Tinnitus

Tinnitus is surprisingly common — about 10% of people experience it all the time.

Although it can’t be cured, you can take control of it to significantly minimise its impact. 

 

 

What is tinnitus?

It can be a ringing, buzzing, hissing or roaring sound, and may be temporary or permanent. This noise in your ears or inside your head is unique to you.

An estimated 80% of people who suffer from tinnitus also experience some degree of hearing loss, though they may be unaware of it. However, even though tinnitus often goes hand-in-hand with hearing loss, it is not a disease. Tinnitus is a symptom that can be caused by many things, and even begin for no apparent reason. But it can have a major impact, bringing stress, anxiety, anger and sleep loss. The first step towards taking control of your tinnitus is to consult a professional, so that together, you can find the treatment plan that will work for you.

The many causes of tinnitus

Tinnitus can originate anywhere between the inner ear and the brain and can be constant or intermittent, temporary or chronic.

It is still uncertain exactly how tinnitus begins, but it can result from a variety of causes, just as hearing loss does. However, it can also occur for no apparent reason.

  • Exposure to loud sounds
  • Natural aging process
  • Sudden impact noises
  • Injuries to the head and neck
  • Reaction to medication
  • Emotional distress or stress

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    Find out more about the causes of hearing loss

    Tinnitus and the brain

    When we hear, sound waves travel through the ear canal to the middle ear and then onto the brain. Hair cells in the inner ear transform the sound waves into electrical signals, which then travel to the brain. The brain translates these signals into meaningful information — the sound we hear.

     

    So what creates the perception of sound where there is none?

    Although the causes appear to vary, experts suspect that in many cases tinnitus results from damage to hair cells in the inner ear. Experts believe that the brain sometimes misinterprets the reduced signals from the ear, resulting in a perception of sound — tinnitus — that isn’t really there. You should always consult a physician or hearing professional if you are experiencing any symptoms of tinnitus.

    Learn how BrainHearing transforms the way you hear

    Contact an audiologist

    Can I treat my tinnitus?

    There are many ways to take control of your tinnitus and reduce its impact on your life, although your tinnitus may not go away entirely. Everyone has a unique experience of tinnitus, so a hearing care professional can help you manage your particular symptoms using a combination of education, counselling and sound therapy.

    Download guide to help you understand and manage your tinnitus

    Download guide

    Sound therapy relieves the symptoms of tinnitus

    Listening to sounds can be a helpful tool for managing your tinnitus. Adding pleasant sounds to the sounds you hear already can reduce the impact of tinnitus by helping you move your attention towards the sounds you want to hear, rather than the sound in your head. Compare it to listening to a single violin in a room. Alone, you can only focus on the violin, but if you add a symphony orchestra to the violin, it becomes less distinct and part of the overall sound.

    Learn more about Tinnitus SoundSupport

    Hearing aids that play relieving sounds

    Oticon hearing aids can help you take control of your tinnitus by playing a wide range of relief sounds like white noise and soothing ocean-like sounds. With Oticon hearing aids, you can discreetly control the sounds in your hearing aids using the Oticon Companion App for iPhone and Android.

    You can adjust the sounds until they give the relief you need — wherever you find yourself needing it. What’s more, you can wirelessly stream alternative tinnitus relief options, such as your favourite music, audio books, podcasts, or even relaxation guides.

    Learn more about Oticon hearing aids

    Discreet and handy control of relief sounds

    The Oticon Companion App gives users of Oticon hearing aids the ability to adjust their tinnitus relief sounds easily and discreetly.

    Read more

    Download the Oticon Companion App

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    • How our hearing works

      We hear with our brain – not with our ears. Get to understand the normal hearing process

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    • Tinnitus

      What is tinnitus, why do some people get it and what can be done to relieve the symptoms

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    • Getting help

      What to do when you suspect hearing loss, and the process of finding the right solution

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    • Find a hearing centre

      A hearing care professional can test your hearing and devise a treatment that suits you

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