Tinnitus is a pervasive issue that can significantly impact daily life. While transient ear noise is common, tinnitus persists and disrupts daily activities. At Medico Audiology in Cork, our specialists provide expert consultation and personalised treatment plans, including:
- Thorough assessment to identify underlying causes
- Tailored tinnitus management strategies, incorporating sound therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy
As dedicated audiologists, we understand the profound effects of tinnitus and are committed to assisting you in every aspect of managing this condition.
What Causes Tinnitus?
- Hearing loss
- Side effects of medication
- Ear infectionInjury to the ears or head
- Exposure to loud noise
- Emotional stress
Understanding Tinnitus
Tinnitus refers to internal noises, such as ringing or buzzing, perceived only by the individual experiencing it. When tinnitus becomes distressing, seeking professional support is crucial. Our audiologists, with specialised expertise in tinnitus care, offer personalised solutions to alleviate its impact on your life.
Tinnitus vs Transient Ear Noise
Tinnitus is perception of sound without any acoustic source. Tinnitus can be described as ringing, buzzing, whooshing, static, chirping, rushing, etc. Tinnitus lasts greater than 5 minutes, occurs multiple times a week or more, and impacts quality of life.
Transient Ear Noise is the occasional noise almost all people have heard in their ear at some point. It last for seconds and does not occur regularly. This is normal and is NOT classified as tinnitus.
Comprehensive Treatment & Management
When tinnitus disrupts daily activities, seeking assistance is essential. Our comprehensive audiology services in Cork include adult and paediatric assessments to determine the possible root causes of your tinnitus. We provide personalised management plans aimed at reducing tinnitus-related distress through counselling, sound therapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy, tailored to your unique needs.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Tinnitus often leads to significant stress, affecting concentration and mental well-being. Our holistic approach extends beyond audiology, offering CBT to address anxiety and depression associated with tinnitus. From initial assessment to long-term solutions, our compassionate team is dedicated to supporting you throughout your tinnitus treatment journey.
Your Questions Answered
What is tinnitus?
There are two types of tinnitus subjective tinnitus and objective tinnitus.
Subjective Tinnitus is the most common type of tinnitus and it occurs when someone hears a sound; typically described as ringing or buzzing in their ears or in their head that is not produced by an external sound source and no one else can hear this sound.
Objective tinnitus can also occur however it is more rare. Objective is when the sound you’re hearing in your ears or head can be heard by others. These sounds are often vascular or muscular in nature.
Tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom of damage or blockage within the auditory system. This can be caused by hearing loss, ear wax blockage, or other damage in the ear.
Tinnitus is typically lasting for minutes to hours or can be constant.
Who can get tinnitus and why?
People of all ages can develop tinnitus. This can be due to wax blockage, hearing loss, medications, injury, and noise exposure. People who spend a lot of time in noisy environments are more susceptible to developing tinnitus and hearing protection should always be used.
How do we assess tinnitus?
Tinnitus evaluations always include a comprehensive hearing evaluation. We will check your ears for wax or other blockages, and then perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine if there is hearing loss or other damage within your auditory system. To better understand the impact of the tinnitus on your life and which management strategies may work best for you we also complete questionnaires and speak with you regarding what you are experiencing in your day to day life with your tinnitus.
How is tinnitus managed?
For those with hearing loss and tinnitus hearing aids are the most successful management tool. A majority of adults who use hearing aids no longer hear their tinnitus or notice a significant reduction in their tinnitus.
For those who don’t have a hearing loss that can be managed with hearing aids the most clinically proven method of tinnitus management is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Sound therapy and use of masking devices can also be helpful in short-term management of tinnitus symptoms.
What is CBT and why does it work?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a specialised form of therapy that helps individuals understand and change the way their brain responds to tinnitus.
For many people with bothersome tinnitus, it’s not the sound itself causing distress but rather the negative emotional response their brain associates with it. These reactions can amplify feelings of anxiety, frustration, or hopelessness.
CBT works by:
- Helping patients identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts or behaviours related to tinnitus.
- Providing practical tools to reframe their brain’s response to tinnitus.
- Teaching coping strategies to make the sound less noticeable and easier to manage.
By changing the way the brain interprets tinnitus, patients can learn to ignore it and resume their normal daily activities without distress.
CBT can be delivered face to face, via video call, or can be self guided and delivered via an online management program depending on your lifestyle and preferences.
