What is Tinnitus? A Review By National Hearing Care

Tinnitus is a perception of sound by the individual, which has not originated from an external source. More specifically, it is a perception of sound generated within the individual’s own auditory pathway.

A simple example of this is the ringing in the ears that can be heard after loud noise exposure, usually when having moved to a quieter environment.

A wide range of tinnitus treatments and perceptions exists. A high-pitched ringing is the most common but can be of almost any frequency or modulation.

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National Hearing Care is an independent Australian-owned business that specialises in the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment.

If you need tinnitus relief, visit the National Hearing Care website to arrange your free evaluation at one of its specialist clinics around Australia.

How Common is Tinnitus?
Most individuals will experience this condition in one form or another during their life. About 30% experience persistent ringing in the ears. Severe disturbance, affecting the individual’s quality of life arises in 2% of the population.

Why is it a Problem?
The presence of this condition is an indication of damage to the auditory pathway, and is a "red flag" to a sensory injury. Appropriate precautions should be taken in order to strive towards a tinnitus cure.

The ringing heard after loud noise exposure is usually associated with a temporary hearing loss. After about 16 hours the ear can return to its pre- exposure condition. However, repeating the injury will result in a permanent loss of hearing, and the ringing may not go away.

Distress levels
For many, this condition is not distressing. In others, it can become particularly debilitating to the point that individuals can contemplate self-harm.

It is believed the distress arises from an association our bodily defence systems attach to the perception. For example, fingernails scratching on a blackboard cause a physical "Goosebumps" reaction in most people. It is the association we attach to a sound causing displeasure that can make it distressing.

What can be done about it?
For many, simple reassurance may be quite sufficient. Tools exist to measure the pitch and loudness of the tinnitus, as well as survey instruments to gauge the level of disturbance experienced by the individual. These measures inform your audiologist as to the most appropriate course of action. Some approaches for tinnitus treatment may be:

• dentifying fears related to the condition
• Management of hearing loss with hearing aids
• Cognitive therapy
• Distraction strategies
• Stress management and relaxation strategies
• Sleep management
• Masking devices

What is the Neuromonics Treatment?
The Neuromonics Treatment is a clinically validated treatment via an approved medical device. The treatment works by targeting the neurological processes underlying tinnitus, and seeks to break the alarm individuals suffer in the perception of their condition, via acoustic masking and counselling strategies.

What Does the Research Say?
Clinical trials indicate that up to 90% of trial participants reported significant improvement in tinnitus symptoms and quality of life within six months of using the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment. A high proportion of those receiving this tinnitus help reported reduced awareness of the condition and associated disturbance, an improved sense of control over their condition, as well as an improved ability to relax and sleep. They also reported an improved tolerance to loud sounds.