Tinnitus

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the medical term for the sensation of hearing sound in your ears when no external sound is present. Tinnitus effects 50 million Americans (nearly one in six of us). Most sufferers describe the sound as “ringing in ears,” though others describe it as hissing, buzzing, whistling, roaring and even chirping.

For some, tinnitus is mild and an intermittent annoyance. For others, it’s severe and can have a profound effect on their quality of life. But for everyone, finding tinnitus relief is a high priority.

What causes tinnitus?

Scientists and health experts don’t know the exact physical cause of tinnitus, but several sources are known to trigger or make it worse, including:

• Loud noises and hearing loss – Exposure to loud noises can destroy the non-regenerative cilia (tiny hairs) in the cochlea, causing permanent tinnitus and/or hearing loss.
• Aging – As you age, those same cilia gradually deteriorate, which can lead to tinnitus and/or hearing loss.
• Ototoxic medications – Some prescription medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and antidepressants are harmful to the inner ear as well as the nerve fibers connecting the cochlea to the brain.
• Hearing conditions – Conditions such as otosclerosis and Ménière’s disease are known to cause tinnitus.
• Health conditions – Tinnitus can also be a symptom of health conditions like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stress and head injuries.

Is there a cure for tinnitus?

Currently, there is no known tinnitus cure. But according to the American Tinnitus Association, there are recommended ways to get tinnitus relief, including counseling and sound therapy.

Starkey’s proven tinnitus products are an effective part of any sound therapy as they utilize a customizable and comforting sound stimulus that soothes the annoying noises associated with tinnitus and takes your mind off it.

What should you do if you have tinnitus?

Since the exact cause of tinnitus is not known, it’s recommended you visit a hearing healthcare professional for a clinical evaluation. Specialized tests are performed to diagnose tinnitus — and a treatment protocol can be prescribed and administered to help you finally find relief!

Customized tinnitus relief

Tinnitus is different for everyone. Our Multiflex Tinnitus Technology delivers personalized relief.

Starkey Hearing Technologies, a leader in hearing health technology, offers customized tinnitus relief options. Whether your tinnitus is mild or severe, intermittent or all day, sounds like crickets or a buzzing saw, our professionals will tailor our patented Multiflex Tinnitus Technology to your specific and unique conditions — get your mind off your tinnitus and get your life back. Learn more.

How it works

Using Starkey’s patent-pending Multiflex Tinnitus Technology, Starkey tinnitus products create a customizable and comforting sound stimulus that you and your hearing professional can fine-tune to soothe the unique, irritating sounds you hear and take your focus off of it.