If you experience tinnitus (ringing, humming or buzzing in your ears), then you already understand the detrimental impact it has on the quality of your life. In extreme cases, tinnitus might interfere with your ability to concentrate or lead to anxiety.
Early in his 40-plus-year career, Dr. Bauman established a tinnitus and sound over-sensitivity clinic, developing proprietary treatment therapies that he teaches to both national and international practitioners. Because of his expertise and extensive experience, he is the expert the experts turn to for advice and support regarding tinnitus.
What Causes Tinnitus?
The specific cause of tinnitus has not yet been identified. However, the Central Gain Theory is the prevailing theory surrounding why individuals with a hearing loss experience tinnitus and tinnitus-related symptoms.
Proponents of this theory argue that tinnitus occurs when your brain creates sounds that are no longer received through the normal hearing process. Tinnitus is similar to the “phantom limb” experienced by amputees—it is an adaptive, neurological response by your brain to replace a missing brain sound.
Statistics show that 75% of people with some level of hearing loss also complain of symptoms that include a ringing, buzzing, hissing or humming sound in their ears. Although it does not cause hearing loss, tinnitus can be a major indicator of mild to severe hearing loss.
In its initial stages, tinnitus often goes unnoticed or may come and go; however, as the sounds intensify, common consequences include loss of sleep, increased stress and decreased productivity. Greater awareness of the condition typically follows, which increases the level of stress, in turn intensifying the condition, producing a snowball effect.
Ways To Manage Tinnitus
Though there is no cure for tinnitus, there are several ways of managing it—including one developed by Dr. Bauman. Options include:
- Maskers (decrease sound awareness)
- Medication therapy (reduces stress and anxiety as well as aids sleep)
- Levo Systems (zero out sound by matching the quality and volume of the sound)
- Desync sound therapy (disrupts the neural signal from tinnitus)
- The Listening Program® SLEEP (provides nature sounds and ambient music to retrain how the brain interprets sound)
- The Sound Pillow® Sleep System (relaxes the body and slows down the brain to promote sustainable sleep)
- Hearing aids (correct hearing loss while providing environmental sound masking)
- Alternative therapies (neuraminic therapy, psychological counseling, biofeedback and relaxation techniques deal with stress and anxiety)
- Cognitive Habituation Tinnitus Therapy (CHaTT) (Dr. Natan Bauman’s individualized tinnitus retraining program, consisting of sound therapy combined with a personalized therapy program based on cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness)
The effectiveness of these various management techniques varies from one patient to the next and may include a combination of techniques guided by a professional.
Tinnitus Management Leads to a Rewarding and Productive Lifestyle
A hearing assessment and tinnitus evaluation are critical first steps for establishing a plan to manage tinnitus. Our tinnitus management techniques are built on well-established research and experience that have produced measurable results.
With the ongoing support of our well-trained professionals, managing your tinnitus will lead to a more rewarding and productive lifestyle. If you or a loved one is struggling with tinnitus, then schedule an appointment with our tinnitus experts.
Call AVI New England for more information or to schedule an appointment.