Tinnitus Consultation and Treatments

Tinnitus is sound in the head with no external source. For many, it's a ringing sound, while for others, it's whistling, buzzing, chirping, hissing, humming, roaring, or even shrieking. The sound may seem to come from one ear or both, from inside the head, or from a distance. It may be constant or intermittent, steady or pulsating.

Tinnitus is a symptom of some underlying problem, it is not a disease in of itself. Although there are many identified possible causes, some people can develop tinnitus for absolutely no apparent reason. Tinnitus is the perception of noise that has no outside source. For many years it was thought that tinnitus occurred in the mechanism of hearing, however more recent evidence shows that it occurs deep in the brain centres of hearing. 

It is estimated 90% of people who suffer from tinnitus also experience some degree of hearing loss, though they may be unware of it. However, even though tinnitus often goes hand in hand with hearing loss, it is not a disease. Almost everyone has had tinnitus for a short time after being exposed to extremely loud noise. For example, attending a loud concert can trigger short-lived tinnitus. Some medications (especially aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs taken in high doses) can cause tinnitus that goes away when the drug is discontinued. When it lasts more than six months, it's known as chronic tinnitus.

Tinnitus and the Brain

When we hear, sound waves travel through the ear canal to the middle ear and then onto the brain. Hair cells in the inner ear transform the sound waves into electrical signals, which then travel to the brain. The brain translates these signals into meaningful information – the sound we hear.

You may ask, how is tinnitus present when there is no sound coming in?

Although the causes appear to vary, experts suspect that in many cases tinnitus results from damage to hair cells in the inner ear. It is understood that the brain sometimes misinterprets the reduced signals from the ear, resulting in a perception of sound - tinnitus - that isn’t really there. Before you see an Audiologist, usually your GP will advise you to see an ENT Specialist to rule out any specific pathological problem that you may have.

Sometimes when you are suffering with tinnitus it can feel that you are suffering on alone. As we said, you aren't, between 10 to 15% of the population suffer with some level of chronic (constant) tinnitus. While tinnitus is much more widespread than people think, it can often have a significant impact someone's life.

For many tinnitus is just an irritant, but we understand that for others that it is a frustrating and stressful condition which greatly affects the lives of sufferers. Many of these people talk about losing control of their lives. We offer treatment that allows people to take back their lives.

Book an appointment today for a consultation with one of our leading Audiologists. Consultations start at £150.

Disclaimer: No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.