Psychologist, Sydney. Tinnitus

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a term used to refer to the awareness of sound when there is no external noise. It is sometimes referred to as 'ringing' in the ears but can take the form of a number of sounds such as ringing, buzzing, pulsing, whooshing, whistling and roaring.

Tinnitus is a disorder of the hearing system, not a disease. Tinnitus is relatively common, with some studies suggesting that up to 20 per cent of the Australian population has some form of tinnitus, ranging from mild to more severe. Less commonly, tinnitus can be symptomatic of another condition therefore it is important to consult a medical specialist if you are experiencing tinnitus. A thorough medical assessment will help identify and possibly remedy any conditions that are causing the tinnitus.

Tinnitus can be experienced with hearing loss and, once this hearing loss is rectified, tinnitus may become less problematic. Several sources are known to trigger or worsen tinnitus - in particular, exposure to loud noise. Exposure to loud noises such as heavy machinery, lawnmowers and loud music remains the most common preventable cause of tinnitus.

For many people it's often not possible to identify a condition or a disease causing their tinnitus. This is because the tinnitus is likely caused by a dysfunction in their auditory system. Many different parts of the brain work together to help us hear, understand and respond to a 'sound'. Understanding how the auditory system works helps us understand tinnitus and what can be done to manage it.

There is no universally accepted "cure" for tinnitus however there is a lot that can be done to help you manage your tinnitus. Although tinnitus is not a psychological problem, using psychological techniques can help reduce the distress you might be experiencing because of your tinnitus. A type of psychological therapy - known as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) - has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing both distress and the awareness of tinnitus in a significant number of patients. Other management techniques such as sound therapy can also be helpful.

To read more about tinnitus, causes and therapies, please check out some of the suggested links on the 'Useful information' page of this website.

Hyperacusis

The term 'hyperacusis' generally refers to an oversensitivity of hearing whereby ordinary, everyday sounds become very difficult to tolerate. Sounds that most of us would regard as modest and unobtrusive are experienced as distressing, intrusive and even painful for someone with hyperacusis. There are other terms sometimes used to describe different types of sound sensitivity, including misophonia, phonophobia and recruitment. There are subtle differences between all these terms.

The prevalence of hyperacusis has not been thoroughly established but it is known that a number of patients who suffer from tinnitus often report hyperacusis and vice versa. The two conditions can also occur quite separately. As with tinnitus, there is no universally accepted 'cure' for hyperacusis. At Psychology and Hearing, management of hyperacusis usually involves elements of both Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and sound.

Please visit the 'Useful Information' page of this website for some suggested hyperacusis resources.

Recruitment

'Recruitment' often occurs with hearing loss and is defined in the Dorlands Medical Dictionary as an "abnormally large increase in the perceived loudness of a sound caused by a slight increase in intensity". A person suffering from recruitment might struggle to hear the TV at a particular volume but when the volume is turned up just slightly, will suddenly experience the TV volume as far too loud. An audiologist is best qualified to assist in the treament of recruitment.