Tinnitus

Tinnitus and Hyperacusis

Tinnitus is ringing, buzzing, or sound in the ears, a condition that can negatively impact your quality of life. In some cases, it may interfere with concentration and sleep and can even lead to depression or increased anxiety.

If you’re troubled by sounds within your ear canal, the professionals at Soundwave Hearing Care can help with assessment and treatment. Our extensive range of services provides all your hearing needs under one roof. We provide hearing care in Alberta for your entire family. Contact us today to make an appointment with a licensed audiologist and hearing aid practitioners.

Specialist placing headphones on a patient for a tinnitus test.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a condition that causes you to perceive sound that has no external source. It interferes with the way sound is transmitted from the ear to the brain. While often described as a “ringing in the ears,” people also experienced it in other forms. The volume of the perceived noise can vary with the individual, from barely perceptible to debilitatingly loud.

Every person with tinnitus experiences it differently, in both volume and quality. The type of sound can vary from person to person, and some may even experience it as a sound that changes or swirls. Examples of tinnitus sounds are hissing, roaring, whistling, chirping and clicking. Tinnitus may even cause you to hear musical tones.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus may have several possible causes, but it’s usually associated with the outer, middle or inner ear. It’s a symptom of some underlying conditions, such as ear injury, trauma or hearing loss. Even exposure to loud sounds or earwax buildup can contribute to tinnitus. It may also be associated with a disorder in the nervous system.

In most cases, tinnitus is related to abnormal neurological activity in the part of the brain called the auditory cortex. If something occurs to impede sound transmissions to your brain, your neural circuits may respond with abnormal activity. Your brain then attempts to interpret this activity as sound.

Abstract head silhouette with a sound wave for tinnitus.

What’s the Tinnitus Cycle?

Audiologists use the term “tinnitus cycle” to refer to the worsening of tinnitus through a self-reinforcing loop of symptoms. From its onset, a minor case of tinnitus might easily be masked by general background noise in your environment. You may only become aware of the tinnitus-induced sound when you’re in a quiet space.

Some people with tinnitus find it so distracting that they become hyperaware of the noises they hear, to the point that it disturbs their daily life. This added stress can amplify the sound they perceive. In some cases, tinnitus may cause a person to become hyper-sensitive to natural sounds in their environment, a condition called hyperacusis.

What Tinnitus Treatment is Available?

When it comes to how to cure tinnitus, there’s no single solution. However, the condition is treatable. In some cases, the underlying problem causing your condition may subside or resolve, and then the tinnitus will go away on its own.

Our licensed and specially trained audiologists and hearing aid practitioners can evaluate your condition and offer therapeutic strategies. At Soundwave Hearing Care, we offer Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), a specialized program customizable to your unique need. A TRT-certified audiologist will help you improve your quality of life by guiding you to identify and avoid symptom triggers. Contact us today to schedule a tinnitus consultation and evaluation.

When Should I Worry about Tinnitus?

In addition to the strange sounds, you may have discharge from your ears; in this situation, you may have an ear infection requiring antibiotic treatment. Dizziness or nausea accompanying your tinnitus may indicate a serious medical condition. If you experience a pulsing sound in your ears, like the sound of your heartbeat, you may have a cardiovascular disease that requires immediate treatment.

Do You Have Tinnitus?

If you have tinnitus, don’t worry. In most cases, tinnitus isn’t linked to life-threatening conditions. Your tinnitus may resolve on its own, but don’t assume it’s not treatable. Seek professional treatment if your condition has persisted longer than one week, even if it’s not overly disruptive. An audiologist and hearing aid practitioner can work with you to develop the tools to naturally control your tinnitus or increase your sound tolerance and significantly improve your quality of life.