Understanding Tinnitus and Finding Relief
The term "tinnitus" is derived from Latin, meaning to "tinkle or ring like a bell." It can be pronounced as either “tin-night-us” or “tin-it-is,” both being correct. Tinnitus is defined as the perception of sound in the ears or head without any external source, often referred to as "ringing in the ears" or “head noise.” Many patients seeking medical help for tinnitus discover that their condition is not caused by a serious medical issue, which can often provide relief. However, for others, tinnitus can be disruptive and stress-inducing, requiring professional assistance to cope with the sounds.
In the U.S. alone, an estimated 50 million people suffer from tinnitus, with 16 million seeking medical attention and 2-3 million finding themselves completely disabled by it. Fortunately, help is available. Tinnitus can be managed effectively, and many individuals are unaware of the useful treatments that exist.
How We Assess Tinnitus
To understand the impact of tinnitus on your life, we ask a series of questions to evaluate your experience:
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Because of your tinnitus, is it difficult for you to concentrate?
Does the loudness of your tinnitus make it challenging to hear conversations?
Does your tinnitus make you feel angry?
Does your tinnitus cause confusion?
Do you feel desperate due to your tinnitus?
Do you frequently complain about your tinnitus?
Does tinnitus make it hard for you to fall asleep at night?
Do you feel trapped by your tinnitus?
Does your tinnitus interfere with social activities, like going out to dinner or watching movies?
Do you feel frustrated because of your tinnitus?
Do you worry that your tinnitus indicates a serious disease?
Does your tinnitus hinder your enjoyment of life?
Does tinnitus affect your job or household responsibilities?
Do you often feel irritable because of your tinnitus?
Is it difficult for you to read due to your tinnitus?
Does tinnitus upset you?
Has your condition strained your relationships with family or friends?
Do you struggle to focus on anything other than your tinnitus?
Do you feel a lack of control over your tinnitus?
Does your tinnitus make you feel fatigued?
Do you experience feelings of depression linked to your tinnitus?
Does your tinnitus cause anxiety?
Do you feel unable to cope with your tinnitus?
Does your tinnitus worsen when you’re stressed?
Does your tinnitus make you feel insecure?
What to Expect from Your Tinnitus Assessment
Our tinnitus assessment typically takes about 60 minutes, during which we will conduct various evaluations to understand your symptoms and their effects on your everyday life. Each person suffering from tinnitus is unique, and often the triggers for one person are not the same for the next. Hence, we offer flexibility in these sessions. There are times where we will need to allocate extra time to each person since every individual's experience is unique.
Tinnitus Management and Treatment
We thoroughly enjoy each and every tinnitus challenge – everyone is unique, and therefore everyone’s rehabilitation process will be individual and personal. We are committed to helping individuals understand their tinnitus, identify its causes, and develop coping strategies. We utilise various effective treatments such as trigger identification, cognitive behavioural therapy and sometimes tinnitus-function hearing devices to help retrain patients to cope with their tinnitus and reduce their symptoms.
There are also a variety of devices available on the market that can mask tinnitus and assist with sleep. If you’re interested in a tinnitus treatment programme but don’t know how to start, contact us to learn how we can guide you through the process.
Contact us now to start your journey to improved hearing health, balance, and enhanced cognition. Let's work together to optimise your auditory wellness!
