Ring, Ring, Roar! Tinnitus Education & Transformation

Tinnitus represents one of the most elusive mysteries facing audiologists, health care providers, and patients. It refers to an auditory perception not directly produced by an external sound. Tinnitus is commonly described as a “hissing, roaring or ringing.” It can range from high pitch to low pitch, consist of multiple tones or sound like noises (having no tonal quality at all). Tinnitus may be constant, pulsed or intermittent. It may begin suddenly, or may come on gradually. It can be perceived in one ear, both ears, or in the head. Tinnitus can be very mild, noticeable only in a quiet room, or it can become so loud and annoying the individual hears nothing else. While Tinnitus does not cause hearing disorders, it may accompany decreased hearing and other ear symptoms such as pressure, unsteadiness, or dizziness. 

Correcting treatable causes of Tinnitus (i.e., ear wax build-up, allergy, infection) may improve the condition. However, when the cause is unknown, or when head noises arise from within the cochlea, auditory nerve, or brain, treatment becomes more difficult. Most allopathic medications and surgical procedures have not been successful in relieving Tinnitus. When hearing loss exists, utilizing hearing aids will generally mask the head noises by stimulating the auditory nerve with environmental sound. Tinnitus exists in many individuals who have normal hearing and amplification is therefore not the best option for a large group of people. Because of the direct association between the hearing mechanism and the nervous system, tinnitus sufferers have been advised to avoid nervous tension, fatigue, and stimulants. Tinnitus patients are frequently left to suffer with limited alternatives or resources.