If you hear an annoying ringing, buzzing or hissing sound, you may suffer from Tinnitus.

Kelowna Tinnitus Ringing Ears

KELOWNA TINNITUS ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT

Why are my ears ringing?

Did you know? An estimated 37% of Canadian adults experience tinnitus? Tinnitus is most often described as high-pitched ringing but can also take the form of a buzzing, hissing, pulsing, whistling, roaring, or various other sounds. 

Tinnitus often comes with some unpleasant side effects including, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, problems focusing and more. Tinnitus can also be worse on some days more than others. Factors such as sleep, stress and illness may cause your tinnitus to be worse.

We can help you work with your tinnitus to help lessen the impact on your life.

Call us Today to book a consultation.

We offer complete solutions to help elevate your hearing health in order to enhance your life.
BOOK APPOINTMENT

What Causes Tinnitus?

For most people, tinnitus is a phantom perception produced by background activity within the brain’s hearing pathways. Only the person with tinnitus can hear this kind of tinnitus (“subjective tinnitus”).

Some people experience a “real” sound produced by blood flow, contraction of small muscles in the head or a ringing produced by tiny hair cells in the inner ear. A trained observer such as a medical specialist may be able to hear or measure this kind of tinnitus (“objective tinnitus”).

Tinnitus is often associated with noise exposure, hearing loss, ear disease or dysfunction, head/neck injury or insult, certain medications, even stress. Sometimes tinnitus is described as “idiopathic”, meaning that there is no identifiable cause for tinnitus.

It is important to remember that even though there is no magic pill to eliminate persistent tinnitus, there are many treatment options that will help you notice tinnitus less (or not at all), feel more relaxed and be less bothered by tinnitus. Many of our patients also report that tinnitus gets softer as tinnitus distress lessens.

Potential Causes

  • Hearing Loss
  • Exposure to Loud Noises
  • Earwax Blockage
  • Vascular Issues
  • TMJ Disorders
  • Head or Neck Injuries

  • Concussion

  • Stress, Fatigue or Anxiety
  • Certain Diseases or Illnesses

The First Step To Managing Your Tinnitus

The first step in addressing your unique experience with tinnitus is a comprehensive hearing evaluation conducted by our experienced audiologists. During this extended consultation, we can address any questions you have about tinnitus, or we can provide you with educational information.

At our clinic, flexibility is paramount, tailoring education, counselling, and sound/acoustic therapy to each individual’s journey. We provide a dedicated program for tinnitus and decreased sound tolerance management, incorporating evidence-based treatments.

kelowna tinnitus ears ringing

Lakeside Hearing is committed to enhancing your overall auditory well-being through tailored tinnitus management solutions, alleviating discomfort associated with tinnitus. These solutions may include:

kelowna tinnitus therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Integrating cognitive behavioural therapy techniques to address the emotional impact of tinnitus and modify negative thought patterns related to the condition.

kelowna tinnitus hearing aid

Hearing Aids

Employing advanced hearing aid technology to amplify external sounds and improve overall hearing, which can help minimize the perception of tinnitus.

kelowna tinnitus sound therapy

Sound Therapy

Utilizing specialized sound therapy techniques to provide relief from tinnitus.

kelowna tinnitus ear protection

Ear Protection

Offering customized ear protection solutions to prevent further damage from loud noises and reduce the risk of exacerbating tinnitus.

kelowna tinnitus groups

Group Sessions

Facilitating group sessions to create a supportive environment where individuals with tinnitus can share experiences, coping strategies, and emotional support, fostering a sense of community.

Get Prepared For Your Tinnitus Consultation

During your appointment, you will meet with the tinnitus audiologist who will take a detailed history and may perform a diagnostic hearing evaluation. Together you will discuss the management options best suited to your needs including sound therapy devices.  You will also have time to ask the tinnitus audiologist any questions you have about tinnitus, hearing loss and decreased sound tolerance.  The initial appointment is 1 to 1 ½ hours long.

