Get Relief From Your Tinnitus
There is no cure, but there can be relief
I am committed to helping people who suffer from tinnitus as 60% of people with Tinnitus also have a hearing loss, there are a number of tinnitus solutions available to help with the treatment & management of Tinnitus. Thus enabling you to take back control over your tinnitus. I undergo Training on the latest techniques on how to manage Tinnitus including such as courses as Widex Zen and Tinnitus Conference with Robert Sweetow & GN ReSound Progressive Tinnitus Management Workshop.
Call us now on 01492 540000 to book your appointment
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of any corresponding external sound. This noise may be heard in one ear, in both ears or in the middle of the head or it may be difficult to pinpoint its exact location. The noise may be low, medium or high‑pitched. There may be a single noise or two or more components. The noise may be continuous or it may come and go.
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus is not a disease or an illness, it is a symptom generated within a person’s own auditory pathways. Although it is often assumed that tinnitus occurs as a result of disease of the ears, this is often not the case. The precise cause of tinnitus is still not fully understood.
Who gets tinnitus?
Experiences of tinnitus are very common in all age groups, especially following exposure to loud noise; however, it is unusual for it to be a major problem. There is a widely held misconception that tinnitus is confined to the elderly, but various studies have shown that it can occur at any age, even in quite young children. Mild tinnitus is common ‑ about 10 per cent of the population have it all the time and, in up to one per cent of adults, this may affect the quality of their life.
What to do if you think you have tinnitus?
Tinnitus is rarely an indication of a serious disorder, but it is wise to see your doctor if you think you might have it. Should something treatable be causing it, you may be referred to a specialist.
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Try not to worry
The noises may seem worse if you are anxious or stressed. When tinnitus starts, particularly if it’s sudden, you may naturally be frightened and your concentration or your sleep may be disturbed. You may get angry and frustrated because no‑one else understands, or you may live alone and not have anyone to talk to about it ‑ that’s where the BTA can help. You can contact the BTA office in Sheffield and speak to one of the helpline advisers who have years of experience talking to people with tinnitus, we can also put you in touch with a support group or contact if there is one in your area. Groups are run by people who are living with tinnitus ‑ personal contact and shared experience are very useful for many people with tinnitus.
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Find out more
You will probably feel better when you find out more about the condition ‑ that it’s very common and you’re not alone.
Many people say they notice tinnitus less when they are doing something. Keeping your mind occupied helps (but don’t overdo things). If the noises seem louder at quiet times, particularly during the night, it may help to have soothing music or some other environmental or natural sound quietly on in the background.
Practicing relaxation and taking time out for yourself can also be a great help.
Hearing Aids & Tinnitus
Studies have shown robust evidence promoting hearing aid fitting as an effective treatment option of tinnitus control. The provision of hearing aids decreased the severity of tinnitus in 69% of bilaterally aided patients and 67% of unilateral aided patients.ª Similarly, research undertaken by Del Bo et al, (2006)º showed successful results for 22 patients fitted with open-fit hearing aids in alleviating symptomatic tinnitus perception. The participants in this study had a mild-moderate hearing loss predominately in the 2-6 kHz frequency range. The pitch of tinnitus is often detected in the 3-8 kHz range. In conjunction with hearing aid fitting, all patients had tinnitus retraining therapy, which proved to be effective at habituating sound perception, allowing the patient to ignore the presence of tinnitus over a period of six months.
If you have a hearing loss, a hearing aid can help with managing tinnitus by offering sound therapy in the following ways:
- Increase the information available to the brain by amplifying background sounds making the tinnitus seem less audible.
- Improve communication with others, therefore reducing stress levels.
- Helping to compensate for your hearing loss.
- Help you to habituate to tinnitus sounds.
Open Fit Hearing Aids & Tinnitus
open-fit hearing aids have been successful in tinnitus patients is because they do not significantly occlude the ear canal, which can aggravate tinnitus symptoms and, therefore, do not interfere with external sound transmission. They provide sufficient amplification in patients with a mild-moderate hearing loss, have an in-built noise reducing control, and are perceived as highly comfortable. In conclusion, the combination of using a hearing aid and employing counselling techniques will equip the patient with tinnitus and a mild-moderate hearing loss in the 2- 6 kHz region to habituate to their tinnitus and learn how to manage symptoms better.
ZEN – RELIEF FOR TINNITUS
Widex developed the Zen programs to help tinnitus sufferers relax and make tinnitus less noticeable.
Inspired by the relaxing effect of certain types of music, Widex developed the Zen programs. Zen is a unique music program available in some Widex hearing aids. Based on what is known as fractal technology, Zen plays random, chime-like tones that can be used for relaxation and for making tinnitus less noticeable.
Your hearing care professional can adjust each Zen program according to your preferences in terms of pitch, tempo and volume. Your hearing aid can also be provided with different programs to suit varying situations and purposes. For some hearing aid users, the effect of using Zen is immediate, but for most it will take some time.
Resound Alera TS
Tinnitus sufferers can now find relief in a hearing aid that teaches the brain to ignore unwanted sounds.
Alera TSTM, is a new hearing aid for tinnitus, combines an advanced hearing aid with a Tinnitus Sound Generator (TSG). The TSG is used to administer sounds that make the disturbing noise less noticeable, drawing your attention away from the tinnitus. This approach is known as Sound Therapy.
Alera TSTM provides flexibility for individualized Sound Therapy. As each case of tinnitus is unique, hearing professionals can customize Alera TSTM to help relieve personalized cases of tinnitus.
Tinnitus is the most prevalent physical disability reported by military service members and veterans. Previously, there were very few devices that could treat both hearing loss and tinnitus in one system – and these devices didn’t have the flexibility to adapt to the ever-changing sound therapy plan recommended by the VA-accepted Progressive Tinnitus Management Program.
With Alera TSTM, positive results have been reported by VA audiologists. 83% reported a significant or satisfactory improvement in tinnitus symptoms after activating the Tinnitus Sound Generator feature.
Siemens instruments as tinnitus devices.
If you want to use Siemens Life or Pure Carat for tinnitus control, you can choose from four different therapy signals. When you have found the one that best matches your tinnitus, the Hearing Care Professional can fine-tune the therapy signal so that the tinnitus sound is drowned out. Afterwards, you can always adjust the volume easily and discreetly using one of the Siemens remote controls.
Simultaneous tinnitus control and hearing instruments.
Many tinnitus patients also suffer from some degree of hearing loss. Siemens Life and Pure Carat can be used as hearing instruments alone or in combination with a tinnitus therapy signal. The therapy signal is fixed to a broadband noise that can be fine-tuned by the Hearing Care Professional for your tinnitus therapy.
Hyperacusis relief.
When certain environmental sounds are perceived as “painfully loud”, this condition is known as hyperacusis. Thanks to their flexible programming, our instruments are suitable for some hyperacusis treatment and can provide comfort to the wearer.
We also supply a wide range of Tinnitus Management and Treatment Devices and Noise Generators. Please click on the link below to view the brochure.