Tinnitus refers to ringing or other noises in your ears. An estimated 10% or 15% of Americans suffer from constant tinnitus. Most of these individuals do not seek help for tinnitus, as they believe there is no relief. About half of tinnitus sufferers are not bothered by it, however the other half say that their tinnitus significantly affects various areas of their life, including sleep, communication and concentration. Approximately 1% note that the tinnitus impacts their life so much that it affects their ability to function on a day to day basis. Simply understanding tinnitus and how it occurs can help most people reduce their anxiety about it. Because the majority of individuals suffering from tinnitus also have hearing loss, hearing aids are often the first step in reducing awareness of tinnitus.

For those in whom hearing aids are not enough, Dr. Smith offers the Neuromonics tinnitus device and combination tinnitus/hearing aid devices.

The University of Iowa- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery provides the following information on coping strategies for tinnitus. Visit their website click here.

University of Iowa Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.

There are several treatments that can help people cope with their tinnitus. These include:

• Counseling
• Sound Therapy
• Hearing Aids
• Psychological Therapies
• Medications
• Things You Can Do

Counseling

Tinnitus often affects the patient's emotional well-being, hearing, sleep, and concentration abilities. Strategies for these four areas are discussed in detail.

Sound Therapy

Most patients report that the presence of background noise or music is helpful.

These sounds can:

• Partially mask the tinnitus, when background sound mixes with the tinnitus, but the patient is still able to hear the tinnitus
• Totally mask the tinnitus, when background sound covers up the tinnitus completely
• Reduce its loudness (while still hearing the tinnitus)
• Distract the patient from attending to the tinnitus

The types of sounds often used in sound therapy include:

• Broadband noise (heard as "sssshhhh"). Many patients report that it is easier to listen to the noise of a "ssssshhhh" sound than it is to listen to their tinnitus.
• Music, usually soft, light, background music (e.g., classical baroque, simple piano music)
• Sound produced particularly for relaxation or distraction (e.g., waves lapping against the shore, raindrops falling on leaves-sometimes these are combined with light music)

There are several different devices that produce these sounds:

• Wearable devices that resemble hearing aids
• Wearable devices with earphones or insert earphones (portable cassette or CD players)
• Non-wearable devices that include radios, tape players, compact disc players or sound generators specifically produced for relaxation or tinnitus. Some are meant to be used at the bedside with timers and can include many different sound types.
• Sound therapy does not have to be used all the time. It is possible to obtain a noise generator and a hearing aid in the same wearable device.

Hearing Aids

Some patients with tinnitus also have a hearing loss and can benefit from a hearing aid. Better communication reduces stress, which could reduce tinnitus. Hearing aids also amplify background noise, and many tinnitus patients report that their tinnitus is better when they listen to low levels of background noise. See Phonak hearing aid styles at www.phonak.com

Psychological Therapies

• Cognitive Behavior Modification. This approach helps you to talk about tinnitus in a reasonable fashion, and to plan and carry out trials to change the way you think about tinnitus and react to it.
• Relaxation Therapy. There are many relaxation techniques, for example using recorded soft music or biofeedback, which can help patients relax when they are particularly bothered by their tinnitus.

Medications

Although medications generally do not cure tinnitus, they can be helpful in reducing stress and in getting to sleep.

Things You Can Do

There are many very good self-help books for tinnitus, including the following:

• Davis, P. Living with tinnitus. Rushcutters Bay, N.S.W.: Gore & Osment; 1995.
• Hallam R.S. (1989). Living with tinnitus: Dealing with the ringing in your ears. Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, Thorsons; 1989.
• Henry JL, Wilson PH. Tinnitus: A self-management guide for the ringing in your ears. Boston: Allyn and Bacon; 2002.
• Saunders J. Tinnitus: What is that noise in my head? Auckland, NZ: Sandalwood Enterprises; 1992.
• Slater R, Terry M. Tinnitus: A guide for sufferers and professionals. London: Croom Helm; 1987.
• Tyler RS. (Ed). The Consumer Handbook on Tinnitus. Auricle Inc., Sedona; 2008.
• Consult your audiologist to discuss a variety of counseling and sound therapy options to improve your hearing and change your reactions to your tinnitus.

For additional information on tinnitus contact the American Tinnitus Association at www.ata.org or the American Speech Language Hearing Association www.asha.org/public/hearing/disorders/Tinnitus.htm