Lenire Has Arrived. We’re 1 of just 3 audiology practices in Indiana offering the first FDA-approved tinnitus treatment.
Want Relief from Tinnitus: Explore Lenire
Lenire is the first device of its kind to receive a grant of approval from the FDA to treat tinnitus. This follows a large-scale clinical trial designed to meet the FDA’s requirements during which 83% of patients recommended Lenire for the treatment of tinnitus. The large-scale trial’s results were consistent with real-world evidence from 204 patients*. Additionally, the innovative approach of Lenire in treating tinnitus has been featured on Good Morning America, highlighting its significance and effectiveness.
What Is Tinnitus?
Though the common misconception about tinnitus is that it’s a disease, tinnitus is actually a medical condition characterized by persistent ringing in one or both ears that can only be heard by the affected individual.
Many who suffer from tinnitus describe the annoying sound as ringing in the ear, but a whistling, hissing, buzzing, or pulsing sound is also possible. For some, these sounds come and go. But most are not that lucky, and will experience symptoms 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
These phantom sounds may cause only a slight annoyance, or they may severely disrupt everyday life. The American Tinnitus Association estimates more than 50 million Americans suffer from at least occasional bouts of tinnitus.
What Causes Tinnitus?
There are a number of causes, with the most common being exposure to loud noise for a prolonged period of time. In this case, your hearing may be temporarily or permanently damaged, depending upon the severity of the sound.
We can’t always tell whether your temporary damage will become permanent, but tinnitus is usually representative of an inner-ear problem. Tinnitus research is ongoing, and the mechanisms that cause tinnitus in the brain and inner ear are being more closely studied. Some possible causes are:
In rare cases, tinnitus may be caused by a blood vessel disorder, resulting in pulsatile tinnitus. This type of tinnitus may be caused by a head or neck tumor, a buildup of cholesterol in the circulatory system, high blood pressure, turbulent blood flow, or malformation of the capillaries surrounding the ear. The result is a tinnitus that sends out pulsing signals in conjunction with the flow of your heartbeat.
Is There a Cure?
While there is still no cure for tinnitus, there is now an FDA-approved treatment option available: Lenire. Lenire is a non-invasive device designed to reduce the impact of tinnitus and is supported by emerging research, including a recent clinical study demonstrating its effectiveness. Despite what you may read online or see in ads, there is no magic pill to make tinnitus disappear—but there are evidence-based ways to manage it. Therapeutic sound therapy, relaxation techniques, and, in many cases, treating underlying hearing loss can significantly lessen the day-to-day burden of tinnitus.
What Are the Treatment Options for Tinnitus?
Diagnostic testing and an evaluation by an otologist will rule out possible medical factors that could be causing or contributing to your tinnitus. Because your tinnitus symptoms are personal and unique in nature, an in-depth evaluation will help us create a specialized treatment plan for you.
Our audiologists have the knowledge and experience to provide you with treatment methods that can help lessen the impact that tinnitus has on your life; including the first FDA approved tinnitus treatment option – Lenire. In many cases, the distressing combination of tinnitus and hearing loss can be relieved with AGX® Hearing technology.
The No. 1 treatment for tinnitus for those who also experience hearing loss is the use of a personal hearing system, which can improve your hearing and often reduce or eliminate your perception of tinnitus. There are a number of treatment options, including:
AGX Hearing Technology: The top treatment for those who experience hearing loss, which can both improve overall hearing ability and eliminate the perception of ringing.
Masking: An electronic device called a masker may be worn to distract from the ringing sensation. Maskers fit in the ear similarly to hearing aids and produce low-level sounds. In addition, bedside sound generators and other devices can also help remove the perception of ringing.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A type of counseling that helps to change the body’s emotional reaction to tinnitus by altering negative thought patterns and helping to relieve stress. While our providers do not provide CBT directly, we can refer you to psychological professionals in town who can help you with this type of support.
What Can I Do To Help Myself?
Think about things that will help you cope. Many people find listening to music very helpful. Focusing on music might help you forget about your tinnitus for a while. It can also help to mask the sound. Other people like to listen to recorded nature sounds, like ocean waves, the wind, or even crickets.
Avoid anything that can make your tinnitus worse, such as smoking, alcohol and loud noise. If you are a construction worker, an airport worker, or a hunter, or if you are regularly exposed to loud noise at home or at work, wear ear plugs or special earmuffs to protect your hearing and keep your tinnitus from getting worse.
If it is hard for you to hear over your tinnitus, ask your friends and family to face you when they talk so you can see their faces. Seeing their expressions may help you understand them better. Ask people to speak louder, but not shout. Also, tell them they do not have to talk slowly, just more clearly.
Tinnitus Research
Tinnitus research is constantly evolving. We know that many areas of the brain are involved in the production and perception of tinnitus. Abnormalities in function at the cellular level have been established in the brainstem as well in a part of it called the dorsal cochlear nucleus. This area is the first major area of neural synapses in the auditory system after nerve fibers leave the inner ear. The American Tinnitus Association funds research into tinnitus treatment and causes. Many people with abnormalities in their auditory system have tinnitus. People who can still hear soft sounds within normal limits can still have subtle changes to their auditory system which result in tinnitus. These changes can often be seen with an Otoacoustic Emissions Evaluation, even when their hearing is within normal limits.
Where Can I Find More Information?
- Information on Tinnitus from the National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders.
- The American Tinnitus Association www.ata.org funds research into tinnitus treatment and causes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there medications for tinnitus?
Almost all of the “surefire” remedies for tinnitus found on the internet are based on junk science, case studies, or no real evidence at all. But there are some things you can try that might help lessen symptoms, including: limiting exposure to loud noises, lowering your blood pressure, ingesting less salt, and limiting exposure to alcohol.
Can tinnitus be cured?
Current research by neurologists suggests that altering certain areas of the brain that respond to sound — or a lack thereof — may provide relief. Experiments to regrow broken hair cells have also been performed. Regrowth of hair cells means that hearing is restored, which prevents the brain from attempting to fill the void left by a lack of hair cells, ultimately ending tinnitus. Both theories are likely years away from clinical trials, which means a greater period of time until any possible cure hits the market. Curing tinnitus may be possible, but likely not in the near future.
Can tinnitus be directly measured?
Rarely. There is a form of tinnitus referred to as “objective tinnitus” that your doctor can hear. This is typically the result of a blood vessel problem, an inner-ear bone condition, or muscle contractions.
Does tinnitus cause hearing loss?
No. Tinnitus is a symptom of any number of conditions, including hearing loss.
Why is tinnitus worse at night?
In our daily lives, sounds around us typically mask tinnitus to some degree. At night, when things are quiet, there’s less noise and fewer mental distractions. If your tinnitus is stress related, it’s also possible that the cumulative stress of your day has made your symptoms worse.