Moving tinnitus to the background
Tinnitus—the perception of ringing, buzzing, hissing, or roaring when no external sound is present—affects millions of adults. For many, it is a minor annoyance. For others, it disrupts sleep, concentration, and daily well-being.
At Clearwave Hearing, we don't just tell you to "live with it." We use a clinical approach called Tinnitus Masking combined with Habituation Counseling. The goal is to reduce the "signal-to-noise ratio" of the tinnitus, making it less intrusive so your brain eventually stops tracking it as an important sound.
Is Tinnitus a Medical Emergency?
While most tinnitus is benign, you should seek immediate medical attention if you experience tinnitus that is pulsatile (sounds like a heartbeat), occurs in only one ear, or is accompanied by sudden hearing loss or vertigo.
Modern hearing aids can provide subtle background masking to alleviate tinnitus perception.
Hearing Aid Masking Therapy
Since 80% of people with tinnitus also have some degree of hearing loss, modern hearing aids are the most effective clinical tool for management.
1. Restoring Lost Sound
Often, the brain "turns up the volume" on internal neural noise because it isn't getting enough external sound. By amplifying environmental sounds, hearing aids naturally reduce the prominence of tinnitus.
2. Active Masking
We program a subtle, customizable background sound (like white noise or ocean waves) into your devices. This "masker" gives your brain something else to listen to, making the tinnitus harder to focus on.
3. Habituation
By keeping the tinnitus "covered" by a pleasant sound, we help the brain enter a state of habituation—where the tinnitus is still there, but you are no longer consciously aware of it.
What to expect at your tinnitus evaluation
A tinnitus appointment is a two-step process to ensure we are treating the right cause.
- Diagnostic Audiological Evaluation: We perform a full hearing test to see if hearing loss is contributing to the tinnitus. We also check middle ear function and look for asymmetries.
- Tinnitus Pitch & Loudness Matching: We attempt to match the frequency and volume of your tinnitus using tones in the booth. This helps us customize a masker that is most effective for you.
- Impact Assessment: We use standardized questionnaires to understand how the sound is affecting your sleep, mood, and concentration.
- Custom Management Plan: Based on the results, we recommend either specific device settings, sound therapy apps, or a referral to a medical specialist if needed.
Tinnitus FAQ
Can tinnitus be cured?
In most cases, there is no "cure" that makes the sound disappear forever. However, "management" is very successful. Most patients can reach a point where the tinnitus no longer bothers them or interferes with their lives.
Do I have to wear hearing aids if my hearing is normal?
If your hearing is clinically normal but your tinnitus is severe, we can use "tinnitus markers"—devices that look like hearing aids but only provide masking sound without amplification.
Does insurance cover tinnitus treatment?
Most insurance covers the initial diagnostic hearing evaluation. Coverage for devices varies by plan. We verify your specific benefits before your appointment.
Stop suffering in silence
If ringing in your ears is affecting your quality of life, schedule a clinical evaluation today. We can help you build a plan for relief.