Frequently Asked Questions
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Tinnitus is the experience of hearing sounds without an external source present. Although it is often described as a “ringing in the ears,” people may perceive tinnitus in many different ways, such as buzzing, humming, hissing, whistling, clicking, or rushing sounds. In less common cases, some individuals report hearing music or melodies. Tinnitus may occur temporarily or persist as a long-term chronic condition.
Tinnitus affects millions of people in the United States and is considered one of the most common auditory health concerns. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), an estimated 10% of U.S. adults experience tinnitus symptoms. For many, the condition is mild, while others experience persistent tinnitus that can significantly impact concentration, sleep, emotional well-being, and quality of life. Tinnitus is most often caused by hearing loss, though other causes may be involved as well, including congestion, ear wax, head and neck trauma, temporomandibular Joint Disorder, traumatic brain injury, ototoxic drugs, and other disease affecting the ear.
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Sound intolerance is an umbrella term used to describe difficulty tolerating everyday sounds that most people would consider normal or manageable. Individuals with sound intolerance may experience certain sounds as overwhelmingly loud, uncomfortable, emotionally distressing, or even painful. These conditions can significantly affect daily life, social interactions, concentration, sleep, and emotional well-being. Types of DST include:
Hyperacusis: physical discomfort caused by sound at levels that are comfortable for most people.
Misophonia: emotional reactions to sound.
Noise sensitivity: general reactivity or discomfort (annoyance or feeling overwhelmed) due to a perceived noisy environment.
Phonophobia: fear that a sound may occur that will result in discomfort, pain, or anxiety, or that will exacerbate an existing auditory disorder.
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There is no cure for these conditions. However there are many routes that can be taken in order to manage both tinnitus and sound intolerance, so that they don’t diminish quality of life. Common options for tinnitus and DST management include:
Hearing Aids (over the counter aids are usually not recommended for management of these conditions)
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): Counseling supplemented by sound therapy to help the brain habituate.
Tinnitus Activities Treatment (TAT): A counseling-based approach focused on reducing the impact to sleep, concentration, communication, and emotional wellbeing.
Progressive Tinnitus Management (PTM): A stepped-care tinnitus program developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs that combines education, sound therapy, and coping strategies.
Neuromodulation for Tinnitus: Various device-based methods to influence nervous system activity in an effort to reduce tinnitus perception. Lenire js the most common device for tinnitus intervention at this time. More peer-reviewed research is needed on success and effects of these options.
Behavioral Health Interventions: Cognitive-behavioral based counseling, mindfulness, and other therapies related to mental health have the strongest research support as tinnitus and DST interventions.
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The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) has a Patient Navigator on their website. Please check out:
https://ata.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Spring-2018-25.pdf
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The American Tinnitus Association offers a free, one-time, 15 minute consultation to provide self-help strategies, information on how to locate healthcare professionals, and information on research-based guidelines for tinnitus treatment and management. For more information, visit their website: