Tinnitus can be a crippling condition to your overall wellbeing if it remains untreated. The professionals at Mario Hearing Clinics of Massachusetts understand the importance of tinnitus diagnosis and treatment. To understand more about this condition, it’s essential to answer some frequently asked questions.
- How is tinnitus treated?
- What are the side effects?
- Will hearing aid devices treat tinnitus?
- Can hearing aid devices be used with other devices?
- Is it safe to take medication during tinnitus treatments?
- What is external sound and can the devices be purchased by consumers?
- Are there guarantees to the treatment?
- Which audiological tests have to be repeated when going through tinnitus therapy?
- How does retraining therapy work?
- Can tinnitus be heard by the person affected?
- Is tinnitus therapy classified as psychotherapy or biofeedback?
- Which devices are suited for tinnitus therapy?
- Are the devices a vital part of the treatment?
- Have there been any improvements over using maskers?
- What is the length of the treatment?
- Is there a cure for tinnitus?
- Can hyperacusis be cured?
How is tinnitus treated?
Tinnitus retraining therapy is used in place of surgery or drugs. It’s extensive in length but is the most thorough way of treating the condition.
What are the side effects?
There are no side effects of tinnitus therapy since it doesn’t involve surgery or drugs. It is a completely safe and problem-free method to combat the condition.
Will hearing aid devices treat tinnitus?
They can be a form of treatment, so depending on the build/brand professionals can work with them. Users may also have the option to choose between devices that amplify sound or devices that retrain hearing.
Can hearing aids be used with other devices?
It depends entirely on the capabilities of the hearing aid. If compatibility is limited, users can alternate between tinnitus-approved devices.
Is it safe to take medication during tinnitus treatments?
Due to the many different types of medications, a full evaluation is needed to answer that question. Usually, medication unrelated to tinnitus will have no effect on the treatment.
What is external sound and can the devices be purchased by consumers?
External sound by televisions, radios, stereos and other devices are used to mask tinnitus. These noise generators are used at a low level, meaning that they are more effective in the hands of a trained professional.
Are there guarantees to the treatment?
Guarantees are impossible since every patient is different. Studies show a big improvement when tinnitus retraining exercises are used, with over 80 percent of patients showing improvement in key areas.
Which audiological tests have to be repeated when going through tinnitus therapy?
Every clinic has their own settings related to the equipment used for testing. Although some tests are accepted within a six-month time frame, it’s always a better idea to get thoroughly retested.
How does retraining therapy work?
Subconscious parts of the brain are retrained to block out sounds caused by tinnitus. So even in a quiet room, the worst effects are nullified.
Can tinnitus be heard by the person affected?
Yes, but sometimes the sound is faint to the user. Even if you can’t hear the sounds during initial testing, it won’t affect the success of the treatment.
Is tinnitus therapy classified as psychotherapy or biofeedback?
Tinnitus is not classified as either psychotherapy or biofeedback. Counseling is a major part of the treatment and will give patients much better insight into the process.
Which devices are suited for tinnitus therapy?
Tinnitus retraining therapy uses noise-generating devices, also known as retraining instruments. They can be worn like regular hearing aids, even while sleeping.
Are the devices a vital part of the treatment?
This is determined by the results of the audiological evaluation. Some patients won’t need to wear the devices at all.
Have there been any improvements over using maskers?
Yes, since tinnitus retraining therapy aims to make tinnitus inaudible. Rather than covering tinnitus noises, the specialized devices mix natural sounds with everyday sounds.
What is the length of the treatment?
Treatment time is based on the severity of the tinnitus being treated. Average time can range from eight to 24 months in total.
Is there a cure for tinnitus?
Patients that go through the retraining will not get distracted by noises caused by tinnitus. Improvements in concentration are a vital part of the program and its success.
Can hyperacusis be cured?
TRI devices are used for hyperacusis, taking between six and 12 months to administer treatment. Depending on the severity and follow-up treatments, Hyperacusis can be fully cured.