Trusted Tinnitus Management and Assessment in Edmonton
Tinnitus is a common auditory condition that affects many individuals. It often presents as persistent ringing, buzzing, or other phantom sounds in the ears.
Our team of registered audiologists at Wild Rose Audiology Clinic Ltd., is committed to helping patients understand the underlying causes of tinnitus and identify suitable treatment options based on their needs. Contact us to schedule a tinnitus consultation at our clinic.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus refers to the perception of sound when no external sound is present. It may manifest as ringing, buzzing, hissing, or pulsing noises in one or both ears. While it varies in severity, some individuals experience constant tinnitus.
Our team of audiologists understands the multifaceted nature of tinnitus and the importance of early evaluation and intervention. We provide professional assessment and management tailored to each individual.
Contact us to book your tinnitus consultation.
Common Causes of Tinnitus
Tinnitus may arise from a variety of underlying causes, including the following common factors:
- Noise-induced hearing damage: Prolonged or sudden exposure to loud noise can cause lasting inner ear damage and tinnitus.
- Age-related hearing loss: Natural degeneration of hearing with age may contribute to tinnitus.
- Earwax buildup: Excessive wax can block the ear canal, affect normal hearing function and cause tinnitus.
- Medication side effects: Certain drugs, including some antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, may cause or worsen tinnitus.
- Underlying medical conditions: Disorders such as Ménière’s disease, circulatory problems, or TMJ dysfunction can be linked to tinnitus.
Identifying the specific cause is important for developing an appropriate management strategy. Read our blog or contact our team to gain further insights into how tinnitus is managed.
Tinnitus Management Options
Tinnitus management focuses on reducing the perception and impact of symptoms rather than eliminating the sound entirely. Tinntus management depends on the etiology, hearing status, severity, sleep/anxiety impact and the type of tinnitus (one-sided, ringing, pulsatile). Tinnitus management options may include:
- Complete hearing test/audiology assessment and medical review if red flags exist.
- Education and counselling: Understanding how tinnitus mechanisms, trigger identification and practical strategies to manage tinnitus.
- Hearing aids: Amplification devices may be recommended when hearing loss is present, helping to improve overall sound input, reduce tinnitus awareness and listening effort, and include tinnitus programs.
- Sound therapy: External sounds, such as white noise or environmental audio, are introduced to reduce the contrast between tinnitus and silence.
- Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT): A structured approach combining sound therapy with counselling to support habituation to tinnitus over time.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A strong evidence-based approach for tinnitus helping with anxiety, sleep disturbances and attention to tinnitus.
Our tinnitus services focus on audiological assessment, education, counselling, and evidence-based management options within the scope of audiology. While Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and formal Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) are recognized approaches to tinnitus management, these services are not provided at our clinic.
Impact of Tinnitus on Daily Life
Tinnitus may affect various aspects of daily functioning, depending on its severity and persistence. Common effects include:
- Difficulty concentrating: Persistent internal sounds may interfere with attention, particularly in quiet or work-focused environments.
- Sleep disturbances: Tinnitus often becomes more noticeable at night, which may affect the ability to fall or stay asleep.
- Emotional responses: Ongoing symptoms may contribute to stress, frustration, or reduced overall comfort in daily routines.
Clinical management aims to reduce these impacts through structured care strategies. Contact us to schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation, tinnitus assessment/management .
When to Seek Professional Tinnitus Evaluation?
Patients should consider a tinnitus evaluation if they experience the following:
- Persistent ringing or buzzing: Symptoms that continue over time without improvement or a clear cause.
- Sudden onset tinnitus: A noticeable change in auditory perception that occurs without warning.
- Unilateral symptoms: Tinnitus affecting only one ear, which may require further clinical investigation.
- Associated hearing loss: Difficulty hearing speech or environmental sounds, along with tinnitus symptoms.
- Impact on daily activities: Interference with sleep, communication, or concentration in routine settings.
Is Tinnitus Linked to Hearing Loss?
Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, particularly sensorineural types that involve damage to the inner ear. Many individuals with age-related or noise-induced hearing loss report concurrent tinnitus. In such cases, using hearing aids may reduce tinnitus perception by amplifying ambient sound and reducing contrast between background silence and tinnitus.
Meet our team or schedule a consultation to discuss your tinnitus management options.