What Treatments Will a Hearing Health Professional Recommend for Tinnitus?

If you have been hearing ringing, whistling, whooshing or buzzing in your ears, then there is a chance that you are living with tinnitus. Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying condition where you hear noises, that have no external source. It can be challenging to live with, especially if you do not know what is happening or why, but a hearing health professional can help to diagnose and treat your tinnitus. If you go to see a hearing health professional, what treatments will they recommend for tinnitus?

Initial Assessment

Before recommending any treatment, your hearing health professional will conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine the characteristics and possible causes of your tinnitus. This evaluation often includes hearing tests, an assessment of the impact of tinnitus on your daily life and possibly other examinations to rule out underlying conditions.

Sound Therapy

One of the most common treatments for tinnitus is sound therapy. This method involves using external sounds to alter the patient’s perception of, or reaction to, tinnitus. Here are a few sound therapy tools:

• White noise machines: These devices produce a steady, soothing sound that can mask the tinnitus noise, making it less noticeable.
• Hearing aids: Many modern hearing aids are equipped with tinnitus maskers that emit sound specifically designed to counteract the tinnitus noise.
• Tailored sound generators: For some cases, hearing health professionals might recommend a device that generates customized sounds tailored specifically to the pitch and volume of the individual’s tinnitus.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

Tinnitus retraining therapy is a combination of sound therapy and directive counseling designed to help people become less aware of their tinnitus. TRT focuses on training the brain to reclassify tinnitus as a sound that should be consciously ignored.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

While hearing health professionals do not perform psychotherapy, they may refer patients to a psychologist for cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT is a type of psychological treatment that helps patients manage their reactions to tinnitus. It focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with tinnitus to improve one’s emotional and psychological well-being.

Lifestyle Modifications

Lifestyle changes can also play a significant role in managing tinnitus. Hearing care providers may provide advice on several modifications that can help alleviate the symptoms, including:

• Dietary changes: Reducing the intake of stimulants like caffeine and nicotine which can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms.
• Stress management: Techniques like meditation, yoga or even regular physical exercise can help reduce the stress that may amplify tinnitus.
• Sleep management: Because tinnitus can often interfere with sleep, hearing care providers may offer strategies to improve sleep hygiene.

When to Seek Further Medical Advice

Your hearing health professional might also recommend that you consult with other healthcare professionals if they suspect that your tinnitus is caused by an underlying medical condition that falls outside their scope of practice, such as hypertension or diabetes.

If you have noticed a ringing or buzzing sound in your ears, you might be experiencing tinnitus. If you want to learn more about the treatments available to treat your symptoms, schedule an appointment with a hearing health professional.