By Hoglund Family Hearing and Audiology Services
Tinnitus is the perception of a sound that has no external source. Some of the more common sounds reported are: ringing, humming, buzzing, and cricket-like. It can also be a combination of sounds, and for many, the sound of their tinnitus actually changes. It can be constant or intermittent and is heard in one ear, both ears or in the head. Tinnitus is almost always accompanied by hearing loss. If you have tinnitus, you should have your hearing tested by a hearing health professional. Some 30 million adults suffer from persistent tinnitus (it can also affect children). For 12 million, the problem is severe enough that it impacts their everyday life. “Since tinnitus can be a symptom of a more serious disorder, it is important to have an appropriate health evaluation”, states John Hoglund owner of The Audiology Centers of Hoglund Family Hearing. “Our Doctors of Audiology have found many health conditions requiring intervention with Ear, Nose and Throat Doctors that helped prevent more serious medical consequences! The initial Tinnitus Assessment and Consultation is completely Free of Charge at any of our conveniently located Audiology Centers through-out Southwest Florida!” John and his wife Patricia have spent over 60 years in the hearing healthcare field! “We never wanted expense to be a barrier to knowledge”, states Patricia, “so we offer these complimentary hearing and tinnitus assessments for anyone who needs our guidance and support!”
There is help available! You can do something about it. People coming to tinnitus clinics typically are either: Curious, concerned, or distressed, says Dr. Lynette Dornton AuD. who sees many of the Tinnitus patients at John and Patricia’s clinics. Dr. Dornton not only specializes in Tinnitus Patients, but also experiences tinnitus problems herself as the result of Meniere’s disease. “Curious patients have some basic concerns and enquire about therapies. Concerned patients are bothered by their tinnitus, and want detailed information and strategies for reducing the impact of their tinnitus. Distressed patients are very bothered. They require professional help to reduce their stress and improve their coping abilities”. None of these responses are wrong. Everyone’s tinnitus is a bit different, and we are all different people with different life experiences, weaknesses and strengths.
Some people do not appear to be too bothered by their tinnitus, but most would wish it would go away. Tinnitus can have a direct influence on: Thoughts and emotions, hearing, sleep, and concentration.
Hearing
Some people with tinnitus (39%) say that the sound of the tinnitus competes with or masks things they are trying to hear. Most people with tinnitus also have a hearing loss, and it is not always easy to tell whether hearing difficulties are due to the hearing loss or to the tinnitus. There are many things you can do to improve your listening strategies, and hearing aids often improve hearing and tinnitus! We offer complimentary Tinnitus Assessments at the Audiology Centers of Hoglund Family Hearing!
Sleep
Many tinnitus sufferers (20%) report that when they are in their quiet bedroom, their tinnitus interferes with them getting to sleep. It can also make it more difficult to get back to sleep when we wake up in the middle of the night. Some even report that their tinnitus is worse after waking up in the morning, or even after a brief afternoon nap. There are many things you can do to nurture your sleep experience, and most individuals with tinnitus benefit from sound therapy while falling asleep. Sleep deprivation can dramatically increase stress… and stress can increase tinnitus, creating a nasty circle that negatively impacts the tinnitus sufferers’ quality of life!
Medications and Dietary Supplements
It is clear that despite many advertising claims, no medication or herbal supplement has been shown in well-designed studies to cure tinnitus. Although there are no medications to treat the tinnitus, sometimes a medication can cause tinnitus, and stopping or changing that medication can eliminate the tinnitus. It can even be the interactions of taking two or more medications that can be causing the tinnitus. Of course, you should check with whomever prescribed the medication(s) before stopping them.
F.D.A. Approved Tinnitus
Treatment Available for
Severe Tinnitus Sufferers
Those who suffer with SEVERE and DISTRESSING levels of Tinnitus have gotten remarkable results by following a treatment protocol using the F.D.A. approved Neuromonics Oasis! Duke university studies have shown that 86% of people using this treatment process have achieved at least a 40% reduction in their tinnitus problems. Some report it has virtually eliminated their Tinnitus distress! Find out if you can be helped by this amazing advancement in Tinnitus relief.
Managing tinnitus
There are many things you can do to help yourself manage your tinnitus. Finding a good tinnitus care provider can greatly improve your quality of life! If you have tinnitus, you likely have a hearing loss as well. The poorer your hearing, the more difficulty you will have communicating. In addition to your hearing loss, your tinnitus can also interfere with your hearing. Counseling and sound therapy, including the use of hearing aids, can be very helpful. The Audiology Centers of Hoglund Family Hearing specialize in tinnitus testing and treatment protocols! Please call (239)494-8651 to schedule a FREE Hearing Test and Complimentary Tinnitus consultation! Clinics are conveniently located in Fort Myers, Estero, North Fort Myers, and Bonita Springs. All it will COST is a little of your time… but the knowledge you receive may be PRICELESS!
Hoglund Family Hearing And Audiology Center
Fifteen 8th Street (Next to Royal Scoop Ice Cream)
Bonita Springs, FL 31434
239-494-8651
Southwest Florida Tinnitus And Hearing Center
10020 Coconut Rd. Ste.120 (Next to LabCorp)
Estero, FL 34135
239-494-8652
Hoglund Family Hearing And Audiology Center
88 Pine Island Road, Suite 3 (Inside Tucker Vision Center)
North Fort Myers, FL 33903
239-908-0799
AUDIOLOGY CENTERS OF HOGLUND FAMILY HEARING
13710 Metropolis Ave.Suite 101
(1 block East of Gulf Coast Hospital)
Fort Myers, Fl. 33912
239-208-6827