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TINNITUS RELIEF: Does it Exist?
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
YOUR HEARING
Tinnitus( pronounced TIN-ah-tuss or tah-NIGHT-us) is one of the most common issues associated with hearing loss. Tinnitus is often referred to as“ ringing in the ears.” The sound that is heard actually varies from person to person. According to the American Tinnitus Association( ATA), an estimated 50 million Americans experience tinnitus to some degree. The tinnitus may interfere with an individual’ s work performance and his / her personal relationships with family members, friends and neighbors. This can ultimately reduce quality of life significantly.
Although there is no exact known cause for tinnitus, researchers have found numerous possible sources. Tinnitus has been found to be strongly associated with hearing loss. Another possible cause for tinnitus is exposure to loud noises on a regular and ongoing basis. Many of us have experienced this ringing temporarily after a concert or loud event, but after a short period of time our ears are able to heal on their own and return to normal. With prolonged exposure to loud noise over time, however, the ear does not have the opportunity to heal itself and the problem becomes permanent, and may also cause hearing loss to occur.
Diseases and health conditions such as cardiovascular problems, autoimmune diseases, ear and sinus infections, and head or neck trauma or jaw misalignments have all been tied to possible causes of tinnitus. A simple buildup of wax in the canal may also cause temporary tinnitus and when removed safely by a physician, the tinnitus diminishes. Lastly, medications such as chemotherapy drugs, high-dose antibiotics and even aspirin can cause tinnitus symptoms.
BIG NEWS IN HEARING DEVICE TECHNOLOGY
Regardless of the high prevalence of tinnitus, only a modest number of people contact their physician or audiologist for help. Perhaps this is because there is a widespread belief that tinnitus is incurable and therefore untreatable. Inadvertently those patients associated to the belief that tinnitus cannot be helped have also chosen not to pursue help for their hearing loss affiliated with the tinnitus. The negative effect of untreated hearing loss has been documented quite clearly in the literature. Studies have shown untreated hearing loss to be linked to such qualities as irritability, anger, fatigue, tension, stress, depression, withdrawal, loneliness, impaired memory, an inability to learn new tasks, and diminished psychological and overall health. Furthermore, it would only stand to reason that individuals suffering from untreated hearing loss and tinnitus would be at an even greater risk for these types of problems.
For individuals with both hearing loss and tinnitus, wearing hearing aids has been shown to be effective in reducing the awareness of the tinnitus. The tinnitus does not go away, but instead, by introducing amplification, the patient is more aware of the sounds of the environment and no longer focused on the tinnitus. Improved communication through amplification reduces stress, also making it easier to cope with tinnitus. Although hearing aids cannot cure it, they can provide some relief in most cases.
At Eartique we provide hearing instruments that are equipped with unique sound therapy tools to help with tinnitus management. These hearing aids include a ZEN Program( relaxing music programming), which is designed to help patients cope with their tinnitus rather than mask it.
The audiologists at Eartique are trained to assess your hearing, and provide you with a comprehensive solution to your hearing loss. If testing determines there is a hearing impairment, our staff will work with you and family members to devise an individualized treatment plan. We will discuss the various amplification options available to you, such as daily wear or extended wear hearing devices, to determine optimal benefit and comfort of fit. Lastly, we will provide you with the follow-up care necessary to keep you hearing your best. Come in today and let us help you improve your quality of life.
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Debra L. Greenberger is the owner of Eartique. She received her master’ s degree in audiology( hearing science) from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and she is certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association. Debra has been diagnosing hearing loss and fitting hearing aids for over 25 years.
Allison L. Chase, Au. D., CCC-A, earned her Master of Arts degree in audiology from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in 2004. She completed her clinical doctorate in audiology from Salus University in 2008. Allison is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and has been practicing in the field for seven years.
This Industry Insight was written by Leslie A. Dunst, MS / CCC-A, Clinical Audiologist. Leslie has enjoyed providing diagnostic testing and rehabilitative services for over 25 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in speech pathology and audiology, and her Master of Science degree in audiology from West Virginia University. Leslie is also certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Her diverse background spans three states( Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania) and includes private practice, ENT offices, and clinical and hospital settings. Leslie is dedicated to providing quality service to her patients and committed to help improve their quality of life by helping them to hear their best. She resides in Peters Township with her husband and 14-year-old son.
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