WHAT IS TINNITUS?
“Tinnitus is a perception of sound (it must be heard). It is involuntary (not produced intentionally). It originates in the head (not hearing or overly sensitive to external sound). It is a SYMPTOM like hearing loss.” – McFadden,1982
TYPES OF TINNITUS
Middle Ear (objective)
-Tinnitus can be heard by both the patient and examiner via human ear, stethoscope or microphone
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- Generally associated to a cardiovascular condition
- Often described as pulsatile, or pulsing in conjunction with heart beat
- Rare form of tinnitus, not generally handled by Hearing Instrument Practitioners or Audiologist
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Sensorineural Tinnitus
– Tinnitus can only be heard by the client
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- Most common form of tinnitus
- No internal or external acoustic source
- Can relate to Somatic Tinnitus: Related to head, neck, dental, vascular issues, or disorders. Generally, it is intermittent or with wide fluctuations in intensity.
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Possible Causes of Tinnitus:
– Noise Exposure
– Medication side effects or interactions
– Various medical conditions (ex. Diabetes, Heart Issues, Blood Pressure, Auto Immune, Thyroid etc)
– Normal Aging Process
– Head/Neck/Spinal injuries or anomalies
– Hearing Loss: Most common
How can we help you?
Tinnitus is a permanent condition that can be managed with the help of hearing aids. While there is no cure, medications can assist with depression, sleep and anxiety which are usual effects of the condition.
Our hearing health team can assist you with a comprehensive hearing assessment and investigation into your tinnitus. We specialize in sound therapy, which is often a method used to manage your tinnitus.