![\"\"](\"https:\/\/entnova.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/iStock-510578766-e1569006312283-1280x643.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTinnitus appears in a variety of forms and is very prevalent in our modern\nsociety. As of 2008, it was estimated that one in five people in the United\nStates suffer from tinnitus and of that number 20 percent, or more than 7\nmillion, have tinnitus in a severe form. Some patients describe debilitating\nsymptoms of anxiety, sleep deprivation, exaggerated startle response,\ndifficulty concentrating and hyperarousal. In the audiology clinic, these are\ncharacteristics that are commonly seen in patients suffering from tinnitus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CAUSES OF TINNITUS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tinnitus is often a byproduct of hearing loss and caused by damage to the inner ear. However, there are many theories regarding the neural mechanisms that cause tinnitus. Some are based strictly on anatomical changes that occur within the organ of hearing, or the cochlea, while others are more comprehensive and include different changes of the somatosensory systems and the central nervous system. Thus, all tinnitus patients should be examined by an otolaryngologist<\/a> or otologist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most common causes of tinnitus is exposure to excessively loud\nsounds; not only the loud sounds of industry and the work place, but loud\nrecreational sounds as well. Since tinnitus is often exacerbated by loud\nsounds, all tinnitus patients are cautioned to avoid extremely noisy\nenvironments as much as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although there is no cure for tinnitus, many treatments have been developed that have shown great success in tinnitus relief<\/a>. The most successful tinnitus treatments focus on not only the actual sound that is heard, but the patient\u2019s reaction to that sound such as stress, anger and annoyance. In many cases, these emotional symptoms that occur are the most debilitating part of tinnitus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several treatment options available for tinnitus patients.\nResearch has revealed that all tinnitus patients are different and therefore,\nnot everyone will benefit from the same type of treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common treatment for tinnitus is the use of a hearing aid. Although\ntinnitus can be present in an individual with normal hearing, tinnitus is often\naccompanied by hearing loss. When a person is wearing a hearing aid, there is\nan increase in neural activity on the hearing nerve. This increase leads to\nmore sounds reaching the hearing centers of the brain, which results in better\nhearing. Research has shown that this increase in activity can also distract\nthe patient from the tinnitus, and while wearing the hearing aid the patient\ncan get some or sometimes even total relief from the sound in their ears. If a\npatient is suffering from hearing loss and tinnitus, this will often be the\nfirst attempt at treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If tinnitus relief is not achieved with a hearing aid alone, or if a patient\ndoes not suffer from hearing loss, another option for treatment is the Phonak\nTinnitus Balance feature in the Audeo hearing aids. It is a combination hearing\naid and noise generator that provides a means of sound enrichment. The goal of\nthis tinnitus management technique is to make the symptoms less intrusive and\ndistressing. The hope is that by providing supplementary noise we can help\nfocus the patient\u2019s attention away from their tinnitus. The tinnitus balance\nnoise generator is available in all levels of the Phonak Audeo Q hearing\ninstruments. Within the tinnitus balance program there are options of different\nsounds, and adjusting the characteristics of that sound to each patient\u2019s\nneeds. It is important to know that masking of tinnitus (arranging an external\nsound which covers-up the tinnitus) is not the concept behind this device. The\nresearch behind this device is the same as a hearing aid, creating more\nactivity on the hearing nerve and within the hearing centers of the brain. When\nthe use of a hearing aid by itself is not creating enough relief, using noise\nin the sound generator can help create the same relief from the tinnitus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another good option for treatment is the Resound TS device. It is also a\ncombination hearing aid and tinnitus sound generator. The device was developed\nwith the idea to try and break the vicious cycle of tinnitus causing stress,\nwhich exacerbates the tinnitus, which then creates more stress on the patient.\nThe sound generator is an ear level device that emits a soft broadband noise,\nwhich can be modified for each specific patient based on their tinnitus\ncharacteristics. It is important to know that masking of tinnitus (arranging an\nexternal sound to covers-up the tinnitus) is not the concept behind this\ndevice. The research behind this device is the same as a hearing aid, creating\nmore activity on the hearing nerve and within the hearing centers of the brain.\nWhen the use of a hearing aid by itself is not creating enough relief, using\nbroadband noise in the sound generator can help create the same relief from the\ntinnitus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ZEN program is integrated into an ear level hearing aid device, which\ncan be used along with normal amplification or by normal hearing individuals\nwith the ZEN only. Inspired by the relaxing effect of certain types of music,\nWidex developed Zen tones. Zen is a unique music program available in Widex\nhearing aids. Based on what is known as fractal technology, Zen plays random,\nchime-like tones that can be used for relaxation and making tinnitus less\nnoticeable. Your hearing care professional can adjust each Zen program\naccording to your preferences in terms of pitch, tempo and volume. Your hearing\naid can also be provided with different programs to suit varying situations and\npurposes. For some hearing aid users, the effect of using Zen is immediate, but\nfor most it will take some time. Your hearing care professional will help you\nset realistic goals and can adjust the Zen programs if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These treatments provide a combination of the most up-to-date research and\ntechnology in tinnitus. It is important for anyone with tinnitus to know that\nthere are treatments available. For more information on these devices, or if\nyou are interested in trying one of these options, please consult with your\naudiologist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Information provided by Phonak, GN Resound, and Widex <\/p>\n\n\n\nTREATMENT OF TINNITUS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
USE OF A HEARING AID<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
PHONAK TINNITUS BALANCE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
GN RESOUND TS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
WIDEX ZEN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
LINKS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n