Tinnitus Treatments

at Allergy & ENT Associates of Middle TN

There is currently no universal cure for tinnitus, but there are effective treatments that can make it significantly less disruptive. Because tinnitus is typically a symptom of an underlying condition, identifying the cause may lead to a medical or surgical solution. Cure rates for pulsatile tinnitus are often high once the underlying issue is identified and treated.


In many cases, however, the exact cause of tinnitus cannot be identified or directly treated. Even so, symptoms can often be successfully managed through a variety of proven treatment strategies.

How Tinnitus Treatments Can Help

Tinnitus treatments are designed to reduce awareness of ringing or noise in the ears and improve quality of life. Benefits may include:


  • Reduced perception of tinnitus sounds


  • Improved concentration and focus



  • Better sleep quality


  • Reduced stress and anxiety


  • Improved communication and hearing clarity
     

Treatment plans are personalized based on symptom severity, hearing status, and underlying conditions.

Treatment Options for Tinnitus

Acoustic Therapy


Acoustic therapy uses external sounds to mask or cover tinnitus, helping the brain focus on other auditory input. This can make tinnitus less noticeable and easier to ignore. Common sound sources include:


  • White noise machines


  • Fans or air conditioners


  • Soft background music

These sounds help distract the brain and reduce the prominence of ringing or buzzing.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy



Tinnitus retraining therapy is similar to acoustic therapy but uses a portable sound generator that produces soft, patterned tones. Over time, this approach helps desensitize the brain to tinnitus sounds and reduces their impact.

Steroid Injections


For patients with Ménière’s disease (also known as endolymphatic hydrops), tinnitus may fluctuate due to increased fluid pressure in the inner ear. This condition is associated with hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo.


In these cases, tinnitus may be treated with a series of dexamethasone steroid injections, which have shown up to an 85 percent reduction in tinnitus symptoms.

Surgery


In patients with an acoustic neuroma, tinnitus may improve following surgical removal of the tumor. In a 1981 research study involving more than 400 patients, approximately 45 percent experienced improvement in tinnitus after surgical treatment.

Hearing Aids


Hearing loss can cause maladaptive neuroplastic changes in the brain that contribute to tinnitus. Hearing aids stimulate the auditory pathways and introduce background sounds that can help mask tinnitus.


Hearing aids may also improve sound clarity, communication, focus, and concentration. Many modern devices include built-in noise generators when amplification alone does not sufficiently reduce tinnitus symptoms.

Counseling and Supportive Therapy



Counseling, sleep strategies, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relaxation techniques can be effective in managing tinnitus-related stress, anxiety, and sleep disruption. Providers at Allergy & ENT Associates teach practical methods to help patients cope with tinnitus and improve daily functioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can tinnitus be cured?

    While there is no universal cure, many patients experience significant symptom relief through proper treatment and management strategies.

  • Which tinnitus treatment is best?

    The best treatment depends on the cause of tinnitus, hearing status, and symptom severity. Your ENT specialist will help determine the most appropriate options.

  • Can stress make tinnitus worse?

    Yes. Stress and anxiety can intensify tinnitus perception, which is why counseling and relaxation techniques are often beneficial.

Do you experience ringing in your ears? You’re not alone. Tinnitus affects an estimated 50 million Americans, or about 20 percent of the population, and can range from mild to life-altering.


Call Allergy & ENT Associates at (615) 889-8802  to learn more or schedule an appointment.