That annoying sound only you can hear…

Tinnitus is surprisingly common — about 10% of people experience it all the time.

Although it can’t be cured, you can take control of it to significantly minimise its impact.

Tinnitus often goes hand-in-hand with hearing loss. An estimated 80% of people who suffer from tinnitus also experience some degree of hearing loss, though they may be unaware of it. Tinnitus can have a major impact, bringing stress, anxiety, anger and even sleep loss.

Natural aging process

Sudden impact noises

Injuries to head or neck

Exposure to loud sounds

Emotional distress

Reaction to medication

It is still uncertain exactly how tinnitus begins, but it can result from a variety of causes, just as hearing loss does. It can also occur for no apparent reason.

Although the causes appear to vary, experts suspect that in many cases tinnitus results from damage to hair cells in the inner ear. Experts believe that the brain sometimes misinterprets the reduced signals from the ear, resulting in a perception of sound — tinnitus — that isn’t really there.

Can I treat my tinnitus?

There are many ways to take control of your tinnitus and reduce its impact on your life, although your tinnitus may not go away entirely. Everyone has a unique experience of tinnitus, so a hearing care professional can help you manage your particular symptoms using a combination of education, counselling and sound therapy.

Wear hearing aids

Listen to music or nature sounds

Think positively

A healthy diet

Relaxation and mindfulness

Maintain good sleep practices

The first step towards taking control of your tinnitus is to consult a professional, so that together, you can find the treatment plan that will work for you.

How are hearing aids and tinnitus related?

Hearing aids are beneficial for more than 80% of people who have tinnitus.

The more you hear, the less you may notice your tinnitus. With hearing aids, your brain
has other sounds to listen to, making your tinnitus less noticeable.

Remember

Modern hearing instruments have great new technology that may help alleviate the effects of tinnitus. They are no longer just for people with a hearing loss!