Tinnitus affects millions of Canadians who experience persistent ringing, buzzing or whooshing sounds that seem to come from nowhere. While some people have mild occasional symptoms, others deal with constant sounds that interfere with sleep, concentration and daily activities. At North Star Hearing, our registered hearing aid practitioner understands how disruptive tinnitus can be and works with you to develop management strategies that provide real relief.
Managing tinnitus effectively involves addressing both the physical symptoms and how they affect your quality of life. We offer comprehensive programs that may include sound therapy, hearing aids with tinnitus masking features and counselling techniques to help reduce the stress that often accompanies tinnitus. With the right approach, many people find significant relief and learn to manage their tinnitus in ways that allow them to focus on what matters most.
Understanding Your Tinnitus
Tinnitus typically results from an underlying condition rather than being a disease itself. Common causes include hearing loss, noise exposure, earwax blockage, abnormal bone growth, Ménière’s disease, head or neck injuries, certain medications, vascular disorders and stress. Our comprehensive evaluation includes detailed medical history, complete audiological testing and tinnitus matching to characterize your specific symptoms. This thorough assessment helps identify contributing factors and guides our treatment recommendations for your unique situation.
Sound Therapy Solutions
Sound therapy uses external sounds to help your brain refocus attention away from tinnitus whilst reducing its emotional impact. White noise machines, nature sounds or customized soundscapes provide relief by masking the tinnitus or promoting habituation. Many individuals find significant improvement using sound enrichment during quiet times when tinnitus seems most noticeable, particularly at bedtime or during concentration-demanding tasks.
Hearing Aids with Tinnitus Features
Modern hearing aids offer sophisticated tinnitus management features even for individuals without significant hearing loss. These devices generate customized masking signals or fractal tones that blend with your tinnitus, providing immediate relief whilst promoting long-term habituation. By addressing any accompanying hearing loss, properly fitted hearing aids reduce the strain of listening effort that often exacerbates tinnitus perception.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
TRT combines sound therapy with directive counselling to retrain your brain’s response to tinnitus signals. This evidence-based approach helps reclassify tinnitus as a neutral stimulus rather than a threat, reducing the distress and attention it commands. The program typically spans 12-24 months, incorporating wearable sound generators and regular counselling sessions to achieve lasting habituation.
Ongoing Management Strategies
Successful tinnitus management extends beyond initial treatment to include lifestyle modifications and coping strategies. Stress reduction techniques, sleep hygiene improvements and dietary adjustments can significantly impact tinnitus severity. Regular follow-up appointments allow us to monitor progress, adjust treatment protocols and provide continued support as you develop effective management habits for long-term relief.
