About Tinnitus

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a condition, often experienced as ringing in the ears or head. Depending on the severity and nature of a patient's condition, there are a number of tinnitus treatment options to reduce the ringing in the ears.

Tinnitus is sometimes described as hissing, roaring, whooshing, chirping, whistling or clicking.

Tinnitus can occur in one ear, both ears, or in the head and can be perceived to be occurring inside or outside the ear.  It may be a constant sound or it may come and go.

What causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is usually caused by a fault in the auditory system. Symptoms can arise from problems as simple as wax against the eardrum, or as serious as a tumour on the hearing nerve. A major cause is exposure to excessive noise, e.g. chainsaws, machinery, rock concerts and may also be caused and worsened by some forms of medication.

What to do to help lessen the severity of the ringing in the ears

• Avoid exposure to excessively loud sounds and noises.
• Get your blood pressure checked.
• Avoid too much coffee, tea, alcohol, and tobacco, especially in the evenings.
• Exercise daily to improve your circulation.
• Get adequate rest and avoid fatigue.
• If taking regular medication, see your doctor about known side-effects or seek an alternative.

What can be done to treat minor forms of Tinnitus?

There are a number of options available to help manage the ringing in the ears - these include:

• Fitting of hearing aids - Helps you hear the right sounds by making them louder and the tinnitus less noticeable.
• Tinnitus maskers/noisers - A small electronic device to help make the ringing or roaring seem softer.
• Tinnitus advice - Counselling to address the emotional and psychological aspects of the serious tinnitus sufferer.
• Medicine/drug therapy - This tinnitus treatment option helps to improve inner ear circulation. 

May relieve the stress that can accompany tinnitus.

Book an appointment

If you are uncertain about the severity of your tinnitus contact your local Connect Hearing centre for full hearing assessment and they will check your level of severity at your hearing assessment appointment.

To book an initial appointment simply call 1300 362 231 or click here