent reports that investigated the impact of tinnitus treatment on sleep, concentration, work, and when hearing others in a conversation, have all noted dramatic reductions in the impact of tinnitus on everyday life.
Although a limited number of people with tinnitus do not have documented hearing loss, NeuroTechnology™ is also designed to help these people. Many studies show that patients who use tinnitus support technology note a significant reduction in their daily tinnitus experience – with some even reporting that the ringing is gone all day.
Re-Stimulate the Nerve From Ear-to-Brain
WHY DOES TINNITUS INCREASE FALLING RISK?
The Inner Ear & Balance
Treatment to Prevent Future Health Problems
We specialize in the medical treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus. Our providers are the experts in the care, precise fitting, and ongoing support that ensures optimal outcomes. Our comprehensive approach delivers the most optimal results.
The Best Specialist to Restore Your Hearing Health
We utilize advanced verification tools and the HearBest Optimization Method to ensure precise fitting and programming for optimal performance.
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