Tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom resulting from a range of underlying causes. When you suffer from tinnitus, you perceive certain sounds that are generated by the nervous system of the ear and brain. The cause of tinnitus is not fully known and at present no medical treatment exists that can cure it. The sounds are often characterised as hissing, ringing, buzzing, humming or the like.
Hyperacusis is when a person finds it very difficult to tolerate everyday sounds that most other people find perfectly tolerable and natural. These sounds can be traffic noise, kitchen sounds, doors closing, or even loud speech. A person may experience hyperacusis by itself or together with tinnitus. In the same way, a person with hyperacusis may or may not have a hearing loss.
Most professionals focus on two ways of reducing the experience of hyperacusis. One is to listen to soft and comfortable sounds in order to gradually improve the listener’s acceptance of sound levels, and the other is to avoid excessive use of earplugs. Professional counselling is necessary in both cases.
Tinnitus masking hearing aids from Widex Widex developed the Zen programs to help tinnitus sufferers relax and make tinnitus less noticeable.
Music for relaxation
Many people use music for relaxation and stress relief without ever thinking about it. Whether a certain piece of music is stressful or relaxing depends on a range of factors; for example loudness, volume, sudden changes in pitch or tempo, and personal preferences and tastes.
Zen and tinnitus management
Inspired by the relaxing effect of certain types of music, Widex developed the Zen programs. Zen is a unique music program available in some Widex hearing aids. Based on what is known as fractal technology, Zen plays random, chime-like tones that can be used for relaxation and for making tinnitus less noticeable.
Resound Live hearing instrument and Tinnitus Sound Generator (TSG) device that provides fitting flexibility for clinicians, and an innovative TSG solution for users. It can be used as a combination device to address both hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a TSG only, for those individuals struggling with tinnitus only.
There are many different types of tinnitus treatments, resulting in a number of methods to choose from.
One of the most common treatments is sound therapy, also known as acoustic therapy.
Another well-known and heavily practiced tinnitus treatment approach is tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT).
There are also other treatment plans including different psychological and psychiatric models for more severe cases of tinnitus, that have also proven effective.
