Tinnitus Causes and Treatment Options

Tinnitus isn’t a Disease

Tinnitus, a common problem characterized by ringing, clicking, buzzing, humming, swooshing, or hissing in one or both ears and effects 30 to 50 million Americans.

It’s a symptom of an underlying health issue. The most common causes are:

Hearing loss
An ear obstruction (earwax, congestion, foreign object)
Sinus pressure
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues
Prescription drugs (short-term side effect)
A balance problem

If you suddenly experience tinnitus, stay calm — it’s likely caused by a non-threatening health factor you’re already aware of.

Hearing Aids and Sound Therapy for Tinnitus Treatment

Hearing aids are not only for treating difficulty hearing, but also tinnitus.

Most people say they notice their tinnitus less when they’re wearing hearing aids.
Hearing aids can allow you to hear and communicate more easily, which can:
- Reduce listening effort and stress (which can worsen tinnitus)
- Make it easier to have conversations
- Reduce isolation
- Improve participation in activities that you enjoy
Sound therapy (the use of comforting and soothing sounds) can be a part of your customized hearing treatment plan and hearing aid programming.
In some cases, patients without significant hearing loss may benefit from hearing aids programmed with low/ no amplification and sound therapy only.

Peoria ENT works with various hearing aid manufacturers to offer you a choice of hearing aid and tinnitus technology as part of a personalized strategy to improve your quality of life, as well as that of your loved ones.

Tinnitus Behavioral Management Options

Current estimates suggest that one half to three-quarters of people with severe tinnitus experience depression, anxiety, or some other negative emotions. A trained behavioral therapist can often help neutralize the negative emotions that come with bothersome tinnitus. There are behavioral and educational treatment programs for tinnitus management.

Peoria ENT are not mental health providers; however, we understand the important connection between tinnitus and mental health. We can help you find Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) providers and/ or offer self-guided tools to help reduce the emotional impact of your tinnitus on your quality of life. There are 2 modalities:

In-person Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a trained behavioral health therapist. We will refer you to local, unaffiliated- licensed therapist.

Costs will vary by frequency and duration of treatment plan fees and number of office visits, as well as insurance coverages, depending on the number of sessions.
Time investment- typically one hour per session, with number of required sessions determined by you and your therapist.

E-learning: Mindfulness Bases Tinnitus Stress Relief developed by Jennifer Gans, PsyD, a clinical psychologist specializing in the psychological impact of deafness and hearing on well-being. The 8- week, prerecorded online course is self-paced.

Register directly at https://mindfultinnitusrelief.com/ at the cost of $225.
Time investment: 1 hour per week to watch the pre-recorded course. Daily practice of mindfulness exercises over 8 weeks.

if your tinnitus is causing you distress, getting help is crucial. If you’re in crisis or thinking of harming yourself, call 911 immediately. If you depression and/or anxiety is overwhelming, call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. Or go to https://www.nowmattersnow.org/ for help.