Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Hyperacusis, Hearelief
Hearelief understands the distress caused by Tinnitus and Hearing Loss and is here to help with individually-tailored management programs.
Are you troubled by humming, buzzing (like cicadas), screeching or ringing ears?
Does it make you feel tense, irritable or anxious?
Do you have trouble concentrating and sleeping?
Do people sound as if they are mumbling?
Is it hard to hear against backround noise?
An individually-tailored Tinnitus or Hearing Loss management program from Hearelief may help.
Hearelief is an independent audiology practice located in Newcastle NSW.
At Hearelief we provide comprehensive hearing tests for both adults and children over 3 years of age. We use the latest equipment and take time to discuss the results and their implications with you.
We are not affiliated with any single hearing aid manufacturer and can provide un-biased independent advice on the suitability of a wide range of the latest technology hearing aids from all manufacturers. We provide expert fittings of the hearing aids that best suit your needs and circumstance.
Our personalised Tinnitus and Hearing Loss services and programs are tailored to each individual, taking into account not only your hearing loss and /or tinnitus but also your lifestyle and communication needs. We take time to ensure positive outcomes and provide ongoing support and services to all our clients.
Hearelief offers:
- Comprehensive Hearing Tests (Air, Bone and Speech discrimination)
- Hearing aid consultation and fitting.
- Tinnitus assesment and management (offered face to face, by telephone or email)
- Hyperacusis management (offered face to face, by telephone or email)
- Hearing tests for children over 3 years of age.
- Custom made noise protection and swimming ear plugs
- Central auditory processing tests
- Bone anchored hearing aid (Baha) fittings
What is Tinnitus
Tinnitus refers to any noises in your ears or head that occur without an external noise source. People often describe these noises as ringing ears, whistling, humming, buzzing or screeching. Likening these noises to crickets or cicadas is also common. Tinnitus affects people in different ways: some people are not troubled by their tinnitus while others find the sounds intrusive and distressing.
What causes Tinnitus
Tinnitus is not a disease and often occurs in people with normal hearing. Whilst, the mechanisms that cause tinnitus are not well understood, it has been associated with:
- Exposure to loud noises
- Hearing Loss
- Middle ear infections and disease
- Ear wax impaction
- Head injuries
- Barrow trauma
- Jaw problems
- High levels of stress
- Some medications
Tinnitus may rarely be associated with a growth on the hearing nerve which requires referral to an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist.
Common Responses To Tinnitus
Tinnitus can be a chronic condition that affects people of all ages and from all walks of life. In mild cases people habituate to (learn to ignore) it very quickly. In more severe cases, tinnitus can disrupt a person's enjoyment of life and lead to distress, withdrawal from society and sensitivity to noise (hyperacusis). If this occurs, it is important to seek professional help.
Symptoms that people often experience in association with tinnitus include distress, difficulty sleeping, irritability, poor concentration, mood swings, frustration, anxiety attacks, tension and depression. These symptoms are related to a subconcious emotional response to tinnitus. Promises of a tinnitus cure are usually misleading, however, learning how to manage your tinnitus and the associated emotional responses will assist you to overcome your tinnitus distress.