How Common Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is defined as any sound perceived by an individual that doesn’t come from the external environment or originate from outside the ear. Although the Latin word for tinnitus translates to “ringing,” this doesn’t mean that only those who hear ringing have tinnitus. People often describe tinnitus as a buzzing, whistling, rushing, or a combination of these sounds.
Approximately 1 in 6 people experience tinnitus, which equates to almost 4 million people in Australia.
However, the level of tinnitus disturbance will vary significantly from patient to patient. Therefore, it has been estimated that of the 4 million people who experience tinnitus, 1.1 million people may be moderately disturbed by their tinnitus enough to seek a medical opinion. And, almost 200,000 people are severely disturbed by their tinnitus on a daily basis.
Tinnitus Symptoms
While ringing in the ears is perhaps the most common symptom of tinnitus, it’s not the only one.
- Buzzing in the ear.
- Tinnitus sound, like a whooshing noise.
- Whistling.
- Clicking.
- Hissing.
- Roaring.
- Whining.
Some people have tinnitus in one ear only, other people have tinnitus in both ears. The sound of tinnitus might be all the time or it may be intermittent.
If you have any of these symptoms, you need ringing in ears treatment.
Tinnitus Symptoms
While ringing in the ears is perhaps the most common symptom of tinnitus, it’s not the only one.
- Buzzing in the ear.
- Tinnitus sound, like a whooshing noise.
- Whistling.
- Clicking.
- Hissing.
- Roaring.
- Whining.
Some people have tinnitus in one ear only, other people have tinnitus in both ears. The sound of tinnitus might be all the time or it may be intermittent.
If you have any of these symptoms, you need ringing in ears treatment.
What Can Be Done About
Ringing in My Ears?
Probably the most common question we receive is, ‘What can be done about tinnitus?’
People experiencing tinnitus want to know (understandably) if there is a tinnitus cure. Well, the answer to those questions depends on an individual’s ringing in their ears causes.
For example, in simple cases, tinnitus can be caused by too much wax in the ear canals. If this is the case, then simply removing the wax can ‘cure’ tinnitus.
In other cases, tinnitus can be caused by an ear condition, which may be able to be treated medically or with surgical intervention to, hopefully, reduce or ‘cure’ tinnitus.
For many, the tinnitus causes are changes in the auditory system for which there are no medication or surgical options. Therefore, in these cases, a ‘cure’ is unlikely. However, this does not mean it cannot be treated.
These are just a few of the many examples of things that can cause tinnitus. Therefore, it is important to understand that there is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer. For this reason, the first step to see what can be done about your tinnitus, is a full tinnitus assessment. With these results, our audiologist at Focus Hearing will be able to inform you of your options on what can be done to reduce your or your child’s tinnitus.
Our Tinnitus Assessment
History Investigation and Consultation
A full tinnitus assessment with our tinnitus specialist is the first step toward understanding the mechanisms of your tinnitus and, therefore, what tinnitus treatment can be used to help reduce your tinnitus.
At Focus Hearing, we allocate 1.5 hours for a tinnitus assessment, and the cost of this is $240, which is payable on the day.
The causes of tinnitus are numerous. Therefore, every tinnitus assessment begins with a thorough look at your history and discussion regarding your tinnitus, your hearing and ear health, and general health, among other things. We will also ask you to complete specific tinnitus questionnaires to help us understand how your tinnitus impacts on you as an individual.
Tinnitus Testing
- We carry out a visual inspection of your ear canal (outer ear) to ensure there are no physical blockages, such as earwax or a foreign body causing your tinnitus.
- If significant wax is present, our audiologists at Focus Hearing have been specifically trained in wax removal. In most cases, this can be done on the spot.
- Your audiologist will then measure the function of your middle ear. This helps to identify any issues that would typically require a referral to your GP or ENT specialist to determine whether medical intervention is necessary.
- A full diagnostic high-frequency audiogram will then be carried out. This is a measure of the softest sounds you can hear at a range of frequencies that are important for speech perception. This test is administered under headphones. The reason this test is performed is that it is very common for the frequency of a person’s tinnitus to correspond to a loss of hearing sensitivity.
- A speech-in-noise test.
- The tinnitus assessment also involves subjective measurements of your tinnitus pitch and loudness using the latest equipment. This information is helpful to determine the most appropriate tinnitus management program for you.
Consideration of Results
At the end of the testing, our tinnitus audiologist will fully explain the results, what we then know about the cause of your tinnitus, and therefore, what we can do about it.
If we find that your tinnitus is caused by something that can be treated medically, we will recommend you be reviewed by your GP or ear specialist (ENT surgeon). They can assess, and where necessary, offer treatment.
If the cause of your tinnitus does not warrant medical intervention, then our audiologist will discuss with you the most appropriate treatment options to reduce how intrusive your tinnitus is. Focus Hearing has access to the latest in tinnitus treatment options, including tinnitus-specific devices from leading manufacturers.
Our treatment options include:
- Sound therapy.
- Tinnitus retraining therapy.
- Tinnitus management programs.
- Hearing aids for tinnitus.
- Widex Zen Therapy.
- Smartphone apps.
- Sound generators.
Consideration of Results
At the end of the testing, our tinnitus audiologist will fully explain the results, what we then know about the cause of your tinnitus, and therefore, what we can do about it.
If we find that your tinnitus is caused by something that can be treated medically, we will recommend you be reviewed by your GP or ear specialist (ENT surgeon). They can assess, and where necessary, offer treatment.
If the cause of your tinnitus does not warrant medical intervention, then our audiologist will discuss with you the most appropriate treatment options to reduce how intrusive your tinnitus is. Focus Hearing has access to the latest in tinnitus treatment options, including tinnitus-specific devices from leading manufacturers.
Our treatment options include:
- Sound therapy.
- Tinnitus retraining therapy.
- Tinnitus management programs.
- Hearing aids for tinnitus.
- Widex Zen Therapy.
- Smartphone apps.
- Sound generators.
Focus Hearing spotlights Best Practice Audiology, which has been proven by research to deliver the foremost outcomes. Much more than just tests and aids, we offer a structured and efficient process for exceptional hearing. Our specialists provide exemplary, attentive care that maximises your hearing.
Tinnitus Treatment From Focus Hearing
If you have tinnitus, then you need to book an appointment with Focus Hearing so we can investigate the causes, and your audiologist will suggest what can be done to ‘cure’ the problem. We can provide some of the best hearing aids for tinnitus, management programs, and specific devices to reduce the issue. Furthermore, we are experienced in treating both children and adults.
Here at Focus Hearing, we are independent audiologists. This means you get a large choice of options without any affiliations to a particular manufacturer for your tinnitus treatment.