Flexible Appointments
Highly Qualified
Personalised Care
TINNITUS
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the conscious awareness of sound without an external stimulus. It can be a ringing sound, buzzing, rushing and for some people, even musical. Tinnitus can be experienced in the head or in one or both ears. It is one of the commonest physical symptoms and affects men and women equally.
Our ears are only one part of the auditory system. The ear or pinna funnels sound waves from the air, through the ear canal (auditory meatus) onto the ear drum (tympanic membrane), causing it to vibrate. Behind the ear drum are the ossicles, commonly known as the hammer, anvil and stirrup that contract and relax to the vibration of the ear drum. The sound is then transferred to the inner ear. In the inner ear you have the cochlear, which has a special frequency organisation allowing us to hear high frequency sounds differently to low frequency sounds. Sound from the cochlea is then converted into electrical energy that travels up the nerve to then be processed by the central auditory system in the brain for us to interpret.
HEARING LOSS AND TINNITUS
What Does Our Anatomy Tell Us About Tinnitus?
Why do we hear a sound that isn’t externally there? Some theories suggest that damage to the cells in the cochlear in our inner ear e.g. through noise exposure or ageing causes the cochlear to spontaneously fire a signal, resulting in an internal sound. When it reaches the central auditory system it is our reaction to the sound and whether we perceive it as a threat that can result in troublesome tinnitus. If we feel anxious because of it, we then focus on it more, resulting in a vicious cycle.
Quite often, people with tinnitus have some hearing loss. The hearing loss can be a result of ageing, through trauma or even work related noise exposure. If there is a hearing loss then managing the hearing loss with a hearing aid would be one of the first steps. Generally, if you can hear sounds around you better, then you are less likely to focus on internal sounds. If you feel you are missing parts of speech or struggling to hear in some situations it is worth having your hearing assessed so that you have an understanding of your hearing levels and how it may affect your tinnitus.
Common Causes Of Tinnitus
Sudden sensorinueral hearing loss
Sudden hearing loss can be due to a viral infection or autoimmune disease. Damage to the cells in the inner ear has a similar effect to that of ageing.
Hearing loss with age
As you get older, usually by the time you are fifty, the cells within the inner ear are damaged due to wear and tear, resulting in hearing loss. This is called Presbyacusis or Presbycusis. This might explain why tinnitus is most prevalent in those over sixty.
Otosclerosis
A condition where there is a bony overgrowth of the stapes bone (also known as the stirrup), in the middle ear. The restricted movement results in a reduction in sound energy and therefore, the sound has to be louder in order to reach the middle ear. Patients can undergo surgery- a stapedectomy. This is a relatively uncommon cause of tinnitus.
Noise Exposure
Prolonged exposure to loud noise either through work or recreation can cause cell damage similar to that of ageing. If the sound is loud and intense enough such as gunshot or bomb blast, hearing loss can be sudden. Hearing tests results usually reveal a dip at 4KHz. You can prevent damage to your hearing and reduce the risk of tinnitus bu using custom ear protection.
Smoking
There is some suggestion that smoking increases the chances of hearing loss and tinnitus. Smoking is linked with cardiovascular disease and can reduce the amount of oxygen delivered to the cells in the inner ear, resulting in cell death. There may also be a link with higher stress levels in smokers.
Meniere's Disease
A balance condition thought to be caused by abnormal levels of sodium and postassium in the inner ear. It may be caused by a viral infection or could be autoimmune, resulting in a low frequency hearing loss which is fluctuating; this fluctuation in hearing eventually stops and the patient is left with a permanent hearing loss. Aural fullness and commonly a low frequency tinnitus sound is the warning sign that the patient is about to feel dizzy.
Acoustic Neuroma
An acoustic neuroma is a benign (non-cancerous) growth on the eighth cranial nerve. Patients usually present with unilateral tinnitus and an asymmetry in hearing and can also sometimes feel dizzy.
Earwax
Ear wax or cerumen helps to keep the ear healthy and provides lubrication. If it builds up it can cause a blockage of sound so that you hear internal sounds much more, resulting in tinnitus, though it is uncommon.
Drugs
Tinnitus can be a result of medication such as anti-inflammatory drugs like Aspirin (in high doses) or Ibuprofen. Quinine (an anti-malarial drug), some antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs may also result in tinnitus.
What Are The Treatment Methods For Tinnitus?
At PinnaClear we offer breathing and relaxation sessions along with mindfulness behavioural therapy for tinnitus. The initial assessment involves taking a through history along with a hearing check to establish the effects of tinnitus on your daily life. The results and suitability of onward care will then be discussed with you.
