Tinnitus Management

There is no universal cure for tinnitus, but there are treatments that make it less of a distraction. The primary treatment goal is to reduce an individual’s perception of tinnitus rather than making it vanish completely.

In many cases, the exact cause of tinnitus can’t be identified. In these cases, symptoms can often be managed successfully through a number of different strategies.

Acoustic Therapy

Sounds are used to stimulate the auditory system and reduce the perception of tinnitus. This distracts your brain, reducing the relative intensity of the tinnitus, and helps you “tune out” the sound in your ears. Electronic devices that produce white noise, air conditioners, fans, soft music, etc. can all be employed.

Hearing aids

Hearing loss causes maladaptive neuroplastic changes in the brain. Hearing aids are used to stimulate the auditory pathways received by the brain. Background sounds can mask tinnitus. Hearing aids can also help the patient better distinguish one sound from another, improving communication and helping with focus and concentration difficulties. Many devices also come packaged with noise generators to replace ambient sounds if amplification alone does not reduce tinnitus.

Counseling

Counseling, sleep and cognitive behavioral or relaxation methods can be practical in helping you manage your tinnitus symptoms by reducing the stress, anxiety and sleeplessness that are often associated with tinnitus. Willamette ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery providers teach methods to help you manage your tinnitus symptoms.

Do you experience a ringing in your ears? If so, you are not alone. Tinnitus affects an estimated 50 million Americans—about 20 percent of the population. It can range from a mild annoyance to a full-fledged problem that severely impacts your quality of life.

Call Willamette ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery at (503) 581-1567 for more information or to schedule an appointment.