Are you experiencing ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sounds in your ears? You're not alone. Nearly 50 million Americans deal with tinnitus, and for 20 million, these phantom sounds are a chronic concern. Veterans are particularly affected, with 60% of those returning from conflict zones reporting tinnitus alongside hearing loss.

These sounds can make everyday activities challenging, affecting concentration during work meetings or making it difficult to enjoy quiet moments with family. We understand how frustrating and isolating tinnitus can feel - many of our patients initially think they're the only ones experiencing these persistent sounds. As audiologists who work with tinnitus patients daily, we see the real impact it has on quality of life.

The good news is that modern hearing technology has made significant strides in tinnitus management. Our practice stays at the forefront of these advancements, offering solutions that can help reduce the impact of tinnitus on your daily life. With a combination of proper hearing care, sound therapy, and personalized management strategies, many of our patients find significant relief from their tinnitus symptoms and return to activities they thought they might have to give up.

What Does Tinnitus Sound Like?

These phantom sounds can appear in one or both ears and may change throughout the day. Each person's experience is unique - some describe it as ringing, while others hear clicking, humming, or rushing sounds. Many of our patients tell us tinnitus disrupts their sleep, makes it hard to concentrate, and increases their stress levels. Some even experience anxiety or depression as these sounds persist.

The Hearing Loss Connection

About 80-90% of people with tinnitus also have some degree of hearing loss. This isn't just a coincidence. When the delicate hair cells in our inner ears become damaged, they can malfunction and send incorrect signals to our brain. Our brain interprets these signals as sound, even though there's no external source.

This connection between hearing loss and tinnitus explains why addressing hearing loss often helps reduce tinnitus symptoms. Think of it like a radio - when the volume is too low, the static becomes more noticeable. Similarly, when hearing loss goes untreated, your brain may become more aware of the tinnitus sounds. By properly treating hearing loss with well-fitted hearing aids, many people find their tinnitus becomes less noticeable as their brain focuses on the restored environmental sounds.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Many factors can trigger or worsen tinnitus:

• Built-up earwax blocking the ear canal
• Side effects from certain medications
• Inner ear conditions like Meniere's disease
• Physical injuries affecting the head or neck
• Changes in hormone levels
• Exposure to loud sounds
• High stress levels

Modern Hearing Aid Solutions

Today's hearing aids offer sophisticated ways to manage tinnitus. At our practice, we work with several leading manufacturers who have developed effective tinnitus management features in their devices:

• Starkey Edge AI and Genesis AI: These devices use Multiflex Tinnitus Technology, which lets you customize sound therapy through your smartphone. You can adjust the sounds throughout the day as your tinnitus changes.
• Widex Moment Sheer: This hearing aid brings a fresh approach with its SoundRelax feature. It uses special fractal sounds that help you focus better and feel more relaxed. When combined with their PureSound technology, you get clear sound quality no matter your level of hearing loss.
• ReSound Nexia: The Nexia's tinnitus tools work through their Smart 3D app. You can personalize your sound therapy while maintaining clear hearing for daily activities.
• Oticon Intent: Intent hearing aids include customizable tinnitus sound support. You can fine-tune these features through their app to find what works best for you.
• Signia IX: Both styles of the IX - the Pure Charge&Go and Silk Charge&Go - come with tinnitus therapy options that you can adjust through their app as needed.

How Hearing Aids Help

Modern hearing aids help with tinnitus in three main ways:

• They amplify everyday sounds properly, helping your brain focus on real sounds instead of the phantom ones
• They can play soothing sounds that mix with your tinnitus, making it less noticeable
• By making hearing easier, they reduce stress - which often helps decrease tinnitus awareness

Breaking the Stress Cycle

Many of our patients notice their tinnitus gets worse when they're stressed, which then causes more stress. We help you break this cycle through:

• Regular exercise recommendations
• Better sleep habits
• Stress-reduction activities
• Relaxing hobbies
• Meditation or yoga, if you're interested

Creating a Personal Path to Relief

Managing tinnitus works best when we combine several approaches that fit your lifestyle. Think of it as building a toolkit - one where each tool plays a unique role in helping you cope with tinnitus. Many of our patients find great success with cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches practical ways to change how you respond to tinnitus sounds. Some discover that simple breathing exercises help them relax when tinnitus feels overwhelming.

Sound therapy has become a game-changer for many people we work with. Whether it's through specialized devices or simple background sounds, having the right audio environment can make a world of difference. We've seen patients transform their nights by using gentle background sounds that make tinnitus less noticeable during quiet hours.

Your daily routines play a bigger role than you might think in managing tinnitus. We've worked with patients who noticed significant improvements just by adjusting their sleep patterns and being mindful of their caffeine intake. Physical activity doesn't have to mean running marathons - even a daily walk can help improve circulation and potentially reduce tinnitus awareness. During your visits, we'll check your ears regularly and remove any excess earwax that might be affecting your hearing or tinnitus.

The Right Fit Makes a Difference

Dr. Norgaard uses Real Ear Measurement when fitting hearing aids - the gold standard in hearing aid fitting. This precise measurement ensures your hearing aids are providing the right amount of sound across all frequencies, which is crucial for both better hearing and tinnitus management.

Having worn hearing aids since age 3, Dr. Norgaard brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to helping you manage tinnitus. She knows firsthand how proper hearing care can transform daily life.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Living with tinnitus is challenging, but you don't have to face it alone. We're here to help you find the right solution for your specific situation. Call our Sioux Falls office at 605-306-3050 to schedule a consultation. Together, we can develop a plan to help you manage your tinnitus and get back to enjoying life's moments.