Haven’t we all experienced that ringing in the ears every once in blue moon? It feels like a ringing when nothing around actually is. This sound is called Tinnitus. Many of those who experience it, experience it in the night when they are trying to hit the sack. In rare cases, the sound might seem to sync with the heartbeat. There are times when a patient might complain about perception in centre of head or back of the head. Tinnitus can also have adverse effects on their daily lifestyle. The consistency of the condition results in lack of sleep, headache, dizziness, unable to concentrate on work, noise irritation, hyperacusis, depression, etc.
As one would imagine, it is often linked to hearing loss. However, it doesn’t cause loss of hearing. A lot of cases of people with tinnitus condition never face any difficulty in hearing while in a few cases, the patient become acutely sensitive to sound for which they have to take steps to muffle or mask the external sounds.
What to do for tinnitus?
There are several treatments available which can make tinnitus less bothersome. Patients need to go through several treatments as one treatment might not work. Trying several combinations of techniques will help in understanding which is better for the patient.
Neuromodulation Therapy offers instant relief. It takes up 20 minutes two to three times a day. Neuromodulation Therapy has a success rate of 90 to 95 per cent. Within few days of treatment, patients can observe the improvement in headache, dizziness, hyperacusis, heaviness etc. Sounds start to decrease and improve patient’s listening.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy involves cognitive restructuring and relaxation techniques are used for changing the way patients think and respond to tinnitus. It is a short-term therapy. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: The main components of therapy include individual counselling and sound therapy.
There are masking devices which are worn like hearing aids and produces low-level white noise. It reduces tinnitus perception and also produces residual inhibition. Depending upon the tinnitus type, symptoms will come and go with time. Factors like diet, stress level and noise exposure can worsen the condition.
