Recognizing Tinnitus Symptoms
Our Toronto based tinnitus clinics in the West End and Mid Town provide tinnitus testing, products, and therapy designed to help manage your condition.
Tinnitus is when you hear noises like ringing, buzzing, hissing, humming, or wind sounds in your ears without any outside source. It can impact one or both ears and is quite prevalent, affecting about 1 in 5 individuals.
Tinnitus itself is not a disease but a symptom linked to various underlying issues. In Canada, approximately 37% of adults, or 9.2 million people, experienced tinnitus last year. The cause can vary from underlying health conditions, hearing loss, excessive ear, ear infections, exposure to loud noises and more.
Our Tinnitus Testing & Treatment Process
During your first visit, our trained audiologist will have an in-depth discussion with you about your tinnitus experience. We will ask about the type of noise you hear, when it occurs, potential triggers, and any relevant medical history or medications.
We will then conduct a hearing test and a tinnitus matching test in a soundproof booth, where we play different sounds to replicate the ones you hear. This helps us understand the specifics of your tinnitus.
Based on the information from your consultation and assessment, we will diagnose the nature of your tinnitus. This includes identifying any underlying causes and how it affects your daily life.
We will create a tailored treatment plan to help manage your tinnitus. This may include sound therapy, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), or hearing aids with built-in masking features. Our goal is to reduce the impact of tinnitus and improve your quality of life.
Tinnitus Testing in Toronto
During your appointment, our trained tinnitus audiologist will discuss your tinnitus experience in detail. We will ask about the nature of the noise you hear, potential triggers, when the noise is most noticeable, and any pre-existing conditions or medications you might be taking. We will ask questions to help us understand your experience and how it impacts your life.
At our Toronto Tinnitus clinic, we will give you a hearing test and a tinnitus matching test in a soundproof booth. During the test, you will listen to different sounds with varying quality, intensity, and frequency. Together, we’ll try to replicate the sounds you hear. The insights gained from the questions and this test will guide us in creating a personalized treatment plan for you.
Treatments for Tinnitus
Following a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis, you can explore various treatments. Although there is no absolute cure for tinnitus, there are many treatment options that can be used to minimize the symptoms.
Tinnitus can have many causes, with hearing loss being one of the most common. Around 90% of individuals with some degree of hearing loss also experience tinnitus in the ear. For those with hearing loss, hearing aids or masking devices often help manage the condition.
If hearing aids aren’t suitable, alternatives like counseling and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) can be effective. Addressing the root causes is essential for managing and reducing symptoms.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy
Through tinnitus counselling we will give you lots of educational resources on tinnitus and help you understand what causes it for you.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy TRT is one variation of counselling. TRT involves counselling and sound therapy. It helps you become accustomed to the sound of your tinnitus gradually. The goal is to reach a point where you no longer focus on the ringing noise and it does not trigger a negative emotional response.
Habituation is a common experience in everyday life. For instance, when you first turn on a fan, the noise may be bothersome, but after some time, it fades into the background and becomes less noticeable.
Tinnitus Masking Devices
Hearing Aids for Tinnitus
For individuals experiencing both hearing loss and tinnitus, hearing aids can effectively manage both conditions. By amplifying the sounds you want to hear, hearing aids help divert attention away from the tinnitus.
Additionally, certain hearing aids can be programmed to counteract the internal sounds of tinnitus. These specialized hearing aids offer dual benefits: they enhance external sounds, making it easier to hear conversations and environmental noises, while simultaneously reducing the perception of tinnitus. This is achieved through built-in masking features that produce soothing background noises, such as white noise or nature sounds, which help mask the tinnitus.
Moreover, advanced hearing aids can be customized to match the specific frequencies and intensities of your tinnitus, providing a more tailored and effective relief. This personalized approach not only improves hearing clarity but also significantly diminishes the intrusive noise of tinnitus, leading to a better overall quality of life.
Our Audiologist is trained and certified in Widex Zen Therapy. In combination with sound therapy, the Zen Therapy app from Widex is a comprehensive tool designed to help patients manage their tinnitus. By combining soothing sounds, relaxation exercises, and counseling resources, the app aims to reduce the perception of tinnitus, reduce stress, and promote a sense of calm. Users can customize their sound environment with various Zen tones and nature sounds, making it easier to mask the tinnitus and focus on more pleasant auditory experiences.
The app also includes guided relaxation techniques and mindfulness exercises, helping patients cope with the emotional and psychological impacts of tinnitus. With regular use, the Zen Therapy app can significantly improve quality of life for tinnitus sufferers.