What treatment options are available for tinnitus?
June 15, 2022 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Roberta Weinert
Dear Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor,
My name is Gertrud Schmitt and I have been suffering from tinnitus for some time now. This high, bothersome sound in my ears has been accompanying me for several weeks and significantly affecting my quality of life. Initially, I thought it would go away on its own, but now the situation is causing me great concern.
I feel distracted, stressed, and have trouble falling asleep because of it. Additionally, I feel that the tinnitus is getting louder and affecting my hearing. I have already tried to relax and seek peace and quiet, but unfortunately, it has not improved.
Therefore, I am reaching out to you to learn more about possible treatment options for tinnitus. What therapies are available to alleviate or even eliminate tinnitus? Are there medications that could help, or are other measures such as hearing aids or specific therapies advisable?
I would greatly appreciate your expertise and recommendations to finally find a solution to my problem and be able to lead an undisturbed life again. Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Gertrud Schmitt
Dear Mrs. Schmitt,
Thank you for your message and for trusting in my expertise as an ear, nose, and throat doctor. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from tinnitus and that this high-pitched sound in your ears is affecting your quality of life. Tinnitus can indeed be very distressing and it is important that you seek professional help to receive appropriate treatment.
Tinnitus can have various causes, including stress, noise exposure, hearing loss, as well as disorders of the inner ear or the brain. It is important to determine the exact cause of your tinnitus in order to find a suitable treatment.
In terms of therapy options, there are various approaches to relieve or eliminate tinnitus. A widely used form of therapy is the so-called Tinnitus Retraining Therapy, which aims to mask the tinnitus and reduce its negative effects through sound therapy and behavioral therapy. This therapy can be done in specialized centers or on an outpatient basis.
In addition, hearing aids can also be helpful in some cases, especially if there is accompanying hearing loss. These devices can improve hearing and push the tinnitus into the background. There are also special masking devices that produce a counter sound to cover up the tinnitus.
Medication therapies can also be helpful in some cases, especially if the tinnitus is related to stress or circulatory disorders. Certain antidepressants or ginkgo extracts may be used in these cases.
It is important that you get examined by an ear, nose, and throat doctor to determine the exact cause of your tinnitus and receive an individually tailored therapy. I recommend that you schedule an appointment in my online consultation soon so that we can find a solution to your problem together.
I hope that my information is helpful to you and I am available for any further questions. I wish you all the best and hope that we can find a solution to your tinnitus issue together.
Sincerely,
Roberta Weinert, Specialist in Ear, Nose, and Throat Medicine
