Understanding Tinnitus and How We Can Help

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is when you hear a sound inside your ears or head that doesn’t have an external source. It can sound like ringing, buzzing, humming, or even pulsing. The sound may come and go or be constant, and it can vary in intensity.

Two Types of Tinnitus:

1. Subjective Tinnitus: This is the most common type, and it can only be heard by the person experiencing it.

2. Objective Tinnitus: This type is rarer and can be heard by a healthcare professional using special equipment. It’s sometimes caused by a problem in the middle ear or spontaneous sounds from the inner ear.

How Tinnitus Affects You

When tinnitus first appears, it can feel overwhelming. The sound may dominate your thoughts, making it hard to focus during the day or sleep at night. It can feel like the sound is always at the front of your mind.

Why Does Tinnitus Happen?

Tinnitus can start suddenly, or it may develop after noise exposure, trauma, or other health factors. It’s important to understand that while tinnitus can be troubling, it is a condition that we can help you manage, even though there isn’t a cure through conventional medication or surgery.

How Can an Audiologist Help?

While tinnitus can't be "cured" with traditional treatments, we can help you manage it. As audiologists, our role is to assess your ear health and look for any physical causes, that may be affecting your tinnitus. We also focus on helping you shift your focus away from the tinnitus, so it doesn’t feel like the first thing you notice when you wake up. Moving from the front of your mind to the back, where hopefully you only hear it when you actively listen for it.

We can support you with strategies to move the tinnitus "to the back of your mind," so it becomes less overwhelming, even though it may still be there, helping you feel more in control.