WHAT IS TINNITUS?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in our ears or in our head. This sound does not correspond with any external sound and is often described as “ringing”, “whistling” or “buzzing”. There may be more than one sound perceived at any one time. This tinnitus cannot be heard by others (subjective tinnitus).
What are the Causes of Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom caused by a fault in our hearing system: the pathway from our ear to the brain. Background electrical activity is present in our hearing system producing a “brain hum”. People with a balanced hearing system (normal hearing) usually do not perceive this electrical activity because it is covered up by everyday external sounds. However, when something disrupts this balance we can become aware of our background electrical activity. This is tinnitus.
The most common fault in our hearing system is a hearing loss involving our cochlea (inner ear). This fault is irreversible and often caused by a history of excessive noise exposure or due to the process of aging.
Other causes of hearing loss can include middle ear infections/conditions, certain drugs or medication, head trauma, Meniere’s Disease (affects inner ear and balance organs which are attached to the cochlea).
Dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (connects the jaw to the skull) can also lead to tinnitus as this joint is very close to our hearing system. When the temporomandibular joint swells, it can affect our hearing system, causing tinnitus. Often pain is experienced in the jaw region.
In addition to the perception of tinnitus, the brain can increase the sensitivity of our hearing system to compensate for a hearing loss (similar process when one experiences phantom limb pain) which amplifies the tinnitus and increases our sensitivity to loud sounds.
Tinnitus becomes a significant problem when you become highly aware and disturbed by it. This is because the tinnitus sound is interpreted as a threat such as a serious medical condition or fear of losing peace and quiet times. This reaction involves the auditory cortex (the part of the brain that makes sense of sounds) by comparing them to other sounds in our memory (eg. tinnitus sounds like cicada’s) and the limbic system, a nearby area in the brain which produces our emotional response to the sounds.
Signals are also sent back to the inner ear through a feedback loop.
When the tinnitus is interpreted as a threat, the distressing and unpleasant feelings will be automatically activated every time the tinnitus is detected because of its high level of importance, involving these links between the brain and hearing system. This process amplifies the tinnitus again through the feedback loop, resulting in greater awareness. This process is known as the “The Tinnitus Cycle”.
How Common is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is quite a common symptom. Approximately 10-20% of the population will experience noticeable tinnitus at some time in their lives. It is more common in older age. Tinnitus usually lasts for a short period of time (for example: after loud noise exposure), but it can persist continuously and will be more noticeable in a quiet environment, such as going to sleep.
1-2% of those with tinnitus will find the condition causes them significant distress, fear & anxiety; this affects their quality of life in areas such as sleep, relaxation, concentration.
In rare cases tinnitus can be heard by others eg. through a stethoscope. This is known as objective tinnitus and can be the sound of a heartbeat in the ear or neck. Subjective tinnitus (our “brain hum”) is the most common form of tinnitus.
How can we Manage Tinnitus?
The first step is to consult an ear specialist in order to rule out any underlying medical problem and assess whether the tinnitus can be corrected medically.
You may require the fitting of hearing aids if you have a hearing loss because straining to hear can worsen the tinnitus. Hearing aids reduce this and may also help decrease the awareness of tinnitus.
Melbourne Audiology Centre is happy to help you with this service.
Stress will heighten the sensitivity of the brain to all sounds, hence aggravating tinnitus. Controlling your stress levels will reduce this effect. Reducing caffeine, alcohol and smoking may also improve your tinnitus.
The Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment (Visit http://www.neuromonics.com) is a clinically validated treatment researched over 10 years involving four clinical trials. It is a novel approach to breaking the negative cycle of tinnitus where tinnitus is having an impact on your lifestyle.
The treatment is a 6 month rehabilitation program involving the use of a medical device that delivers a customised pattern of sounds, so as to gradually reduce the impact of tinnitus by desensitising the negative reaction to the tinnitus. Tinnitus awareness and disturbance gradually reduces. In some cases where there is an increased sensitivity to loud sounds, the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment can also improve this reaction.
The second step is to book a comprehensive tinnitus assessment appointment, which will also include a full diagnostic hearing test. Detailed information is provided about tinnitus and your individual case. The appropriate recommendation is given; this may include The Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment, or alternative options.
Melbourne Audiology Centre offers these tinnitus assessments and Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment. For more information or to book an assessment appointment please call our clinic on (03) 9415 5858 or 1300 761 021.
THE NEUROMONICS TINNITUS TREATMENT
Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment was developed in Australia by Neuromonics in conjunction with Dr Paul Davis, Adjunct Associate Professor of Audiology at Curtin University of Technology WA, who suffered tinnitus for years and was fed up with the lack of effective treatments available.
The Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment is an acoustic tinnitus treatment using individually customised patterns of sounds, incorporated within music and delivered via a medical device. Education and monitoring from a clinician are crucial components of the treatment. The program takes approximately 6 months.
Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment provides consistent effective outcome faster than other treatment; it offers early benefits in the form of relief, relaxation & control and reduces awareness of and disturbance from tinnitus after 4 - 6 months.
Clinical Trials
Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment has undergone four clinical trials involving more than 200 people with tinnitus and reduced sound tolerance.
Trial results include:
- 97% of participants reporting relief from tinnitus
- 95% of participants reporting an improved ability to sleep
- 95% of participants reporting a sense of control over their tinnitus
Within six months of the trials:
- 90% had a clinically significant reduction in tinnitus disturbance
- 85% had at least a 30% reduction in the time they were aware of their tinnitus
- 60 % had at least a 5dB improvement in their loudness discomfort level
How does Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment Work?
Through his research, Dr Davis determined the pattern of sounds which work best on the neurological pathways involved in tinnitus perception and disturbance. Dr Davis discovered that these sounds could treat tinnitus and that the treatment was most effective if the pattern was customised for each individual’s hearing and tinnitus profile.
The first step involves an initial detailed assessment to determine each individual’s suitability for the treatment and make the appropriate recommendation. If the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment is recommended, the audiologist gathers information required to customise the correct acoustic stimulus for each and every client.
Treatment is delivered via a small, portable medical device which delivers an individually customised pattern of sounds to each client undergoing the Treatment. These sounds target the brain’s neural pathways to train them to ignore the sound of the tinnitus and break “The Tinnitus Cycle”.
 Users listen to treatment for 2-3 hours a day when their tinnitus is at its worst, at typically quieter times, at night and when trying to sleep.
What are the Benefits of the Neuromonics Treatment?
The Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment helps users sleep better, relax more and lessen the frustration and distraction caused by tinnitus. By providing relief, it gives back control over one’s life. Awareness of tinnitus gradually decreases as the brain learns to ignore the sound of the tinnitus.
Neuromonics Accredited Providers
The Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment is available through a limited number of Accredited Providers including Melbourne Audiology Centre. For an assessment appointment or to receive further information, call our clinic on (03) 9415 5858 or 1300 761 021.
If you mention that you saw Neuromonics Tinnitus treatment on our website, you will receive a 25% discount off the full price of the initial assessent.
You can also visit the Neuromonics website at http://www.neuromonics.com
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