Audiologists at Harbor City Hearing Solutions provides hearing tests and tinnitus evaluations in Melbourne, FL.

Tinnitus evaluations are crucial in determining the underlying cause of tinnitus and identifying treatment options.

There are various types of tinnitus evaluations that may be performed, depending on the individual’s symptoms and medical history.

One common evaluation is a comprehensive hearing test, which measures a patient’s hearing abilities.

Other tinnitus evaluations may include imaging studies, such as CT scans or an MRI. These tests can be used to check for any abnormalities in the inner ear or brain.

Blood tests may also be performed to check for underlying medical conditions that may be causing tinnitus, such as thyroid problems or anemia.

Tinnitus evaluations can provide valuable data into the underlying causes of tinnitus and guide hearing care providers in developing personalized treatment plans.

How common is tinnitus?

Tinnitus affects about 15% to 20% of the population worldwide and is especially prevalent in older adults.

What exactly is tinnitus? This condition is when a person experiences ringing or hears other noises in one or both ears.

Most types of tinnitus aren’t caused by an external sound which means that only the person with tinnitus can hear it.

In some cases, tinnitus can also be heard by another person using a stethoscope. This type of tinnitus is known as objective tinnitus.

How is tinnitus diagnosed?

Tinnitus is typically diagnosed based on symptoms alone. However, in order for the symptoms to be treated, the type of tinnitus needs to be identified and any underlying condition(s) must be ruled out.

Can you pass a hearing test with tinnitus?

Tinnitus can affect hearing by making it more difficult to identify certain words and pitches during the hearing test. The good news is that audiologists are trained to conduct tests on patients who have tinnitus.

The key is to let the audiologist or hearing health specialist know that you have tinnitus before the hearing test is performed.

Common Causes of Tinnitus

Tinnitus can be caused by various factors and underlying conditions which may include:

Exposure to loud noises
Hearing loss
Earwax buildup, impaction or blockages
Abnormal bone growth in the ear
Head or neck injuries
Meniere’s disease
Benign tumor of the cranial nerve
Aging
Medication
Stress, anxiety or depression
Vascular disorders

Tinnitus Treatment Options

Sound Therapy

Sound therapy or acoustic therapy is one of the most common tinnitus treatments. Harbor City Hearing Solutions offers sound therapy for tinnitus where we help the brain to refocus and decrease the emotional impact of tinnitus.

Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are also a popular tinnitus treatment option and can be recommended even if the patient has no significant hearing loss. Why?

It’s because some hearing aids are equipped with tinnitus-masking features to help wearers block out the noise and provide much-needed relief from tinnitus. Of course, hearing aids can be used in collaboration with hearing loss treatment.

Harbor City Hearing Solutions provides a wide selection of hearing aids in Melbourne, FL.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

Tinnitus retraining therapy, also referred to as habituation therapy, attempts to retrain the brain to perceive tinnitus in a different manner.

TRT can also help tinnitus patients to cope with any emotional difficulties they may be experiencing, including stress, anxiety, depression, or anger.

Living With Tinnitus

Tinnitus is unique for each individual; some might be able to shrug it off and treat the sounds as passing noise, while others may feel very disturbed or annoyed by the sound.

Living a normal life with tinnitus is possible, with the right intervention and management techniques. Below are some tips on how to rise above tinnitus:

Avoid anxiety or stress

Stress and anxiety are considered as main triggers of tinnitus because they can stimulate an already sensitive auditory system. Learning some relaxing or calming techniques may help lower down tinnitus symptoms.

Getting enough rest and avoiding unnecessary fatigue may also help diminish the presence of tinnitus.

Stay away from nervous system stimulants

These include coffee (or anything with caffeine), alcohol, and smoking (nicotine). Generally, staying away from these stimulants, or lowering your intake of these stimulants, can promote an overall healthy lifestyle.

Use tinnitus maskers

Tinnitus is more noticeable when the surroundings are quieter. Masking the sounds of tinnitus can greatly reduce the amount of noise and make it less annoying. Hearing aids and sound devices that produce white noise or masking sound can help.

Join a support group

In cases like tinnitus, knowing that there are other people all over the world experiencing the same thing may provide some sort of comfort to a tinnitus patient. Getting the right support, motivation, and counseling can make a big difference.

Equipping oneself with the latest developments and innovations about tinnitus treatments is also a good way to better understand and handle one’s condition.