The AudioNotch Tinnitus Treatment Blog

Please note: the following information does not constitute professional medical advice, and is provided for general informational purposes only. Please speak to your doctor if you have tinnitus.

Tinnitus is characterized by a ringing sound in the ears, but it may also be heard as a buzzing, whirring, chirping or other repetitive sound. The sound may be mild and bothersome, or it may be so loud that it is debilitating. Tinnitus is most commonly associated with hearing loss, such as hearing loss related to damage to the ear drums or other parts of the auditory system. However, tinnitus without hearing loss is possible, and it often requires special treatment for the best results.

The Cause of Tinnitus
The cause of tinnitus without hearing loss is not entirely understood. While some people will develop tinnitus as a result of hearing loss caused by damage to the ears, others will develop it without hearing loss and without an event that caused damage to the ears. The individual simply begins to hear sounds one day for no apparent reason. The audiograms that measure hearing loss do not report hearing loss in any range as well. However, it is important to note that audiograms are not foolproof, and they do not measure all types of hearing loss. Particularly, they do not measure loss related to the high volume threshold. Therefore, what appears to be tinnitus without hearing loss may actually be tinnitus with hearing loss at a threshold that is not measured by audiograms.

Common Treatment Options
Many people who think that they have tinnitus without hearing loss are not certain how to proceed with treatment, but the fact is that the tinnitus may actually be related to hearing loss. Therefore, proven effective treatments for tinnitus with hearing loss, such as tonal therapy with headphones, may be effective. This is a type of therapy that will train your brain to essentially tune out tones that you are hearing repetitively. It is effective both with and without noticeable hearing loss.

Tinnitus can be a bothersome condition to have, and for some people, it can be so irritating that it interferes with their ability to work and to have personal relationships with friends and family members. While it may seem as though there is not an effective solution available, particularly if there is no apparent cause for the tinnitus, rest assured that there may be tonal therapy or other solutions that you will respond well to. You simply have to try out a few different treatments to find the one that works best for you.