Follow-up appointments are booked to monitor progress and to ensure that the management plan is working well for you and does not require any adjustments.  These appointments are between 30 minutes to 1.5 hours long.  We are able to accommodate out-of-town patients by arranging some of the follow-up appointments as phone follow-ups.

Please bring the following items to your appointment:

  • You will be sent a questionnaire pertaining to your tinnitus that you are asked to complete digitally prior to arriving at your appointment.
  • Any hearing aids or instruments that you use
  • A list of any medications and supplements that you are taking

You are welcome to bring a family member or friend to your appointment.

The services we provide at Lakeside Diagnostic Hearing and Tinnitus Centre are not covered by the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP). Therefore, visits to the Tinnitus Clinic must be paid for privately or, if pre-approved, by a third-party such as WorksafeBC or Veterans Affairs Canada. You can contact our office for fees and further information.

WorksafeBC recognizes that tinnitus may develop as a result of noise damage or trauma. If you believe that tinnitus is related to your work history in BC, you can file a tinnitus claim with WorksafeBC. Workers with an approved tinnitus claim may be eligible for coverage of costs associated with tinnitus management.

Please discuss your tinnitus management options and possible referral to the Tinnitus Clinic for “Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) with your WorksafeBC claim owner.

The Tinnitus Clinic is a registered provider of TRT and we are a tinnitus retraining therapy provider through Worksafe BC.

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) recognizes that tinnitus may develop as a result of noise damage where hearing loss is present or from head trauma or injury. If you believe that tinnitus is related to your service history, then you can apply for tinnitus entitlement with VAC.  Claimants with recognized tinnitus entitlement may be eligible for tinnitus devices and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) if prescribed by a medical doctor, audiologist and approved by VAC.

The Tinnitus Clinic is a registered provider of TRT for VAC.

If you have a recognized tinnitus claim through VAC and want to begin TRT through the Tinnitus Clinic, please

1) fax us your recent (within 6 month) hearing test
2) fax us your an otolaryngology (ENT) consult letter regarding tinnitus
3) phone or email us to request that the Tinnitus Clinic audiologist submit a request for TRT authorization to VAC. Be sure to provide your VAC file number.

Call us Today to book a consultation.

We offer complete solutions to help elevate your hearing health in order to enhance your life.
BOOK APPOINTMENT
KEEP EXPLORING

Learn More About Managing Your Tinnitus

Tinnitus Management Techniques

Explore effective self-management techniques to empower you in managing tinnitus and mitigating its impact on your daily life. These tools can be instrumental, whether used independently or in conjunction with your treatments.

Tinnitus Group Sessions

Attending a group session on tinnitus management is an effective way to quickly get tinnitus management started. Group sessions are now held virtually via video chat. They are open to patients and family members who are suffering from tinnitus.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

The objective of CBT in tinnitus therapy is to identify negative behaviours, beliefs, and reactions to tinnitus and to assist the individual in substituting appropriate and positive thoughts. The goal of our CBT program is to reduce negative emotional reactions, stress, and attention given to tinnitus and to ensure that tinnitus no longer negatively affects life’s activities.

Sensitivity to Sound Management

“Hyperacusis” is a term used to describe lowered tolerance of everyday sounds that most other people find quite tolerable.  These sounds are often high-pitched sounds or sounds that begin abruptly (impulse sounds).

What happens if I don’t treat my tinnitus?

Neglecting the treatment of tinnitus can lead to various repercussions that may significantly impact your overall well-being. It’s crucial to recognize and address this condition promptly to avoid potential complications.

Consequences of Untreated Tinnitus:

  • Increased Stress and Anxiety: Persistent tinnitus can contribute to heightened stress levels and anxiety, affecting your mental health.
  • Sleep Disturbances: The constant presence of tinnitus may disrupt your sleep, leading to fatigue and decreased overall quality of life.
  • Social Isolation: Difficulty in communication due to tinnitus can result in withdrawal from social activities, impacting relationships.
  • Concentration Challenges: The continuous background noise of tinnitus can make it challenging to focus, affecting productivity and cognitive abilities.
  • Exacerbation of Hearing Loss: Untreated tinnitus may exacerbate underlying hearing loss, creating a compounding effect on auditory function.

