tinnitus Evaluations & Management
Our audiologist at Chippendale Audiology is trained to perform tinnitus evaluations and help address your tinnitus and hearing-related concerns.
Tinnitus is the perception of hearing a ringing noise in one or both ears. Commonly known as “phantom noise” or “phantom hearing,” tinnitus isn’t actually caused by an external sound. In fact, other people cannot hear what people with tinnitus are hearing.
Our team is trained to perform tinnitus evaluations and create a personalized treatment plan to help manage tinnitus along with hearing loss.
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What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external source. People often describe it as:
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Ringing
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Buzzing
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Humming
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Hissing
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Clicking
The sound may be steady or come and go. It may affect one ear or both. It can range from soft and barely noticeable to loud and intrusive.
Common symptoms of tinnitus include:
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Persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears
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Trouble concentrating
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Sleep disturbances
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Emotional stress or anxiety
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Sensitivity to sound
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Frustration in quiet environments
Tinnitus is not a disease itself. It is a symptom. It may be related to hearing loss, noise exposure, ear conditions, certain medications, or other medical factors. That is why a full evaluation is always the first step.
How common is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is quite common, affecting about 15% to 20% of people in the United States. Tinnitus can occur at any age but it appears to be more common in older adults.
Classifications of Tinnitus:
Tinnitus can vary in pitch and intensity. It can be perceived in one or both ears. Below are the major classifications of tinnitus:
Vibratory or Pulsatile Tinnitus
Vibratory or pulsatile tinnitus is commonly caused by malformations or disorders of the blood vessels and arteries located near the ears. These abnormalities may include aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations which can be attributed to changes in the blood flow.
Non-vibratory Tinnitus
Non-vibratory tinnitus is caused by biochemical changes in the nerve mechanism responsible for hearing.
Subjective Tinnitus
Subjective tinnitus is the perception of sound without an acoustic stimulus and can be only heard by the patient. Most tinnitus cases fall into this classification. Otologic problems are the most common causes of subjective tinnitus.
Objective Tinnitus
Objective tinnitus can be heard by an examiner who is in close proximity to the patient or through a stethoscope placed over the patient’s external auditory canal. This type of tinnitus is very rare, accounting for 1% of total tinnitus cases reported.
Tinnitus Evaluations at Chippendale Audiology
For our tinnitus evaluation, we will start with a questionnaire to obtain a thorough medical history. This questionnaire will help us identify the severity of your tinnitus, its onset, and more. We will perform a comprehensive audiological assessment which will include additional testing to assess tinnitus concerns.
What’s next after a tinnitus evaluation?
After a tinnitus evaluation, the results will be thoroughly examined and explained to the patient. We provide evidence-based recommendations for managing patients with tinnitus. We offer a comprehensive approach to tinnitus management, including strategies and instructional counseling materials to mitigate functional and emotional health effects. By focusing on education, reaction, and improved overall quality of life, counseling intervention may promote more adaptive responses for tinnitus patients. We develop treatment strategies that are customized for individual patients.
Tinnitus Management Options
Lenire® is a non-invasive bimodal neuromodulation device designed specifically for tinnitus management. It combines customized sound stimulation delivered through headphones with gentle electrical stimulation of the tongue. Treatment is completed at home with guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.
Sound therapy uses external sounds to help make tinnitus less noticeable and provide relief in quiet environments. Options may include customized sounds, white noise, nature sounds, music, or other soothing audio. Sound therapy can be used on its own or as part of a broader tinnitus management plan.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) helps reduce the awareness and emotional impact of tinnitus by combining education, counseling, and sound therapy. The goal is to help the brain gradually become less focused on and bothered by tinnitus.
For individuals who have both tinnitus and hearing loss, hearing aids may be an important part of tinnitus management. By improving access to environmental sounds and speech, hearing aids can help reduce the contrast between tinnitus and the surrounding environment. Many modern hearing aids also include built-in sound therapy features that may provide additional tinnitus support.
Personalized Tinnitus Care in Cape Coral, FL
Tinnitus affects everyone differently. Our team at Chippendale Audiology can help you understand your options and develop a management approach that fits your individual needs. We are here to help you take the next step toward managing tinnitus.