Tinnitus Testing and Tinnitus Treatment

The Tinnitus Testing Protocol we use includes Comprehensive Case History, High Tone Diagnostic Hearing Battery, Otoacoustic (OAE) Testing to see if there is any damage to the Cochlear (organ of hearing) which may not show on a general hearing test, TRQ and DAAS21 Questionnaires.   If there is nothing suspicious in the testing, such as an unexplained difference in hearing ability between the two ears for example, we then look at the things which may be aggravating or making the Tinnitus worse and if there are options for Tinnitus Treatment and Management.

While most cases of Tinnitus are a symptom of Hearing Loss and/or Noise Exposure, any recent or new Tinnitus, single sided Tinnitus, Pulsatile Tinnitus (in sync with heartbeat), or tinnitus with sudden loss of hearing should be investigated with a comprehensive battery of tests to rule out any medical issues and so we can refer to your GP for further testing or medical interventions if requred.

Some common causes of tinnitus include temporary hearing loss (Ie a middle ear infection), Permanent Hearing Loss, Wax in the Ears, Stress, Inadequate Sleep, and Loud Noise Exposure. 

Sometimes Tinnitus can be caused by Acoustic Neuroma pressing on the 8th Nerve, Middle Ear Tumours, Heart Disease, Auto Immune Disease, High Blood Pressure  and may be an early warning sign for the need for medical referral and treatment/management.

For any Tinnitus Treatment to work Stress, Sleep, and Hearing loss, all must be examined and management strategies put in place to assist.  Otherwise these can form triggers not allowing the brain to to desensitise (this is where the brain begins to relax to its own signals and no longer interprets them as dangerous), to the Tinnitus.

It is generally thought that Tinnitus starts as a faulty signal between the Ear and the Brain which then generalises and is replicated by the brain giving the Phantom Noise.  It often sounds like a high-pitched ring or buzz, but many variations are possible.

No single treatment works for everyone but Hearing aids for tinnitus with Maskers help reduce the tinnitus for around 80 to 90% of clients in my clinical experience.  

Some brands of Hearing Aids have white noise generators to try and help mask the Tinnitus.  High end hearing aids by Starkey have the ability to further shape this sound according to your hearing levels.

Widex Hearing aids have a setting in their hearing aids where the masking sounds let small bits of the tinnitus across on purpose, so the brain gets desensitised across a number of months.

The are many  products on the market promising relief.  Research is looking promising for devices that confuse the brain by introducing another sense like NeoSensory which uses sound and vibration.  

They are applying for TGA registration of their vibrating device which overloads the brain and body with sound and vibration so the brain can desensitise across time to the internal noises across time.  

Many medications can make Tinnitus worse, but some medications and supplements may help in treatment and the Audiologist Dylan Deinert will discuss this with you across the consultation.

A report will be sent to your GP if there is a referral and a copy of any recommendations to you for management.

Unfortunately, this test cannot be bulk billed, but Medicare rebates will apply with GP referral.