What Causes Tinnitus?
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Causes of tinnitus can be quite varied and do not necessarily involve the auditory system.
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Common CausesOne of the most common causes of tinnitus we see is for patients who have been exposed to very loud noise like at a concert. This will cause a temporary hearing loss and people may notice ringing in their ears. After a few days, this will usually subside. Repeated exposure to loud noise will however predispose a person to sustained tinnitus due to noise induced hearing loss. Other common causes of tinnitus include wax occlusion, middle ear pathology and age related hearing loss.
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Uncommon CausesSome of the more obscure and least likely ways of acquiring tinnitus include:
Some of these conditions can be quite serious and although are not common, medical intervention may be required. |
When to Seek HelpFor most people, tinnitus is not a sign that there is any major medical issue that needs looking at. However, the best way to allay your fears with regards to tinnitus (fear will make your tinnitus worse) is to have a thorough Audiological and Medical examination. This will involve a tinnitus assessment by an experienced Audiologist who specialises in tinnitus. An appointment with an ENT is also recommended to rule out any medical reason for your tinnitus.
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To book a Tinnitus Assessment, please call (08)6336 7170 or book online.
What is Tinnitus? How can we help?
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Tinnitus is described as a subjective sound that is usually not audible to others and is most often high pitched in nature. Most people are unaffected by tinnitus but for some, it can be debilitating. There are various approaches taken by Audiologists who are allied health professionals specifically trained to help patients manage their tinnitus. Often a holistic approach to treatment is required to overcome the highly transient nature of tinnitus.
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At Pristine Hearing, we implement evidence based best practice and feel that the best treatment for tinnitus is for patients to fully understand their condition so that they can recognize their role in the treatment process. A tinnitus program should also assess the patient's own beliefs about their condition and to challenge these when they are factually incorrect. Some beliefs can actually make tinnitus awareness worse for sufferers.
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A tinnitus therapy program at Pristine Hearing will often commence with a detailed understanding of your tinnitus. This includes understanding the impact it is having on your life, determining if there are any patterns of awareness, any precipitating factors that may be making your tinnitus worse like medication or a stressful life event, measuring the tinnitus pitch, assessing if you have an abnormal intolerance to otherwise tolerable sounds (hyperacusis) and identifying if there is any accompanying hearing loss or communication issues.
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Any tinnitus therapy program should impart proven tools and strategies for a patient to be able to self manage their tinnitus. Depending on severity, sound enrichment devices (also known as sound therapy) can also be setup to provide masking of one's tinnitus according to the tinnitus pitch and are usually therapeutic and relaxing in nature. If there is an accompanying hearing loss, a hearing aid is recommended as many patients find a reduction in their tinnitus awareness when amplification is introduced.
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To seek help and get on top of your tinnitus today,
call, email or book online. Rebates apply.
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