Hearing loss
Figures from the US and UK indicate that one out of seven Europeans does not have full hearing and one out of ten hears so poorly that a hearing instrument would help.
The Maastricht report on hearing impairment, which was published in 1999, estimates that only about 9 million out of 37 million hearing-impaired people have sought help, and that only 5 million in the EU actually use hearing aids.
The degree of hearing loss varies from person to person
Between the two extremes of hearing well and hearing nothing, there are many degrees of impairment. The terms used to describe the degree of hearing loss are mild, moderate, severe and profound. Most hearing losses are mild to moderate.
For further information on the impact of hearing loss on the individual and society go directly to the non-commercial web site www.hear-it.org.
Taken from Phonak Hearing Systems
Tinnitus
Tinnitus, pronounced either “tin-NITE-us” or “TIN-it-us”, is a constant or intermittent sound heard in the ears and/or head, often described as ringing, roaring or buzzing. The tinnitus population is a large one. Most statistics show that 50 million American adults have tinnitus, 12 million of whom suffer its effects.
What causes tinnitus? The most prevalent KNOWN cause of tinnitus is noise exposure, but it is one we can control. As the noise in our world becomes more blaring (for example movie theatres, and sports arenas) more people complain of tinnitus. The majority of cases, however, have no known cause. Other contributors, triggers or conditions associated with tinnitus are aging, ototoxic drugs, head or neck trauma, otoschlerosis, Meniere’s disease, TMJ disorders, allergies and others.
Tinnitus is NOT a disease. It is a symptom that, similar to pain, headache, or fever, can vary in severity and can affect people’s lives to varying degrees. Frequently, tinnitus is accompanied by decreased sound tolerance and hearing loss. Decreased sound tolerance is known as hyperacusis. Many people with tinnitus, also have hyperacusis.
Where is the tinnitus produced? Tinnitus is likely triggered in the cochlea or the organ of hearing in the inner ear. In most cases, tinnitus is associated with hearing loss. One theory of tinnitus is called the “neurophysiological" model of tinnitus. This model portrays tinnitus as a problem involving various brain structures – not just the hearing system. In other words, tinnitus is triggered in the cochlea (the organ of hearing) , but produced in the brain. Thousands of hair cells reside in the cochlea and when they are damaged, the brain reacts to that damage and generates the tinnitus. Tinnitus is not just an “ear thing”, it is also a “brain thing”. Many people with tinnitus will exhibit normal hearing if tested by an audiologist. This is good news. However, if the person experiences tinnitus, it is generally an indication of damage to the hair cells in the cochlea, even though it may not yet show up on a hearing test. For many, tinnitus is a wonderful warning sign that they need to protect their hearing from loud noise in order to protect that hearing from further damage. Not only are the ear and hearing centers of the brain involved in tinnitus, but also the emotional system and the autonomic nervous system. As you can see, tinnitus is very complex.
What causes tinnitus to be worse one day from another? Fortunately, tinnitus is no more than a nuisance for the majority of people who have it. However, when tinnitus is severe, it can cause loss of concentration, sleep problems, and psychological distress. It can also make a deteriorating hearing condition or balance disorder appear worse. Tinnitus can fluctuate from day to day, and even from hour to hour. For some individuals, excessive use of alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, stress and aspirin can make the tinnitus worse. To make matters worse, the medical community often tells the tinnitus patient that there is “nothing that can be done” and that they “need to learn to live with it”. Emotionally, this comment causes the patient to think about their tinnitus and feel helpless about something that is very intrusive in their life. This vicious cycle then continues and increases the levels of annoyance and affect on a person’s quality of life.
Since the dawn of human existence, nutritional supplements, herbs and phytonutrients have been used to heal. 40% of Americans have used some form of complementary integrative medicine to treat a wide variety of chronic conditions. This paradigm shift to alternative forms of therapy is gaining acceptance for many reasons including patient’s dissatisfaction with conventional medical care, which is perceived to be too intent on curing rather than preventing disease, and the fact that prescription medicines have many side effects. Conversely, the conventional western physician is typically skeptical of these practices because of the lack of double-blind randomized placebo-controlled studies.
Altering one's diet has been shown to improve tinnitus in some patients. Many patients with tinnitus report that certain supplements seem to have a variable benefit in reducing their symptoms. Nutrient supplementation to treat tinnitus has been extensively studied. The following have generated the most interest and support: magnesium, calcium, potassium, lipoflavonoids, B vitamins, copper, selenium, zinc, and magnesium. Herbal remedies for this ailment include Ginkgo biloba, and black cohash. Acupuncture, hypnosis and stress reduction are also reported to be beneficial by some.
Many of these herbs and other alternative treatment regimens lack solid medical evidence in the form of double-blind research experiments, which would legitimize the utilization of these non –conventional treatments. Just because a product is “all natural” does not make it safe. Caution, common sense and self-education are critical when considering alternative therapies.
Hyperacusis
Hyperacusis can be described as reduced tolerance to normal everyday noise and sound. This disorder is seriously debilitating and affects ones quality of life. It often has a very negative impact on one's career, relationships, social life etc.
To a hyperacusis sufferer the everyday sounds and noises that most of us do not even notice are unbearable. It would appear as if the volume has been turned up too high. It is not all noises or sounds, and in some instances only certain noises cause this unbearable sensitivity. Tinnitus is accompanied by hyperacusis in about 40% of the cases. Hyperacusis is a decreased tolerance of sound and can be a serious problem. Some patients experience hyperacusis without tinnitus.
Hyperacusis is often caused by damage to the cochlea, which can be a result of exposure to loud noise such as rock concerts, discos, shooting, fireworks, heavy machinery etc. Other causes include head or facial injury, dental surgery, ear wax removal, ear and chest infections.
A modification of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy can restore totally or partially the normal level of sensitivity to sound.
Neuromonics has also proven very effective at addressing reduced sound tolerance (see testimonials).
Soft and sensitivity
There are two options for an initial appointment in the Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Clinic. If you are simply information gathering, a 30-minute consultation is an option. This is an opportunity for you to meet our staff and learn of the treatment options available. If you are interested in receiving individualized recommendations, we suggest you schedule a full 90-minute assessment. This assessment involves individualized testing and recommendations for you.
The Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Clinic offers both Tinnitus Retraining Therapy and Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatments. Products which provide sound enrichment and masking are also reviewed.
Soft Sound Sensitivity Syndrome is a term related to a special case of hyperacusis involving strong reactions to soft sounds. Very often these soft sounds involve bodily noises of others such as those that occur with lip smacking, eating, breathing and speaking. This type of hyperacusis often occurs around puberty and most often with girls.
Request appointment
For appointments or more information, call our main office at 952-831-4222 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
through Monday-Thursday, Friday 08:00 a.m. to 12:00 or complete an online appointment request form.