Tinnitus Management

Tinnitus sounds vary greatly between individuals, the most commonly reported include ringing, buzzing, humming, hissing roaring or clicking. Tinnitus can be continuous or can come and go. It can be present in one ear only, both ears, or as a generalised sound 'in the head'. If you have recently noticed the onset of tinnitus, it is recommended that you have your hearing checked so you can receive the appropriate assessment and management.

The best way to prevent tinnitus is to protect your hearing from damage. The most common preventable hearing loss is noise induced hearing loss from work or recreational activities. If you have tinnitus but are concerned it may get worse, preventing further hearing damage will help, as well as focusing on overall mental health and wellbeing because when unmanaged, this is the greatest underlying risk factor for bothersome or distressing tinnitus.

Any damage or dysfunction to the auditory (hearing) pathways can cause subjective tinnitus to emerge, the most common cause being some kind of hearing loss. Sometimes this damage or dysfunction is not detectable on standard audiometric tests. Objective tinnitus can be associated with temporomandibular joint disorders, blood vessel disorders or soft tissue/muscular spasms to name just a few.
Factors that influence how distressing or bothersome tinnitus can be are reduced mental health and wellbeing, e.g. unmanaged conditions such as chronic stress, anxiety, depression or disorders such as PTSD. Often a key focus for audiologist at Lions Hearing Clinics when assessing and supporting individuals with bothersome tinnitus is a referral to other professionals such as a psychologist in parallel.

The natural history varies significantly. If tinnitus is caused be reversible conditions like earwax blockage, ear infections, or medication side effects, addressing the underlying cause may lead to resolution. Chronic tinnitus (lasting longer than 6 months) is less likely to disappear completely but can become less noticeable with proper management.

For some people with hearing loss, hearing aids can reduce the prominence or impact of tinnitus by improving access to everyday sounds. Some devices also offer sound-support features. A hearing and tinnitus assessment will help determine the most appropriate management options for you.