vv vTinnitus is the term for noises which are heard 'in the ears' or 'in the head' - buzzing, ringing, whistling, hissing, pulsing and other sounds which do not come from an external source.

vv vTinnitus is extremely common. Most people will experience tinnitus at some time in their lives, but it usually only lasts for a short period. Around 10 per cent of the population experience persistent tinnitus and one per cent will be severely bothered by it.

vv vWhat causes tinnitus?

vv vAlthough tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, the presence of tinnitus does not mean the person is going deaf. Nor will the tinnitus itself cause a hearing loss or other illnesses.

vv vThere are a number of causes which may provide the initial trigger including:

• middle ear infection
• dental or jaw problems
• some medications
• exposure to loud noises
• inner ear damage.

vv vWhat effect does tinnitus have?

vv vAround one per cent of people have troublesome tinnitus. Unnecessary fears about damage to the ear or brain, or that one is going to be stuck with the problem for life, can lead to the sub-conscious focussing on the small tinnitus signals coming from the ear, creating feelings of annoyance, apprehension or even anxiety or depression.

vv vTinnitus is more common in hearing-impaired people, but not because the inner ear is below par. If you are hard of hearing, communication is often a strain. This 'straining to hear' focuses the subconscious to pick up anything coming from the inner ear.

vv vWhat can be done about tinnitus?

vv vIf you have tinnitus, the first step is to consult your doctor who may refer you to an Ear Nose and Throat specialist to investigate the cause. An audiologist can also assist by assessing your hearing and providing more information about hearing loss.

vv vIf you have a hearing loss, wearing a hearing device will help ease the strain of hearing and help you gradually ignore the tinnitus.

vv vMany people find they can manage their tinnitus better by:

• learning relaxation techniques and reducing the level of stress in their lives
• introducing some low-level background noise, such as music or even an open window, to help mask the tinnitus.

vv vAustralian Hearing's programs

vv vOur programs include:

• education about tinnitus
• measurement of its impact on a person's life
• hearing assessment
• hearing aid fitting if appropriate
• counselling and management strategies for getting used to the tinnitus.

Support for sufferers

vv vThere are tinnitus support groups in most states, including the Australian Tinnitus Association.

vv vPeople who have tinnitus should know that tinnitus can diminish over time.