Understanding tinnitus

Explore independent clinical insights into how phantom sounds develop and discover the evidence-based pathways available to help calm your auditory system.

What is tinnitus and its cause?

Tinnitus is not a disease but rather a symptom of an underlying problem. We call it tinnitus if a person constantly hears a sound that’s not made from an outside source. This means although you hear sounds, there’s no object close to you that’s making a sound. For this reason, tinnitus is sometimes referred to as phantom sounds.

This sound is often a high-pitched ringing in the ears. Others might hear a clicking, pulsing, hissing, or a whistling. Some hear screeching, static, buzzing, roaring, or whooshing sounds. It may occur in one ear or both ears and sometimes people hear it in different parts of their head or even outside of their head.

The sound and pitch of the tinnitus can be a low-roaring tone or hiss or a high-pitch ringing sound often described as cicadas. The volume of the tinnitus can be perceived at different levels and many people struggle in quiet environments such as at night.

Tinnitus retraining therapy

This therapy involves training your auditory system to accept the sounds that tinnitus cause as natural. This way, tinnitus becomes less noticeable and less bothersome.

This treatment involves getting help from your Audiologist along with using a device that uses sounds to actively redirect your attention off the tinnitus and onto something else. Several effective programs are available that provide improvement to your tinnitus.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT doesn’t make the sound you go away, nor does it reduce it. However, CBT helps make the effects of tinnitus more manageable. This results in improved life quality. CBT uses cognitive restructuring and relaxation to change how you perceive tinnitus. This helps relieve the anxiety and stress that tinnitus may be contributing to.

Another way to treat stress and anxiety that can come with tinnitus is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Better sleep, eating healthier food, and social engagement can help manage the effects. This is important because although stress doesn’t cause tinnitus, it does trigger it and make it worse. Part of the management process of tinnitus is to adhere to regular follow ups and reviews which will be booked as part of your management plan.

Tinnitus related reading from Hearing Institute’s Learn articles