Can We Really Treat Tinnitus?

In my humble opinion, one of the best parts of summer are the sounds you get to hear. From the breeze rustling through leafy trees to campfires crackling, and my personal favorite; listening to the finches, flickers and chickadees singing in my backyard.

But for many people those sounds are constantly accompanied by another sound- the sound of their tinnitus. That may be a tone, a buzz, a hiss, or any other sound that does not have a source

It’s one of those symptoms that can have many possible causes that may not be easy to figure out. When you ask most physicians, they will tell you to live with it. And many people can ‘just live with it’. But what about those who can’t? What about those people with tinnitus that is very bothersome, that keeps them up at night or creates anxiety and stress?

"While it is true that there is no CURE for tinnitus, that doesn’t mean there is no HELP."

Last month we talked about common triggers of tinnitus. (If you missed it, go to hearinghealthcarecenters.com/newsletters to see all of our past email-only newsletters.) This month, we are again featuring Dr. Kacy Hooten with part 2 about the emotional aspects of tinnitus and what we can do about it when it becomes hard to live with.

You’ll also read a couple of personal stories about our patients who have received relief from their tinnitus. I hope they inspire and encourage you that there are ways to treat tinnitus.

Who do you know who could also benefit from this?

The first finding was a reduced density of an area of the brain known for suppressing unpleasant sounds. While it’s not entirely dedicated to processing sound, it helps filter information that we don’t want to hear - like a noise canceler.

Secondly, hyperactivity was detected deep within other structures of the brain that we were not aware processed sound at all! The main function of this deep cerebrum structure is to regulate sensory information and create an emotional response, along with formulating memories.

This means in a healthy limbic system any tinnitus or phantom sounds are stopped. The brain cancels it out automatically!

However, in cases where the suppression or noise cancellation system is broken, for reasons that are still unknown, the tinnitus is heard. In some cases it then sends the signal to the limbic system where an emotional feedback loop is created.

Oftentimes tinnitus gets linked to emotional or stressful memories or worries that cause us to relive those memories or worries every time we hear the tinnitus.

The tinnitus can become a constant reminder of a traumatic event like a car accident, a loud noise that caused instantaneous damage like a gunshot, or a fear that the tinnitus is a symptom of a scary condition like a brain tumor. This causes a cycle of guilt, fear, grief, regret or even flashbacks.

What we know is tinnitus is not just an auditory disorder but a physical anatomy response as well. It is recommended for those with recurrent, debilitating tinnitus to explore and validate the true emotional root of the tinnitus.

Tinnitus Activities Treatment, Sound Therapy, and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy are just a few of the methods for treating bothersome or debilitating tinnitus. Hearing HealthCare Centers can help! The first step is to schedule an appointment at the location nearest to you.

Kim McMillan
Administrative Assistant

I was raised in Littleton and have moved away here and there but always come back to Colorado. I live in Loveland and am currently looking for a new home to purchase for me and my dog. The most important thing in my life is my recovery program, if I don’t put that first, I lose everyone and everything in my life including myself. I have been in recovery for 13 years and am blessed beyond measure.

My favorite movie is Shawshank Redemption, and my favorite movie quote isn’t actually a quote, it’s the nummy sound from Young Frankenstein.

My favorite ice cream: I haven’t met one I didn’t enjoy.

Favorite Singer: My all-time favorite singer is Barbra Streisand; she has the most amazing voice.

Vacation Spot: I don’t have a favorite; I’ve enjoyed all the places I’ve been and look forward to new ones.

Color: Purple and Green

Flower: Iris

I love to design and create jewelry, when I get my home, I’ll be able to set up a room for my beads and other supplies. I also love plants and flowers (indoor and outdoor.) I’m looking forward to being able to work in my own yard again and plant the things I love. Also, to be able to set up my house plants (that I moved here) and acquire more.

Serendipity: I was on a waiting list for a brown female miniature poodle. When the litter was born there was only one female, and she was spoken for. It turned out the lady that got her returned her right away because she wouldn’t stop terrorizing her cats. So after being disappointed that I wouldn’t get a dog that time, I got a call a few days later that she was mine!

Something I would never leave the house without: A house key.

A skill I would like to master: I would like to master working with silver and lapidary to create my own designs and do stone setting.

My best find would be myself and self-esteem. I spent a lot of my life not believing in myself and trying to escape me.

Sally, patient in Loveland
Sally was referred to our Loveland audiologist, Dr. Kimberly Hart, by a physician she had been working with in hopes of helping her severe tinnitus. Sally reported that the tinnitus was so loud and debilitating that it caused anxiety and hopelessness. A hearing test and consultation revealed hearing loss in the high pitches, where she experienced the tinnitus.

In Sally’s words, “For the first time in months I was listened to, tested, and shown the tinnitus was exaggerated as a result of an infected tooth. She suggested hearing aids and explained how they work. I was scared but when she put them on me I could not stop crying. The horrible tinnitus, which was so severe it ruined my health, was nearly gone and I could hear everything.”

" The horrible tinnitus ...
was nearly gone and I could hear everything.”

Sally’s success came from a combination of counseling and hearing devices that addressed the voids in her hearing that often goes hand in hand with tinnitus. She credits Dr. Hart with restoring her quality of life.

Rachel, patient in Longmont
Rachel, who is in her early 30s, came for a hearing evaluation due to a recent onset of tinnitus. The tinnitus was creating a lot of stress because it brought up fears from when she had a traumatic ear surgery as a kid as well as the worries that she would be the next in a long line of family members to develop significant hearing loss. Her hearing turned out to be essentially normal.

Tinnitus matching indicated the tinnitus was perceived at approximately 1 decibel above the softest sound she could identify. After Dr. Whitney Swander discussed her results with her and she was assured that she was not going to need surgery or even hearing aids yet, the tinnitus was no longer a trigger for fear and anxiety.

"Rachel left the appointment ... far less bothered by the tinnitus."

Robert, patient in Englewood
Robert came in with extremely bothersome tinnitus. He was on the verge of tears and explained to Dr. Chelsea Bega that the ringing was “controlling his life”. It was evident he was very stressed, anxious, and had his guard up.

Dr. Bega spent time talking with and getting to know Robert. She asked him questions about his life, his family, and shared stories of her own. Slowly but surely, the walls started to come down.

His hearing evaluation revealed a mild hearing loss. Dr. Bega discussed with him the hearing process, correlations of tinnitus to hearing loss, and different treatment options for tinnitus. At this point, Robert was visibly more relaxed, trusting, and open to conversation. It was at that point that he let Dr. Chelsea know of a traumatic event he had recently experienced, around the same time his tinnitus began.

This traumatic event, along with increased social isolation due to the pandemic caused Robert to have high levels of stress. Robert was fit with advanced hearing technology equipped with tinnitus sound therapy. By appropriately treating his hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as addressing the anxiety in his life, Dr. Bega helped him get to the root of his issues and led him to the path to emotional healing.

Today, Robert is a completely different person. He is happier, lighter, and less stressed. He loves his hearing technology and “does not go a day without them”. Through the use of advanced hearing technology, patient-centered counseling, and being the ears that Robert needed, he was able to overcome a lot of emotional obstacles, eliminate the annoyance he feels with his tinnitus, and take control of his life again.