Tinnitus Treatment in Tulsa

Tinnitus can have a big impact on your well-being and everyday life. This persistent condition can be confusing, distressing, and overwhelming. Our team of hearing health professionals are here to help you find relief from tinnitus.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears when no external sound is present. Tinnitus can be a ringing, buzzing, or whistling noise, and is unique to each person. It’s a common problem and can be categorized into two main types:

Subjective tinnitus: The most common form where only the person experiencing it can hear the noise. It can be caused by auditory nerve problems or issues in the part of the brain that interprets nerve signals as sound.
Objective tinnitus: A rare form of tinnitus that can be heard during an ear examination. It may be caused by vascular anomalies or muscle contractions.

Tinnitus can be also classified as either acute (temporary) or chronic (ongoing). Your tinnitus may come and go throughout the day or the week, or it may be your constant companion day and night.

How Tinnitus Affects the Auditory System

Tinnitus can affect auditory processing by making it harder to distinguish real environmental sounds from phantom noises. It's often a symptom of an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, exposure to loud noise, or earwax buildup.

Signs I Might Have Tinnitus

Tinnitus sounds are typically described as ringing, buzzing, humming, roaring, whooshing, hissing, or whistling. These noises may vary in pitch and can be heard in one or both ears. Other signs of tinnitus can include significant distress, difficulty concentrating, or sleep disturbances caused by tinnitus sounds.

Tinnitus Treatment Options

While tinnitus can be a challenging condition to live with, you have a range of treatment options! At Gilbert’s Audiology and Hearing Aid Center Inc, we’ll help you explore your potential treatments to find the best solution for your specific needs. Here are some of the primary treatment options:

Hearing Problems

For those with tinnitus and hearing loss, hearing aids can be incredibly effective. They amplify external sounds, making the tinnitus less noticeable. Many also have built-in tinnitus management programs.

Sound Masking Devices

These devices produce white noise or other soothing sounds to help mask the tinnitus, making it less distracting. They can be stand-alone devices or incorporated into hearing aids.

Tinnitus Retraining Thereapy (TRT)

TRT combines sound masking with counseling to “retrain” the brain to perceive tinnitus in a less disruptive way. This approach aims to reduce the emotional impact of tinnitus.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a type of counseling that helps change the way you perceive and react to your tinnitus. It can improve your coping mechanisms and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression associated with tinnitus.

Medications

While there’s no specific medication to cure tinnitus, certain medications can help reduce the severity of symptoms or complications, such as anxiety or depression.

Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Reducing intake of certain substances like caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine can help manage tinnitus. Stress management techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and exercise, can also be beneficial.

Earwax Removal

If tinnitus is caused by a buildup of earwax blocking the ear canal, professional removal of the wax can reduce symptoms.

Do I Need Professional Help for Tinnitus?

If you are experiencing persistent tinnitus, it’s important to seek professional help, especially if the tinnitus:

Appears suddenly without an apparent cause
Presents with hearing loss or dizziness
Causes significant distress or disruption in your life

Although tinnitus can’t be cured, an audiologist or hearing health specialist can help you manage the condition. Early intervention and proper management can prevent tinnitus from getting worse and enhance your quality of life.

The Benefits of Professional Tinnitus Management

Working with a professional can significantly lessen the impact of tinnitus on your daily activities. Benefits include:

Reducing the impact of tinnitus: Therapies and treatments, such as sound masking devices and tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), can help make the tinnitus less noticeable.
Improving sleep and mental well-being: Proper management methods can ease the stress and annoyance of tinnitus, leading to better sleep and reduced anxiety.
Enhancing overall quality of life: When tinnitus is managed well, it can alleviate the disruptive effects, allowing you to live a more normal, productive life.

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221 S Florence Ave