Tinnitus is usually linked to anxious and negative thoughts. Breathing well stimulates the activity of our vagus nerve resulting in a calmer you and being more mindful can help you to change the relationship you currently have with tinnitus.
20 Years of
clinical experience
Licensed and certified with First Class BSc (Hons) in Audiology
Trained in microsuction earwax removal & behavioural therapy for tinnitus
Experience working within the NHS and private sector
Rated Excellent
Very professional service, I had a lot of ear wax and also a funny sensation in one ear which Hafiza took the time to explain and show me what was going on. Professionally cleaned, my ears and I are very happy 🙂
Raneesha Manoharan
Rated Excellent
Great service, well explained, well delivered, very pleased with outcome. I would recommend to anyone.
Lee Goulden
Rated Excellent
Very happy with the service at Pinnaclear. Hafiza was absolutely lovely and explained everything clearly before, during and after the treatment. Extremely pleased with the result and can now hear clearly again. Thank you
Tracey Carey
Why our customers choose us
An PinnaClear we aim to provide an audiology service that offers a personalised and holistic approach to hearing health. We combine cutting-edge technology with experienced professionals to provide accurate treatment plans to empower individuals to fully engage in their daily lives with optimal hearing clarity.
-
Why do I get ringing in my ears?Ringing in ears (or head) is also known as tinnitus. This is a sound that usually occurs inside, without an external sound source. Tinnitus can occur for a number of reasons but the most common reason people experience tinnitus is due to reduced hearing levels. The first step would be to arrange a hearing assessment.
-
Do I need to soften my earwax before getting them cleaned?Unlike syringing, most people don't need soft wax for microsuction earwax removal to be successful. However, using a softening agent such as olive oil can mean a quicker and more comfortable microsuction earwax removal procedure.
-
What are the common hearing loss signs and symptoms?Patients usually report difficulty in hearing conversation, particularly in busy social settings. Quite often, family and friends notice hearing difficulties first. If you feel your hearing is deteriorating, then a hearing assessment will indicate the degree of hearing loss. The audiologist will then advise on the best treatment plan for you.
-
Can I get an invisible hearing aid?Hearing aids have advanced massively over the years; they are available in a range of colours and sizes. The type suitable for you will depend on a number of factors such as the shape of your ear canal and the degree of hearing loss. Your audiologist will advise on the best type of hearing aid for you, book an appointment today.
-
What is microsuction earwax removal?Microsuction earwax removal is the removal of stubborn earwax using a suction device. The procedure is performed by trained professionals and involves wearing some magnifiers to make it easier to view the wax and eardrum.
-
Do I need to soften the wax with olive oil before microsuction?Unlike syringing, softening earwax the same way isn’t necessary. However, it can mean the procedure is more comfortable, particularly if the wax is stuck against the ear canal.
-
What is the best way to clean your ears?Ears will naturally withdraw any earwax. If you do not have any pre-existing medical ear conditions you can use a little bit of olive oil to help soften any earwax and clean your ears. If you have earwax that is causing your hearing aid to whistle or cauging you discomfort then it is best to get your ears cleaned professionally.
-
How much does ear cleaning cost?The current charges at PinnaClear are £50 to £70, depending on the location and whether it is one or both ears that need cleaning. Home visits vary depending on the distance needing to be travelled.
-
Is microsuction earwax removal safe?As with any medical procedure, there are always risks involved. These risks are minimised by providing an accurate medical history and booking in with an experienced, fully trained professional.
-
What is the difference between going to Specsavers and coming to PinnaClear?The main difference is the level of training and experience. Quite often, the staff at Specsavers are minimally trained as hearcare assistants or hearing aid dispensers and will usually work off a checklist. At PinnaClear, all services are offered by a senior audiologist with several years of NHS and private audiology work.
-
Will the wax come out by itself if I just use olive oil?Olive oil ear drops can help to soften any ear wax so that it can naturally work its way out. If there is too much earwax or the wax is hard and impacted against the ear drum, the olive oil will soften the wax and help with professional microsuction ear wax removal.
-
Do hopi ear candles work?There is a misconception that hopi ear candles help to draw wax out of the ears, however, several studies have shown that this is not the case and instead hopi candles leave residue inside the ears, increasing risk of infection. There is also an increased risk of burning the ear with incorrectly performed procedures. This is also an unregulated procedure which means the risks can vary greatly.
-
Is it ok to use cotton buds?The skin inside our ears is very sensitive and cotton buds peel away at the protective layer in our ears. If there is wax it can become impacted as you push wax deeper against the ear drum. This can reduce your hearing and cause pressure inside your ears.