Written by Dr. Jennifer Donath
Tinnitus is a symptom that can present in various forms such as ringing, hissing, roaring, humming, or any variation of sound that is perceived in the absence of an external source. If tinnitus occurs and persists more than a minute, a comprehensive audiological evaluation should be conducted. When test results rule out disease and other pathologies as the underlying cause, and hearing loss is identified, the most successful way to find relief from the tinnitus is to begin practicing the principles of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) in addition to introducing maskers.
The concept of TRT is to train the brain to no longer process the tinnitus sound. When someone with tinnitus focuses on the sound, they will have some sort of reaction which involves the emotional center in the brain, called the Limbic Center. The negative response such as stress, anger, frustration, or depression, can in-turn enhance the intensity of the tinnitus, which then starts a snowball effect.
Through the use of maskers, the tinnitus is replaced with a pleasant sound to help promote a relaxed state of mind. The objective is to learn how to ignore the tinnitus, much like extraneous sounds all around us are rarely processed, even though they are audible. For example, a barking dog from the neighbor’s house may drive my husband crazy because he is focused on it, and until he brings it to my attention, I may not have realized the dog was barking because I wasn’t processing the sound. Many sounds, sights and smells are presented to each of us all day everyday, but we only take in and process what is important.
Maskers are available in smart phone apps, or noise-making machines. But for those of us who have hearing loss and tinnitus, maskers are also available in hearing aids. The technology is superior in this day and age, and programming hearing aids is customized for each individual, so coping and managing with tinnitus is possible with guidance from our audiologists. Advanced Specialty Care’s Doctors of Audiology are specially-trained to provide you with coping solutions to best manage your tinnitus. Schedule your appointment with an audiologist today for our Danbury, New Milford, Ridgefield or Norwalk offices—call (203) 830-4700 or click here to request your appointment.
— Jennifer Donath, Au.D.
— Jennifer Donath, Au.D.Dr. Jennifer Donath is a board-certified Audiologist treating adult & pediatric patients in Advanced Specialty Care’s Danbury, Ridgefield & Norwalk offices.
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