Tinnitus
Live Better, Hear Better: Tackling Tinnitus
Finding Relief from Tinnitus
Expert Care at Capital Institute of Hearing & Balance
Are you experiencing persistent sounds in your ears or head that no one else can hear? This common condition is called tinnitus (pronounced TINN-it-us or tin-EYE-tus), and it can manifest as ringing, buzzing, whistling, whooshing, or other phantom noises. While tinnitus can vary in sound and intensity, it can significantly impact your daily life.
At Capital Institute of Hearing & Balance, our doctors are highly trained in evidence-based methods for evaluating and managing tinnitus. We understand that each patient’s experience is unique, which is why we develop a personalized treatment plan to help you gain control and find lasting relief from your tinnitus.
Understanding Tinnitus: More Than Just a Sound
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound source is present. It is often a symptom of an underlying issue rather than a disease itself.
Common factors that can contribute to tinnitus include:
Hearing Loss: This is a frequent cause, as the brain may try to compensate for reduced external sound input.
Noise Exposure: Damage from loud sounds can affect the delicate structures within your inner ear.
Head or Neck Injuries: Trauma can impact the auditory system.
Certain Medications: Many drugs have tinnitus as a side effect.
Stress and Anxiety: Emotional factors can often intensify the perception of tinnitus.
Other Health Conditions: Such as high blood pressure or issues with the jaw joint (TMJ).
The sounds of tinnitus are diverse and can include:
A high-pitched ringing or hissing.
A pulsating whooshing sound that may match your heartbeat (called pulsatile tinnitus).
A low-frequency buzzing or humming.
Clicking, roaring, or other unique sounds.
Tinnitus can be constant or intermittent, and its loudness can range from barely noticeable to quite bothersome. When tinnitus is persistent and intrusive, it can interfere with sleep, concentration, and overall well-being.
Our Evidence-Based Approach to Tinnitus Management
Our goal at Capital Institute of Hearing & Balance is to help you reduce the impact of tinnitus on your life. Our doctors use evidence-based strategies – meaning our methods are supported by scientific research – to help you habituate to your tinnitus. Habituation means your brain learns to filter out the sound, so you become less aware of it and less bothered by it over time.
We provide a tiered-care approach, customizing your treatment plan to your specific symptoms and needs. Your personalized management plan may include:
Comprehensive Evaluation and Education
A thorough tinnitus evaluation to understand your unique tinnitus characteristics. Our assessment measures the pitch (how high or low), loudness, and residual inhibition (how much the sound fades after being exposed to certain noises) you experience. This detailed information helps us precisely understand your tinnitus.
Identifying potential underlying causes and contributing factors to your tinnitus.
Detailed education about what tinnitus is, why it happens, and how our brains can learn to adapt.
Guidance on protecting your hearing and avoiding factors that might worsen your tinnitus.
Practical advice on managing stress and anxiety, which can often impact tinnitus perception.
Sound Therapy Strategies
Sound Generators: We may recommend devices that produce gentle, pleasant sounds (like white noise, nature sounds, or custom sounds). These sounds help to reduce the contrast between your tinnitus and your environment, making your tinnitus less noticeable.
Combination Devices (Tinnitus Sound Generator/Hearing Aids): If you experience hearing loss along with tinnitus, we can provide combination devices that function as both hearing aids and tinnitus sound generators. These devices amplify meaningful sounds while also providing sound therapy, helping to reduce the contrast of your tinnitus. We may also be able to reprogram your current hearing aids to function as combination devices, optimizing them for both hearing and tinnitus management.
Environmental Enrichment: We’ll discuss ways to add more diverse and interesting sounds into your daily surroundings.
Personalized Sound Therapy Apps: Utilizing digital tools to create custom sound environments for relaxation and tinnitus management.
Cognitive & Behavioral Support
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Tinnitus: We offer CBT specifically designed to help you change the way you think about and react to your tinnitus. This therapy focuses on identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and emotional responses associated with the sound, leading to reduced distress and improved coping skills.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Learning practices like deep breathing and mindfulness to help reduce stress and its impact on your tinnitus. Our focus is on helping you change your reaction to tinnitus, not just the sound itself.
Advanced Tinnitus Therapies
Lenire® Bimodal Neuromodulation: We are a certified Lenire provider. This innovative, non-invasive treatment involves precisely calibrated tones delivered through headphones combined with gentle electrical stimulation of the tongue. Research shows that Lenire can effectively reduce the severity of tinnitus for many individuals by helping the brain reorganize its pathways.
Take the Next Step Towards a Quieter Life
Living with persistent tinnitus can be challenging, but effective management and relief are achievable. Our experienced doctors at Capital Institute of Hearing & Balance are here to work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that helps you:
Reduce the impact of tinnitus on your daily life.
Improve sleep quality and concentration.
Decrease feelings of anxiety, stress, and frustration related to tinnitus.
Enhance your overall quality of life and well-being.
Regain a sense of control.
Ready to Explore Your Options for Tinnitus Relief?
Living with persistent tinnitus can be challenging, but effective management and relief are achievable. Our experienced doctors at Capital Institute of Hearing & Balance are here to work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that helps you:
Schedule a Tinnitus Evaluation
Call us: 240-670-1200