Millions of People Are Plagued with Annoying “Noises” in Their Heads!

By Hoglund Family Hearing and Audiology Services

For tens of millions of tinnitus sufferers, daily activity can be a challenge. Finding help can be frustrating. And the confusion surrounding the condition can lead to feelings of anxiety and hopelessness.

Tinnitus is often described as buzzing, ringing, hissing, humming, roaring, or whistling that someone hears in the absence of any external sound. More than 50 million people in the United States alone suffer from the condition, according to the American Tinnitus Association (ATA).

“Some of the myths surrounding tinnitus can hinder sufferers’ attempts to get better,” says Curtis Amann, vice president of marketing and sales for Neuromonics, Inc., which manufactures and distributes the FDA-cleared, patented and clinically proven medical device designed for long-term significant tinnitus relief. “Separating fact from fiction is an important step for any tinnitus sufferer.”

Here, Amann lists five common tinnitus myths, and insight into the real facts behind the myths.
1.    Tinnitus only affects people who’ve gone to lots of concerts and listened to loud music. While it is true that prolonged exposure to loud noises (music or other) can be one cause of tinnitus, the reality is that tinnitus has many causes – and many people develop tinnitus for no clear reason. People of any gender, age, race, background or profession can suffer from the condition. At the same time, research shows that common elements exist in all tinnitus sufferers. The key to success with treatment is choosing one that effectively addresses these commonalities.

2.    Tinnitus will probably just go away on its own. Many people are afraid or embarrassed to mention the sounds to friends, family or associates – let alone seek help. They hope that the ringing will disappear. While tinnitus caused by a medication or other temporary situation may cease if that element is removed, the reality is that tinnitus does not just “go away” for most people. The sooner a sufferer seeks help from a trained audiologist, the better – and sooner – the chances for significant improvement.

3.    Tinnitus is an incurable disease. Tinnitus is not a disease, but a condition that can result from a wide range of causes that include everything from exposure to loud noises and certain medication use to underlying neurological damage. While tinnitus itself is not a disease, untreated, it can cause fatigue, depression, anxiety, and problems with memory and concentration. The good news? Tinnitus is one condition that people often can manage with effective treatment.

4.    Tinnitus can be cured by cutting out certain foods or other items from the diet. Over time, different foods and additives have received the blame for tinnitus. Research has proven this to be false. Eating a balanced, healthy diet, and getting plenty of exercise, can play important roles in the management of tinnitus. But they can’t “fix” tinnitus on their own.

5.    There is no real help for tinnitus. This is the greatest myth of all, according to Amann. More research has lead to more and better treatments for tinnitus. Professional audiologists who specialize in tinnitus can help individuals determine whether or not they have tinnitus, and if the tinnitus is mild, moderate or severe. They can then advise on the best treatments. Some now-available treatments are customized to each patient’s unique hearing profile, and target the underlying auditory, attentional and emotional processes underlying the tinnitus.

Treatments such as Neuromonic’s, working with the company’s Oasis device, have been able to help more than 90 percent of patients achieve significant reduction in their tinnitus after just a few months. “The success Neuromonics alone is seeing confirms that effective treatment can give new life to tinnitus sufferers,” says Amann. “Never before has it been so important to debunk common myths, and separate fact from fiction in the tinnitus world.”

New study results confirm Neuromonics tinnitus treatment effectiveness!
Results from a 2010 study showed that the Neuromonics tinnitus treatment (NTT) produces measurable response within two months, and improves at all time periods over the first 12 months.

“These results confirm previous findings, showing a persistence of benefit,” says Rick Giancola, CEO of Neuromonics. “By targeting the neurological root causes of tinnitus, Neuromonics helps pa-tients manage and treat their tinnitus and regain control over their lives.”

The Customized Acoustic Stimulation for Long-Term Medical Benefit (CALM) study is an interim, multi-site, U.S. study that is evaluating patients with chronic disabling tinnitus, a widespread condition characterized by ringing in the ears. The CALM study’s primary objective is to demonstrate clinically significant long-term reductions in tinnitus disturbance and quality-of-life improvements up to 36 months post-treatment with the NTT – an FDA-cleared treatment that addresses the neurological processes of tinnitus by promoting habituation, or desensitization to the patients’ tinnitus perception, through spectrally modified music, customized for each patient.

“We have had OUTSTANDING results with the Neuromonic’s Tinnitus treatment,” states John Hoglund of Hoglund Family Hearing and Audiology Center. “Please call for a COMPLIMENTARY TINNITUS ASSESSMENT with our Director of Audiology Aaron Bilovecky and learn more about this exciting new treatment!”

HOGLUND FAMILY HEARING and AUDIOLOGY CENTER
239-498-7142
Fifteen 8th Street, Bonita Spring, FL
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Southwest Florida Tinnitus and Hearing Center
239-992-4327(HEAR)
10020 Coconut Rd, Ste 120, Estero
(Brooks Town Center/Sweetbay Plaza)