Proactively addressing tinnitus is crucial for preserving your mental and emotional well-being, maintaining healthy social connections, and ensuring an optimal quality of life. Don’t underestimate the importance of seeking timely treatment to mitigate the potential consequences of untreated tinnitus.

Tinnitus FAQs

Tinnitus is the perception of sound that is generated in the head. Many people know tinnitus as the ringing or buzzing sound we hear coming out of a loud concert or other very noisy environments. Tinnitus may also sound like crickets, high-tension wires, jet engine noise, whooshing, humming, or even music. It can be heard as coming from one or both ears or from within the head. Most people will hear tinnitus if asked to listen in a very quiet environment.

Examples of what tinnitus might sound like are available on the American Tinnitus Association website. Look for “sounds of tinnitus” on the American Tinnitus Association’s web page.

For most people, tinnitus is a phantom perception produced by background activity within the brain’s hearing pathways. Only the person with tinnitus can hear this kind of tinnitus (“subjective tinnitus”). Some people experience a “real” sound produced by blood flow, contraction of small muscles in the head or a ringing produced by tiny hair cells in the inner ear. A trained observer such as a medical specialist may be able to hear or measure this kind of tinnitus (“objective tinnitus”).

Tinnitus is often associated with noise exposure, hearing loss, ear disease or dysfunction, head/neck injury or insult, certain medications, even stress. Sometimes tinnitus is described as “idiopathic”, meaning that there is no identifiable cause for tinnitus.

Tinnitus is very common. Approximately 15% of the population reports having tinnitus at least once a week, although most people will hear tinnitus sounds when asked to listen for sound in an extremely quiet room. The majority of individuals with tinnitus also have some hearing loss even though they may not report any hearing difficulties. Tinnitus is reported by adults and children alike.

Tinnitus may disappear with time or become so insignificant that people rarely notice it. Or tinnitus may be audible but have little consequence. Studies suggest that most people manage tinnitus without seeking help for it while a minority find tinnitus is an annoying or distressing experience.

There is no pill or surgery known to eliminate tinnitus.  As mentioned above, most people hear tinnitus when asked to listen in a very quiet space.  This suggests that complete elimination of tinnitus may not be possible or even desired.  Researchers around the world are, however, working to find medical and sound-based therapies to address intrusive tinnitus.

For some individuals with persistent tinnitus, treating the underlying condition that contributes to tinnitus may effectively eliminate tinnitus. A simple example of this is when the ear canal is completely blocked by ear wax (cerumen). Removal of the ear wax restores hearing and tinnitus typically subsides.

Many people can find ways to make tinnitus less noticeable or not noticeable at all. Addressing hearing loss through properly fit amplification may make tinnitus inaudible or partially suppress it. Some people find that tinnitus “disappears” while away on vacation; this is likely because stress is a significant contributor to their tinnitus.

It is important to remember that even if there is no magic pill to eliminate persistent tinnitus, there are many treatment options that will help you notice tinnitus less (or not at all), feel more relaxed and be less bothered by tinnitus. Many of our patients also report that tinnitus gets softer as tinnitus distress lessens.

It is recommended that you book in for a tinnitus consultation with one of our Registered Audiologists. This consultation will include a diagnostic hearing evaluation which can screen for underlying medical concerns associated with the auditory system and may be contributing factors of the tinnitus. This assessment will also screen for the possible need for referral to an Otolaryngologist (ENT specialist doctor). Should this referral be warranted, your audiologist will provide your family physician with a detailed interpretation of the findings and recommendations of further investigation from the ENT.
Should the ENT order an MRI, don’t forget to tell the MRI technician if you are sound sensitive to ensure that the hearing protection you are given is well fitted.

Hearing this message can be disheartening. Please know, many strategies can be employed to help mitigate the negative impact of tinnitus on your life. These will be discussed in your tinnitus consultation with your Audiologist.

Call us Today to book a consultation.

We offer complete solutions to help elevate your hearing health in order to enhance your life.
BOOK APPOINTMENT