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The UNC HCC offers a comprehensive tinnitus evaluation for further assessing the nature and severity of your tinnitus.

About 10% of the US population experiences tinnitus (NIDCD, 2010) – that’s almost 23 million people! Tinnitus can be described in any number of ways: a high pitch ringing, buzzing, roaring, or even insects humming. The anatomical origin of tinnitus is not well understood but is believed to result from damage to the primary hearing organ, the cochlea. False signals of sound are then relayed from the ear to the brain and perceived as tinnitus. Tinnitus is often a symptom of something else, not limited to: hearing loss, ototoxic medications, wax buildup, hypertension, loud noise exposure, etc.

Tinnitus and hearing loss are highly correlated; so even if tinnitus is your primary concern, a comprehensive hearing evaluation is a good place to start. For many, treating the underlying hearing loss provides relief or a reduction of one’s tinnitus. The UNC HCC offers a comprehensive tinnitus evaluation for further assessing the nature and severity of your tinnitus. A personalize management plan will be developed by you and your provider to give you concrete strategies for improving your quality of life. You are not without options!

 

During a tinnitus evaluation the audiologist will:

  • Provide several tinnitus questionnaires and surveys
  • Match the loudness and pitch of your tinnitus
  • Establish effective masking levels of your tinnitus
  • Provide counseling and management strategies, including noise generators, smartphone apps, and guidebooks

If are concerned about your tinnitus or find it bothersome for communication or activities of daily living, we strongly encourage you to take this step to improving your well-being. Schedule a comprehensive tinnitus evaluation today!

Read more about Tinnitus Management at UNC Health Talk

Hearing Aids & Tinnitus

Patients with hearing loss and tinnitus can often find relief from their tinnitus with the use of hearing aids. A 2007 study of hearing health professionals, found that roughly 60% of tinnitus patients experienced some relief from their tinnitus when wearing hearing aids and approximately 22% of patients found significant relief. Modern hearing aids often have additional special features for managing tinnitus. Discuss your options with your Audiologist today. You can also explore free phone apps which generate masking noises and sounds. Read more about Tinnitus Masking.

Webinar on Tinnitus

Separate fact from fiction by watching this informative webinar!

Sound Sensitivity

Some individuals with tinnitus also experience severe sound sensitivity or abnormal perception of sounds. Audiologists also assess and manage these symptoms. You can learn more about these conditions through this webinar.