Remember that you are not alone.

Tinnitus is a common symptom. In the United States alone, approximately 30 million people report having tinnitus. Thirteen million report having tinnitus without hearing loss. You are not alone!

Remember that the goal of treatment is not to completely abolish your tinnitus.

Although it may sound counterintuitive, tinnitus “treatment” will not necessarily make your tinnitus go away. Using education strategies as well as establishing a way to use sound in your favor, our goals are to help you:

Feel less stressed about your tinnitus.
Have fewer emotional reactions to your tinnitus.
No longer let tinnitus be at the forefront of your thoughts.
Remove the emphasis and subsequent effects tinnitus has on your day to day activities, such as concentration, work, or sleep.
Feel confident in your tinnitus strategies and tinnitus support system.
Use provided tools and feel more in control when your tinnitus is bothering you.

Using education as well as sound therapy, our goal is to work with you to feel more in control of your reactions to tinnitus without actually changing the perception of tinnitus itself.

Remember that your perception of tinnitus may change over time.

Tinnitus is a symptom associated with a variety of underlying sources. As the severity of these sources may change, so may your tinnitus. Keep in mind that emotions or other triggers such as stress or anxiety may make your tinnitus worse. Environmental aspects such as noise exposure or dietary choices may additionally make your tinnitus worse. Your tinnitus loudness or pitch may even change without any known cause.

Remember that you may need to develop a new plan to adapt to changes in your tinnitus.

Your tinnitus is subject to change over time or even day by day. With this, new tools or strategies may be needed to overcome the stress or bothers tinnitus causes. Don’t become discouraged! Remember that the sound plan you created is not set in stone -- new sounds may emerge that you view as soothing, distracting, or find suitable for a background. The environments that your tinnitus are bothersome in may also change. The great thing about a sound plan is that it can be changed and adapted toward new tinnitus symptoms. Utilize sound plan worksheets to create new tools for new challenges.

Remember if your tinnitus symptoms change or progress into any of the following, you may need medical attention.

Not all tinnitus or symptoms should be ignored. Contact your primary care physician should you experience any of the following:

Your tinnitus pulsates with your heartbeat.
Your tinnitus occurs in one ear only.
You have a sudden change in the loudness of your tinnitus without a known cause.
You have ear pain, drainage, or foul-smelling odor coming out of your ear.
You have a sudden episode of vertigo (the sensation of moving or spinning).
You have a weakness or paralysis of any muscles in your face.
You have a sudden, unexplained decrease in your hearing.
You have developed severe anxiety or depression.
You have a current plan to end your life and a way to do it.

If you are unsure you are experiencing any of your symptoms, contact your primary care physician or otolaryngologist for guidance.

Remember to protect your hearing from noise.

One of the known causes of tinnitus is damage to the hair cells in the inner ear. This damage can occur from high amounts of hazardous noise exposure without hearing protection. Loud noises can also make your tinnitus worse. Protect your ears! Be cautious when around loud noises and aim to keep volume levels at 50% or lower to ensure safe listening. There are many different types of hearing protection devices and each serves a different purpose. Talk with your audiologist to determine which device is the best for you.

Remember that your audiologist is here for you!

Just because your appointments are completed for now, doesn’t mean help is not available! Do not hesitate to contact your audiologist if further questions or issues arise with your tinnitus. We are happy to help and look forward to continuing working with you on your journey to tinnitus relief.

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Goals of Tinnitus Management

There are many methods for managing reactions to tinnitus. These methods are not intended to make your tinnitus quieter. They are intended to help you feel better - even if it’s just for a short time - without changing your tinnitus. The more you practice feeling better, the easier it will become to feel accept your tinnitus as it is. All of these methods have basically the same goals. They are meant to:

Feel less stressed about tinnitus
Have fewer emotional reactions to tinnitus
Almost never think about tinnitus
Feel like tinnitus has little effect on daily activities (concentration, work, sleep, etc.)
Feel like tinnitus is not much of a problem
Feel like there is no need for further help learning to manage tinnitus

Tinnitus Resources

Websites

American Tinnitus Association

The American Tinnitus Assocation’s core purpose is to promote relief, prevent and find cures for tinnitus, and is evidenced by its values of compassion, credibility, and responsibility. On this website you will find up-to-date information on tinnitus research, facts on tinnitus as a symptom, and tips for managing your tinnitus.

American Tinnitus Association

Hearing Health Foundation

Hearing Health Foundation (HHF)'s mission is to “prevent and cure hearing loss and tinnitus through groundbreaking research and to promote hearing health”. This website includes leading information on both tinnitus and hearing loss, further resources for patients (including up-to-date statistics, communication tips, hearing health terminology, and much more.

Hearing Health Foundation

British Tinnitus Association

An independent charity that supports those with tinnitus and provides advice to medical professionals from across the world. The British Tinnitus Association is the primary source of tinnitus support and information in the United Kingdom. The BTA not only encourages prevention of tinnitus through education, but also works to seek effective treatment and management through medical research. This website covers information about tinnitus, current research being conducted, and resources for support.

British Tinnitus Association

Books by Professionals

The Consumer Handbook on Tinnitus

By: Richard S. Tyler, PhD

Tinnitus Handbook

By: Richard S. Tyler, PhD

Tinnitus: A Self-Management Guide for the Ringing in Your Ears

By: Jane Henry

Living with Tinnitus and Hyperacusis

By: Drs. Laurence McKenna, Don McFerran, and David Baguley

Books with Personal Tinnitus Experiences

Rewiring Tinnitus: How I Finally Found Relief from the Ringing in my Ears

By: Glenn Schweitzer

Glenn Schweitzer recounts his experiences with tinnitus and gives readers advice on living with the condition . Through Glenn’s terrifying, yet inspiring story, and with dozens of actionable techniques and tools, you can finally find the relief you deserve, too. You will learn specific techniques to reduce your tinnitus, as well as concrete steps to dramatically improve your quality of life. It may not go away entirely, but it can stop bothering you.

Tinnitus, from Tyrant to Friend: How to Let Go of Ringing in Your Ears

By: Julian Cowen Hill

Having helped 600+ people with tinnitus over the last 15 years as a Psychotherapist and a hands-on Craniosacral therapist, Julian Cowan Hill shares how he cured his own tinnitus and how he helps others let go of symptoms. In this book he provides a framework for understanding how tinnitus works and shares practical techniques to help you get better. You will find a matrix which charts how people make progress, which can be comforting, and can help you find where you are on your journey back towards silence.

Podcasts

Conversations in Tinnitus

Shared by the American Tinnitus Association

Private practice Audiologists host each episode, where current topics, new research and treatment options are addressed for those with tinnitus.

Conversations in Tinnitus

Tinnitus Talk Podcasts

Podcast hosting clinicians and researchers to discuss different aspects of tinnitus.

Tinnitus Talk Podcasts

Tinnitus Smartphone Apps- Android and Apple

ReSound Tinnitus Relief

Premade or can create own soundscape
Deep breathing, meditation, relaxation techniques
Read about tinnitus, tips how to manage
Create a plan and tracks usage

Relax Melodies

Large selection of sounds
Create and save own mixes
Guided meditation, breathing exercises, bedtime stories

White Noise HQ

Download new sounds using sound catalog
Can create and time new mixes
Unique sounds

Calm

Free “Scenes” while will play calming sounds
Set a timer for sounds
Meditation, relaxation, guided breathing
Sleep stories

White Noise Lite

Variety of nature sounds
Can create or select premade mixes
Sleep clock feature
Add favorites and create mixes

myNoise

Ability to adjust frequency bands
Save sound to favorites
Can create custom sound using super generator
Binaural beats