Tinnitus Treatment in Michigan


Approximately one in five adults experiences tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. At Holland Doctors of Audiology, we provide many different solutions for treating and improving tinnitus for patients.


One in
0
Adults

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of any corresponding external sound. Tinnitus is, usually, a high-pitched ringing sound but in many cases can be like hissing, buzzing, clicking, chirping, whistling, and other sounds.

How to do you say it?

It is pronounced ‘tin-e-tus’ (/ˈtɪnɪtəs/) or ‘tin-eye-tus’ (/tɪˈnaɪtəs/.) The word is derived from the latin ‘tinnio’ meaning “to ring.” The suffix “-itis” suggests inflammation/infection (e.g., otitis, appendicitis, tendonitis, etc.) which does not describe tinnitus. While both pronunciations are correct, we prefer the less ‘medical’ and more descriptive ‘tin-e-tus.’

Is it rare?

No. Nearly 15% of everyone — almost 50 million Americans — experience some form of tinnitus. Most experience it briefly and it’s not bothersome. Roughly 20 million people struggle with more bothersome chronic tinnitus, while 2 million have extreme and debilitating cases. Tinnitus is the number one disability among Veterans with over 150,000 new cases every year and a total of over 1.5 million VA tinnitus disability claims.

What causes/worsens tinnitus?

  • Excessive noise exposure (loud music, power tools, guns, etc.)
  • Hearing loss (noise induced, age-related, fluid in ear, stiffening of middle-ear bones)
  • Excessive Cerumen (earwax)
  • Head & Neck tumors and injuries
  • TMJ disorders (Temporomandibular Joint)
  • Metabolic Disorders (e.g., Diabetes, Thyroid disorders, Anemia)
  • Autoimmune Disorders (e.g., Lyme Disease, Fibromyalgia)
  • Vascular problems (e.g., high blood pressure, blocked/restricted veins/arteries, etc.)
  • Psychiatric Issues: Depression, Anxiety disorders
  • Balance disorders and Inner ear disease
  • Certain medications (e.g., chemotherapy drugs, high doses of aspirin and NSAIDs,diuretics, some antibiotics, malaria medications, etc.)
  • Lifestyle and Dietary factors (e.g., sodium, caffeine, alcohol, poor physical fitness,sedentary lifestyles, smoking, artificial sweeteners, etc.) are linked to inner ear healthand can impact tinnitus.

Should You Worry?

In some cases, tinnitus should not be ignored and warrants immediate medical attention.
Seek an evaluation for:

  • Tinnitus in one ear only (unilateral tinnitus)
  • Tinnitus with dizziness/vertigo
  • Pulsing tinnitus (pulsatile tinnitus) or synchronous to your heart beat.
  • Tinnitus with Hearing loss that is greater in one ear (asymmetric hearing loss)
  • Tinnitus with pain, fullness, or drainage from the ear(s)
  • Tinnitus with significant anxiety/depression symptoms

Is there a cure?

With the exception of tinnitus from specific medical problems, there is no known “cure” to permanently stop tinnitus. However, there are many ways to reduce tinnitus, offering substantial relief.

What works?

Believing in a therapy is a very strong component of success rates and a strong placebo effect has been documented for many tinnitus therapies. When rigorously tested, no significant difference is found between the treated and the controlled groups for: acupuncture, nutritional supplements, vitamins, homeopathic therapies, hypnotherapy. While we can’t dismiss the benefits of these treatments, we do not recommend them for tinnitus relief. Our Doctors can properly diagnose tinnitus and offer clinically proven solutions, customized for every patient.

Experiencing Tinnitus?

Join us at the next ATA Support Group Meeting!

Our tinnitus support group encourages the sharing of experiences in a non-judgmental setting to support those who suffer from the effects of tinnitus. We meet every two months and discuss advancements in therapies, clinically proven methods of cognitive behavioral and sound therapy as well as our experiences with new tinnitus treatment products. Visit the American Tinnitus Association to learn more. 


Tinnitus Treatment Options in Holland, MI



Masking



Using both narrow and broadband tones, we can often play external sounds and noise that make the tinnitus less noticeable for the patient.






Sound Therapy



Sound therapies aim to lessen the perception of tinnitus through one of four actions; masking, distraction, habitation or neuromodulation.






Biometric Tracking



In severe cases, tinnitus affects people’s sleep, relaxation and sense of wellness. With advanced body-worn technology we can now track and analyze sleep, activity levels, stress responses, blood glucose levels and more that help us understand your body’s unique tinnitus responses.






Tinnitus Retraining Therapy


TRT uses the neurophysiological model to reclassify the ringing sounds as neutral sounds. This is typically used in combination with a noise generator to provide background noise.



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy


Typically used in combination with sound therapies and mindfulness, CBT can ease the anxiety and stress associated with tinnitus. You will develop tools and coping strategies to help you “ignore” the tinnitus sounds.



Lenire Bimodal Neuromodulation


Lenire is an evidence-based treatment and the first and only device to get FDA approval for tinnitus treatment.  Sounds from headphones and gentle pulses to the tongue work together to retrain your brain. You pay less attention to tinnitus reducing its impact on your life. With two 30-minute sessions daily, most patients have significant improvement within 3-6 months.



Otoharmonics Levo

Neuromod Lenire

Notch Therapy

Tinnitus Sound Therapy

Tinnitus Sound Therapy can be delivered with earbuds, hearing aids, or bluetooth speakers.

  • Counselling

    Assist and educate the limbic system to change its negative interpretation of the tinnitus through cognitive training

  • Amplification

    Amplification stimulates the ears, hearing system and brain to prevent overcompensation

  • Specific Sound Profiles

    Unique music program designed to encourage relaxation and make tinnitus less noticeable to the patient

  • Relaxation

    Using behavioral exercises and sleep management strategies, relaxation can become an important part of therapy



Personalized Audio Program

Enjoy a cost effective self-paced approach with customized audio training.

  • Proven Science

    Our approach is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Audiology – a clinically proven treatment option for tinnitus.

  • Built by Experts

    Built from decades of experience of Doctors, Psychologists and Tinnitus Researchers.

  • Managed by Experts

    Our Doctors are Certified in Tinnitus and know how to best customize a treatment plan to give you meaningful relief.

  • > 80% Success Rate

    Together with telehealth or in-person sessions, we find over 80% improvement.

Biometric Health Tracking

Body-worn technology can offer amazing health insights for tinnitus!

  • Cutting Edge Tech

    Biotracking is known to offer valuable health insights and we use several options to correlate tinnitus with wellness.

  • Holistic Approach

    Especially in cases of severe tinnitus, understanding your body’s reaction is critical in finding solutions that go beyond hearing.

  • Integrative Approach

    Our Doctors have extensive clinical experience to view your tinnitus in conjuction with other health metrics and help you find relief.

  • Proven Results

    Understanding your physiologic tinnitus triggers and health effects leads to most effective treatments and optimal results.

Don’t let tinnitus affect your life. We can help.