What is Tinnitus?
The most common type of tinnitus is Subjective Tinnitus. This is awareness of
sound in the head or ears in the absence of any corresponding external sound.
Tinnitus can be perceived as any sound or combination of sounds, however,
common descriptions of tinnitus include 'ringing' or 'hissing'.
Sounds from the head or ears that can be detected externally are known as
Objective Tinnitus or Somatosounds.
What Causes Tinnitus?
Awareness of tinnitus often follows a change in the hearing system or a change
in the function in the regions of the brain associated with attention or
emotion.
Our hearing system is very flexible as it is constantly being optimised for
different hearing environments. This means that a healthy hearing person can
comfortably hear very soft sounds (e.g. rustling grass) or extremely loud
sounds (e.g. loud music at a concert).
If the sensitivity of the hearing system is compromised, for example after
listening to loud music at concert your hearing is less sensitive than it
should be, tinnitus may be heard.
Tinnitus tends to be most problematic when the brain has focused significant
attention on the signal and a strong emotional association has been formed.
In some quite rare cases tinnitus can be a symptom of a medical condition that
requires treatment.
Tinnitus is Normal and Common
Tinnitus can be heard by at least 94% of people in certain circumstances such as
listening actively for a time in a very quiet room.
People with no detectable hearing loss may experience tinnitus, although it is
most common when some temporary or permanent hearing loss is present.
About 20% of the population report experiencing tinnitus on occasion with around
1% experiencing significant annoyance from their awareness of tinnitus.
Tinnitus Assessment and Treatment
Awareness of tinnitus from time to time is quite normal. However, if tinnitus is
causing significant distress then you should have an assessment of your
tinnitus and hearing. Your Hearing Advantage Audiologist will arrange referral
for medical investigation if appropriate.
Tinnitus is usually most bothersome at night or other times when it is quiet.
The easiest treatment for tinnitus is therefore to avoid silence through adding
soft sound to your environment. Commonly used sounds include nature sounds
(e.g. relaxation music, classical music).
Treatment for tinnitus may include directive counseling, tinnitus retraining
therapy, masking or use of hearing aids to reduce the effects of hearing loss.
What is Reduced Sound Tolerance?
This is the abnormal discomfort experienced through exposure to sound. There are
several different types. Discomfort caused by louder sounds when significant
hearing loss is present is known as Recruitment. Discomfort experienced when
exposed to normal or loud sounds in the absence of hearing loss is known as
Hyperacusis. Misophonia/Phonophobia is an abnormal sensitivity to specific
sounds when they are at normal or even a soft level.
What Causes Reduced Sound Tolerance?
Similar to tinnitus, reduced sound tolerance is caused by a change in the
hearing system or a change in the processing of sound in the brain.
Reduced Sound Tolerance and Tinnitus
About 60% of those who experience problems with tinnitus also have difficulty
with reduced sound tolerance. Treatment for these conditions may be similar and
conducted at the same time.
Hearing Advantage Audiologists specialise in the assessment and treatment of
reduced sound tolerance and tinnitus.
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