Sound therapy is appreciated for its non-invasive approach to a wide range of conditions, including tinnitus. Read on to find out more.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the term that describes the ringing or humming sounds that can afflict people of all ages. It is not classified as a condition; rather it is a symptom of a defect in our hearing, and can occur in one or both ears. There is no specific cause of tinnitus, though extended exposure to loud noise and infections of the middle ear are both thought to contribute to its onset. Individuals exposed to loud noise in their working environment, on a daily basis, are often affected. Other causes can include exposure to stress, fatigue, ageing, head trauma and certain prescription medicines.
For more information see Understanding Tinnitus.
Tinnitus Symptoms
Tinnitus can be characterised by a wide variety of sounds which often appear to be coming from an external source. These can include ringing, hissing, buzzing, whistling and roaring; with dizziness, headaches and even nausea experienced by some sufferers. The nature and volume of the sounds can also vary widely from person to person.
What is Sound Therapy?
Sound therapy is conducted using specially formulated audio programs, which utilise alternating high and low frequencies which are played over a set of headphones. This is intended to retrain the brain to hear and process sound frequencies which it has been conditioned to ignore. It is basically an audio gym for the ear, providing the muscles of the middle and inner ear with a workout. The theory is that the gradual conditioning of these muscles will lead to a rehabilitation of hearing. This can in turn improve other aspects of a sufferer’s life, including speech and learning capacity – which are intrinsically linked to the proper functioning of our hearing facilities.
For more information about sound therapy, see sound therapy for hearing loss.
Sound Therapy Conditions
Sound therapy has been used to treat a wide range of other conditions besides tinnitus, including:
- Hearing loss
- Speech impediments
- Learning development
- Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
- Central auditory processing disorder
Find a potential source of relief for your tinnitus on the pages of this site, including sound therapists in your area.
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