Tinnitus has been around for a long time. But perhaps it’s new to you, like a loud used car you can’t take back. Usually, though not always, tinnitus reveals itself as an incessant ringing or buzzing in the ears. The sound can be, at times, very loud. However tinnitus is experienced by you, this point is most likely true: you are most likely searching for new ways of dealing with your tinnitus if it’s something that’s troubling you.
The good news is that new therapies and treatments are being formulated that aren’t cures for tinnitus but can help you deal with it. Certain of those therapies even involve your tongue.
Newest Approaches to Tinnitus
Possibly the most novel tinnitus therapy that we’ve seen does indeed offer a lot of potential, even if it seems a little odd initially. Both the ear and the tongue are stimulated with this device developed at the Trinity School of Medicine in Dublin. Bi-modal neurostimulation is the technical term for this approach.
The results were fairly striking with this device based on the first tests. Most people underwent treatments for a duration of twelve weeks or so. Within those 12 months, those same people noted a dramatic reduction in tinnitus symptoms. But until the testing phase is finished it won’t be widely available.
How Can I Find Tinnitus Relief Now?
Naturally, it takes a while for technology to go from research and development to patient accessibility. So maybe you’re curious about what can be done now to help deal with your tinnitus.
Fortunately, there are some newer tinnitus therapy devices available today. And one of the best new methods of managing tinnitus is something you’ve most likely already heard of: your hearing aid.
It works like this:
Everyday sounds are enhanced by hearing aids. One reason why tinnitus becomes more obvious as your hearing wanes is that the ringing is the only thing that stays loud while everything else becomes quieter. The volume of the outside world is boosted by hearing aids. By raising the volume of external sounds, your tinnitus sounds will often vanish into the background.
There is a noise masking device comparable to a modern hearing aid. If your hearing loss is fairly mild, then a masking device might be the best way to deal with your symptoms. A hearing aid has a comparable appearance to a masking device. And masking technology can be integrated into modern hearing aids. Your tinnitus symptoms can be obscured by sounds produced by this type of technology. At times this will be a tone, in other cases, it might be some white noise. Whatever is going to best hide the humming in your ears.
Obviously, this is just a starting point. We can demonstrate devices that work best with tinnitus. Give us a call.