What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is an annoying noise perceived in the ears or in the head which may sound like a hissing, humming, ringing, roaring or any other noise which is heard but not present in the person’s immediate surroundings. It is often more noticeable in quiet situations (such as in the middle of the night) when there is an absence of competing noises.

Tinnitus may affect up to 20% of Australians during the course of their lives. A smaller percentage of this group experience ongoing distressing tinnitus and will need professional help.


What are the causes of tinnitus?

Hearing disorders are the most common cause of tinnitus. Exposure to loud noise and stress may also bring on temporary periods of tinnitus.

Acoustic shock is a common trigger of tinnitus caused by an unexpected very loud sound close to the ear.

Hyperacusis is a hypersensitivity to sounds, which is commonly associated with acoustic shock and tinnitus.


What should I do about my tinnitus?

The sooner you seek professional help the smaller the chances you have of becoming a chronic tinnitus sufferer.

An audiologist specialised in tinnitus will be of help to you. The audiologist will conduct specific tests and if any medical cause is identified you will be referred to a specialist (ENT, neurologist, dentist, psychiatrist, psychologist). After the diagnosis a management program will be designed for your specific case.

The most common solution to a tinnitus problems is appropriate acoustic stimulation. Hearing aids markedly reduce tinnitus perception and also lower the stress associated with the tinnitus and hearing loss. Hearing loss is often a major source of stress due to the breakdown in communication and increased effort put into hearing.

Proper fitting of hearing aids by an audiologist tinnitus specialist is imperative to the management of tinnitus. If the aid is not adjusted correctly it may cause further damage to the hearing by the output being too high or, alternatively, if the gain is too low the tinnitus may become more noticeable.

If you have tinnitus and your current hearing aids are not helping, you may want to see one of our audiologists to correct the problem.

An alternative method, the Neuromonics® tinnitus treatment, is also available through our clinic for a selective group who may not benefit from hearing aids. More on Neuromonics® >>

Useful Links

Australian Tinnitus Association

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©2008, Celene McNeill