Home Page > Tinnitus & Hyperacusis
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What is tinnitus?  
Tinnitus is simply a term for noises which are heard "in the ears" or "in the head" - any buzzing,
ringing, whistling, hissing, pulsing or other sounds which do not come from an external source.
Tinnitus is not a sinister "condition".
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What causes tinnitus?  
Although tinnitus is often associated with a hearing loss, the presence of tinnitus does not
mean you are going deaf. There are a number of causes which may provide the initial trigger
to the tinnitus, including:
middle ear infection
dental or jaw problems
some medications
exposure to loud noises
inner ear damage
hearing loss
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The tinnitus itself will not cause a hearing loss or other illnesses. Nor does tinnitus prevent anyone
from not hearing something. Tinnitus may be the result of a mild hearing impairment. It is twice as
common in those with hearing loss as in those with normal hearing.
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The meaning of tinnitus sounds  
 

In 1953 a simple experiment was performed where 80 normally hearing and tinnitus free individuals were each placed in a sound proofed room for 5 minutes and asked to report on any sounds that they heard. 93% of them reported hearing sounds which were identical to those reported by tinnitus sufferers. They were in fact hearing as a sound the background electrical activity in the nerve cells of their hearing pathways - a background noise in their auditory system, just like a tape recorder with a blank tape playing. One might think of the tinnitus these people heard as 'the music of the brain'.

Research has shown that of those people who DO report hearing tinnitus about 85% do not find it problematical in any way (something tinnitus sufferers find very hard to believe!). There is no difference in the type of tinnitus in those people who are bothered by it and those who are not. The main difference is in how the tinnitus is perceived - "one man's music is another man's noise". The perception and loudness of tinnitus depends on whether the brain suppresses these sounds, or whether it amplifies them because of their importance as a real or potential threat. The "sufferers" perceive the tinnitus as a threat, or at least an annoyance, while most pay it no mind.

While fears associated with tinnitus may be unfounded, they are very real to those with the problem. Often these fears are enhanced by professional advice, such as "nothing can be done" about it, and that "you will always have it"! They are also not helped by sensationalist stories in the popular magazines about people being "driven crazy" by their tinnitus! They merely result in more worries for the person with the tinnitus!

  
   
I have tinnitus which is severely affecting my quality of life. Is there help?  
  The first step is to have a consultation with us at Hearing Solutions. We will conduct a full and comprehensive evaluation of your auditory system and tinnitus and discuss the options and expectations with you. A treatment program may be recommended. In this case, provided that you are willing to enter into a tinnitus management program a very reasonable expectation can be given you that your tinnitus will diminish to the point where it will no longer be a problem. The program involves a process called Tinnitus Retraining Therapy, which boasts an 80% success rate. The co-director of Hearing Solutions, audiologist Nolene Nielson, is one of the relatively few audiologists in Australia who has been personally trained by Prof Pavel Jastreboff, the internationally-renowned originator of this therapy.  
     
  What is hyperacusis?  
  Hyperacusis is a term to describe over-sensitivity or hypersensitivity in hearing. When the brain processes hearing information, and enhances the tinnitus signals, it may do the same thing with outside sounds, particularly those that "sound like" the tinnitus. This results in oversensitive hearing, or hypersensitivity. It is present in 60% of those who have troublesome tinnitus. However, it can also occur without tinnitus and in people with completely normal hearing.  
     
  Is there a cure for my hyperacusis?  
  In a word - yes! Again, we at Hearing Solutions are trained in the techniques to "cure" hyperacusis. Sometimes the results are achieved surprisingly rapidly. Again, the outcome is dependent on the willingness of the person to participate in the process.

If you are experiencing troublesome tinnitus or hypersensitivity to sounds we suggest you contact our office by phone: (07) 3832 4541, Fax: (07) 3829 1043, or email: info@hearingsolutions.com.au.