Tinnitus, a widespread phenomenon, affects millions of people in Germany, with most people experiencing at least temporary ringing in the ears. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the topic of tinnitus, its definition, the different degrees of distress and the various treatment methods and their scientific evaluation.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external sound source. It is an auditory perception that does not include hearing voices or melodies.
The sounds can be perceived in different tones and frequencies and can occur either in one or both ears. Tinnitus is categorized into different grades, which can range from a barely perceptible, non-disturbing noise (grade 1) to a condition that severely restricts emotional and cognitive capacity and can even lead to occupational incapacity (grade 4).
The duration of the tinnitus is also an important distinguishing feature, with ear noises that last up to three months being classified as acute and those that last longer as chronic.
Tinnitus treatment options
The choice of treatment method depends on the cause, severity and accompanying illnesses. The German Society for Ear, Nose and Throat Medicine, Head and Neck Surgery has examined and evaluated various treatment approaches.
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Counseling: This method involves educating those affected about the causes of tinnitus and developing strategies for dealing with the stress.
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Hearing loss interventions: These include hearing aids and tinnitus retraining therapy, which can help to ease habituation to the tinnitus.
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Hearing therapy: This method trains hearing perception and helps sufferers to distinguish sound events more consciously from ringing in the ears.
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Behavioral therapy and psychodynamically oriented methods: These approaches aim to change the attitude towards tinnitus and achieve better understanding and acceptance.
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Music therapy approaches and sound therapy: These forms of treatment use music and other sounds to retrain the brain in its perception.
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Drugs: Steroids are recommended for acute tinnitus with sudden hearing loss, but there are no specific drugs approved by the EMA or FDA for tinnitus treatment.
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Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and electrical stimulation: These methods aim to stimulate specific structures in the brain, but have had mixed scientific results.
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Manual medical examination and physiotherapy: These approaches can help with tinnitus caused by tension or other factors in the cervical spine and masticatory system.
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Nutritional supplements and acupuncture: Although these methods are popular, there is limited scientific evidence of their effectiveness in treating tinnitus.
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Support groups and apps: These can be helpful on an individual basis, but it is important to check their scientific basis.
Conclusion
There is no universal approach to treating tinnitus. A combination of different methods may be most effective depending on individual needs and circumstances. It is important to remain critical and not be seduced by unproven promises of a cure. A balanced treatment that takes into account both psychological and physiological aspects is often the best way to deal with tinnitus.