Tinnitus

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of internal noises, mainly originating involuntarily within the head, in the absence of any external acoustic stimuli. Tinnitus sufferers often describe the noises that they hear as being similar to a high pitch whistle, or steam escaping. Other descriptors can include the sound of high voltage wires, a humming sound, music, even a song with words.

Tinnitus is very common among individuals who work in a noisy environment. Although generally Tinnitus is not considered to be a serious condition, it may be an early warning sign that some level of damage is being done to the auditory system.

If you notice a sudden onset of Tinnitus, manifesting itself as hearing loss in one ear, with or without dizziness, it could be indicative of a potentially serious medical condition. It is important to have your hearing assessed and the results forwarded to your family physician as soon as possible.

Although there is no cure for Tinnitus, there are techniques such as the use of amplification that can help minimize its effects and alleviate its symptoms. At Sense of Hearing we have professionals available to assess your situation and apply the appropriate techniques to help you better cope with the condition.