Tinnitus FAQ

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus, "ringing ears" or ear noise is a phenomenon of the nervous system connected to the ear, characterised by perception of a ringing, beating or roaring sound (often perceived as sinusoidal) with no external source. According to the American Tinnitus Association, tinnitus is pronounced two distinctly different ways, with both being acceptable: ti-NIGHT-us, or TIN-i-tus.

What does tinnitus sound like?

Many sufferers report that their tinnitus sounds like the high-pitched background tone emitted by some computer monitors or television sets. Others report noises like hissing steam, rushing water, chirping crickets, bells, breaking glass, or even chainsaws. Some report that their tinnitus temporarily spikes in volume when under extreme stress, with sudden head motions during aerobic exercise, or with each footfall while jogging.

In a database of 1544 tinnitus patients, 79% characterized the sound as "tonal" with an average loudness of 7.5 (on a subjective scale of 1-10). The other 21% characterized the sound as "noise" with an average loudness of 5.5. When compared to an externally generated noise source, the average loudness was 7.5dB above threshold. 68% of patients were able to have their tinnitus masked by sounds 14dB or less above threshold.

Can tinnitus be cured?

Although there is no simple cure for tinnitus, people have managed to drastically improve the condition by trying a number of treatments to see what works for their particular case. A combination of external masking and psychological counseling known as tinnitus retraining therapy is widely practiced. Many report that it becomes much less disturbing and in some cases the offending sound is no longer heard at the conscious level (Habituation of Perception).

Tinnitus News

tinnitus

W hile running his team over the 400 miles of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathons, Cliff Wang would go days without sleep. If he appeared a bit punchy, he had the coolest excuse in the world. But when a persistent noise began filling his head and ...

New music treatment for tinnitus is promising - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Traumatic brain injuries have become the signature wound of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and troops who sustain them face a daunting array of potential medical consequences later on, a report on the issue commissioned by the U.S. Department of ...

Brain injuries mark modern wars - Globe and Mail

Traumatic brain injuries have become the signature wound of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and troops who sustain them face a daunting array of potential medical consequences later on, says a report on the issue commissioned by the U.S. Department ...

Troops suffering brain injury face health problems: report - Toronto Sun

Dr. Patrick J. Kelly, the head of neurosurgery at New York University, folded his arms hard against his chest, radiating skepticism. “I have a neurological problem that I’ve never told anyone about — not a soul,” he recalls saying to his ...

In a Host of Ailments, Seeing a Brain Out of Rhythm - Gainesville Sun

The Benson/San Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce announced grand opening for Sound Point Audiology & Hearing. License Hearing Instrument Specialist, Kandis Kelly has been in the industry eight years. Her husband, John Kelly, joined her as clinic ...

Grand opening - San Pedro Valley News-Sun

Dr. Patrick J. Kelly, the head of neurosurgery at New York University, folded his arms hard against his chest, radiating skepticism. "I have a neurological problem that I've never told anyone about - not a soul," he recalls saying to his colleague Dr ...

Theory on brain's rhythms offers some new hopes - International Herald Tribune

“Twas the Night Before Christmas,” produced by the Bridge Players Theatre Co., 3 p.m., Broad Street United Methodist Church, 36 E. Broad St., Burling-ton City. Tickets: $8. Call (856) 303-7620 or visit www.bridgeplayerstheatre.com. “ Hansel and ...

Calendar Today for Nov. 30 - Burlington County Times

Dear R.C.: Tinnitus is ear noise described as ringing, hissing, buzzing, roaring or pulsating in sync with the heartbeat. If you put a normal person in a soundproof room, that person develops tinnitus in a short time. The noises of the outside world ...

Tinnitus: Ear ringing is an irritating distraction - Detroit News

ScienceDaily (Nov. 24, 2008) — A remarkable number of patients with tinnitus demonstrate withdrawal behaviour and have a negative view of life. Feelings of anxiety and depression result in patients experiencing the complaint as a major burden on ...

Tinnitus: Psychological Treatment And Neurostimulation Offer Hope - Science Daily

Frankfurt, Germany, November 12, 2008- About one in 10 adults worldwide experiences some degree of tinnitus, commonly referred to as “ringing of the ears.” To date, no drug has been approved to treat patients suffering from this burdening ...