Tinnitus: Mitigation and prevention for ringing in the ears

Tinnitus and hearing loss

People who experience tinnitus often show symptoms of hearing loss as well. While there is currently no known cure for tinnitus, there are options available for tinnitus relief. 

If you suffer from tinnitus and hearing loss, there are hearing aids available which include tinnitus relief features. 

Book a complimentary hearing assessment* and hearing aid demonstration in one of our centers to learn about hearing solutions that can address your hearing needs.

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What causes tinnitus?

There are many possible causes of tinnitus. The most common cause is exposure to excessive noise, which damages the tiny hair cells in the inner ear. The ringing in your ears is the result of your brain trying to compensate for the loss of hair cells.

Common causes of ringing in the ears include:

1. Exposure to loud noise
2. The natural aging process
3. Middle-ear infections
4. Emotional distress
5. Diabetes
6. Negative reactions to medicines
7. Neck or head injuries
8. Hyperacusis (intolerance to noise)
9. Other untreated medical conditions, such as Ménière's disease, otitis (a middle-ear infection), etc.

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Sound therapy can provide relief from ringing in the ears

Although sound therapy cannot eliminate tinnitus, it can be a helpful tool for managing the symptoms. With sound therapy, you listen to different, carefully selected sounds, that may help you feel that your tinnitus is reduced or temporarily gone.

It then becomes easier to not focus on your tinnitus and focus on something more pleasant. You can find the sound therapy that gives you the most effective relief from ringing in the ears by working together with your hearing care expert.

Sound therapy can be provided through:

• Tinnitus-masking sound generator devices
• Apps for tinnitus relief
• Sound and sleep apps
• Hearing aids with tinnitus sound therapy features

Take online tinnitus quiz

Tinnitus and hearing loss – do you have both?

Research shows that most people with tinnitus have some degree of hearing loss without being aware of it, and many of them can benefit from hearing aids.

90% of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss¹

Hearing aids can help transmit more sounds into the ear and brain, thereby making the symptoms of tinnitus less bothersome. Moreover, improved hearing helps you to focus on sounds other than tinnitus, and for many people, this improvement is enough to experience relief.

Take online tinnitus quiz

Sources

¹https://www.ata.org/about-tinnitus/why-are-my-ears-ringing/other-hearing-conditions/
2. Al-Swiahb, J., & Park, S. N. (2016). Characterization of tinnitus in different age groups: A retrospective review. Noise & health, 18(83), 214–219. https://doi.org/10.4103/1463-1741.189240
3. Beck D.L. (2012) British Academy of Audiology. Podium presentation.
4. www.hearinghealthfoundation.org
5. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003043.htm
6. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/03005368509078983