Have You Heard the Buzz on the Street?

Do you hear buzzing in your ears? What about ringing, hissing, whistling, or chirping?

If you’re hearing any of those sounds you may have tinnitus (TINih-tus). You’re not alone! It’s estimated that 10 to 15 percent of Canadians suffer from tinnitus,with 20 percent of those individuals seeking medical help. Tinnitus sufferers may find it difficult to hear, concentrate, read, relax, and/or sleep.

The good news is tinnitus is a treatable symptom, not a disease. Though there are over 200 reported causes, including some medications and disorders affecting the ears, metabolism, and cardiovascular system, tinnitus is most often associated with hearing loss due to noise exposure, aging, or trauma.Over 50 percent of people with tinnitus are also affected by hearing impairment.

So what can be done about tinnitus? There are a variety of management options available to help tailor treatment to your personal needs. With the proper combination of counselling and sound enrichment, tinnitus management can be very effective. Therapies can include tinnitus masking, tinnitus retraining, and tinnitus notch therapy — all of which are completely painless.

Great strides have been made with technology and tinnitus management strategies that allow for more personalization than ever before.No one should be told to just “live with it.”

Find out more by calling an audiologist part of the Ontario Association of Professional Audiology Clinics (OAPAC).