Tinnitus is a condition well-known for its primary symptom: hearing a phantom noise. It can have a variety of causes, and while there isn’t exactly a cure, there are several treatment options. At Hearing Doctors of New Jersey, we provide our patients with a proprietary tinnitus hearing assessment to ensure they receive the treatment plan that works best for them.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is an auditory disorder where you perceive a sound outside your ears where one does not exist. It’s commonly associated with ringing in the ears but can be described as a roaring sound, whistling, or humming. Migraines can also be an issue with tinnitus as well.
Tinnitus can be experienced after exposure to loud environments or sudden very loud noises, but it can also be a symptom of another condition.
There are also two types of tinnitus: subjective and objective tinnitus. Objective tinnitus is caused by something other people can hear, while subjective tinnitus is when noise is generated in the inner ear and is something other people can’t hear.
Subjective tinnitus is likely what you think of when you think of the disorder. It can be caused by hearing loss, aging, or conditions like Meniere’s disease.
Is There A Cure For Tinnitus?
Whether tinnitus can be cured or not really depends on the case. If the tinnitus is caused by an underlying condition and you address the underlying condition, it can be cured. But tinnitus on its own does not currently have a known cure. Luckily, there are some treatment options you can turn to in order to manage your symptoms and make them less severe.
Tinnitus Hearing Assessment
At Hearing Doctors of New Jersey, to diagnose tinnitus, we use our comprehensive H.E.A.R. Method™ Treatment Program tinnitus assessment.
During your tinnitus hearing assessment, our Doctors of Audiology will start off by discussing your symptoms and any factors that might contribute to them. You’ll want to let them know when you experience your symptoms, how long you’ve had them, if they’ve ever changed in any way, and when you hear the sound the loudest.
Your Doctor of Audiology will also enquire about your medical history, family history, and your lifestyle to rule out any underlying factors. They will also examine your ears to look for blockages and physical abnormalities.
Finally, they will perform a number of hearing tests to match the pitch and loudness of your tinnitus. This can help them figure out the exact cause and help them customize a treatment plan for you.
Treating Tinnitus
Treating tinnitus can be done in a variety of ways. Hearing aid technology and hearing therapies are often used, but the type of treatment that works for you can vary greatly depending on your symptoms.
At Hearing Doctors of New Jersey, we provide several hearing therapy options to help you address your tinnitus symptoms. The therapies we offer include:
Static Noise Therapy
This is a common and fairly simple solution to tinnitus. It works by basically drowning out the tinnitus with a hearing aid tuned with a static noise generator that distracts you from the ringing sensation you hear. Your Doctor of Audiology will help you find the right frequency level that allows you to keep your focus off your tinnitus.
Notch Therapy
For people with tonal tinnitus, notch therapy can be very helpful. It teaches the brain to ignore the sound by using weeks or months of audio training. How does this work? We use hearing aid technology to match the pitch of the ringing noise and direct your brain’s focus away from that noise. Over time, your brain will ignore the sound without the need for the white noise.
Ocean Wave Therapy
Rather than use static noise, this therapy uses pulsing, calming noises to distract you from the ringing of your tinnitus. And instead of a constant stimulant, the sound is repeated in rolling swells that often sound like waves on the beach (hence the name). This helps people associate their tinnitus symptoms with relaxation and serenity instead of worry or anxiety.
Schedule A Consultation
If you’re experiencing symptoms of tinnitus or worried about your hearing in any way, now is the perfect time to schedule a consultation at Hearing Doctors of New Jersey. Our Doctors of Audiology will answer any questions you have, examine your ears, perform an assessment, and build a treatment plan suited to your needs.
