Hills District Independent August 2020 #62 August 2020 | Page 22

HEALTH & WELLBEING Buzzing, ringing, humming; why do some people hear a constant noise in their ears? with Daniel Fechner Ear Studio It is called ‘Tinnitus’ - the perception of a ringing or other type of sound and it can affect one or both ears. While most of us have anecdotally heard about tinnitus, it is often difficult for those who are not affected to fully comprehend the extent a ‘noise in your head’ can impact one’s day to day life. Overall, we distinguish between subjective tinnitus – the type that only the individual can hear and objective tinnitus – the type a practitioner can hear during an examination. The type of noise can range from a high-pitched ringing or buzzing to a low frequency roaring or humming. Some people describe it sounds like crickets or cicadas. Around 15-20 per cent of the population is affected by tinnitus, for some periodically and others permanently. For about 2 per cent of the population tinnitus can have a wide ranging and debilitating effect on life and it is important to make sure it is not simply dismissed but thoroughly investigated. Why only some people develop tinnitus is not very well understood. What is known though, is that stress, lack of sleep and especially noise exposure can trigger episodes of tinnitus. Often the symptoms get more severe the longer the stressful situation lasts. But there is also a multitude of other reasons and contributing factors to why someone would experience tinnitus. These include ear wax, blocked sinuses, medication, and pathological causes. The path to relief can also vary from one cause and person to another. But let’s look at it step by step. To start getting to the bottom of a person’s tinnitus origin it is helpful to know that tinnitus is not always a standalone condition but may be a signal of an underlying issue. A hearing care professional is a great place to start the investigation. One of the first steps when looking into tinnitus treatment options should be a consultation with tinnitus assessment. The results will pinpoint the degree of impact the tinnitus is having on which part of one’s life. For example, to what degree it affects the ability to rest or enjoy social settings. A comprehensive hearing assessment should also be part of this assessment as tinnitus is often but not necessarily related to hearing loss. Results may offer clues of the cause and potential treatment options. Some clinics specialise in tinnitus treatment and may offer further in-depth analysis. Depending on the result the hearing care professional may refer to a medical practitioner or might suggest a few “TINNITUS“ A COMPREHENSIVE HEARING ASSESSMENT Make a booking and take charge of your tinnitus! A 2 HOUR COMPREHENSIVE TINNITUS ASSESSMENT WITH REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE TINNITUS. “Don’t be satisfied with the answer “there is no cure” and investigate your option carefully and professionally. options to investigate. Dependent on the cause for the tinnitus and how everyone reacts to it the treatment can also be vastly different from person to person. Treatment options may include therapy by amplification with hearing aids or masking the tinnitus with external sounds. There are also a range of apps available - many of them free of charge. The better ones can offer a choice of soundscapes to enjoy and mask the tinnitus. Another way to learn to deal with tinnitus includes CBT, cognitive behavioural therapy. This is a process during which a practitioner, often a psychologist, will use the neuroplasticity of the brain to learn to accept, and therefore ignore the disrupting sound. While there is not one specific ‘cure’ for tinnitus there are a range of things that can be done to help and improve the situation significantly. A hearing care professional or GP is the best place to start on this journey to relief. Ear Studio is at Suite 9/60 Cecil Avenue, Lawton House Castle Hill. Phone: [phone] Email: daniel@earstudio. com.au or visit www.earstudio.com.au Business hours: Monday to Friday 9:00am – 6:00pm, Saturday by appointment, Sunday closed. Such consultation can give you an overview of the situation and a pathway to potential solutions that can help you reduce the impact of tinnitus. We work closely with GP’S,ENT’s and Neurologists to find the best possible solutions for our clients. FREE for eligible Pension Concession Card holders through the Hearing Services Program of the Australian Government. Please call us on 02 9159 6122 if you would like to discuss a tinnitus comprehensive hearing assessment. We will discuss the best possible option for you and try to serve you as well as we can. Did you know we also offer professional ear wax removal by micro-suction. A safe and effective method to remove ear wax. If you are looking for a practitioner that cares about you – you’re perfectly right at EAR STUDIO. Just give us a call to speak to us about your goals and what we can do for you. Significantly increased hygiene measures to keep you safe: Our Clinic is NOW OPEN with all hygiene measures in place to secure your safety. We are following the advice of medical experts and the Australian Government. We have consulted with a leading Australian infection control company and have adjusted our procedures to maximise the safety of our clients and our staff. Call Ear Studio 02 9159 6122 www.earstudio.com.au CASTLE HILL Suite 9 / 60 Cecil Avenue, Lawton House Phone [phone] Fax [phone] Email [email protected] Monday - Friday 9am to 6pm. Saturday by appointment only. “Proudly independent and locally owned” 22 ISSUE 62 // AUGUST 2020 www.hdinews.com.au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT