What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a Latin word, it means ringing. Tinnitus is the perception of sounds in one or both ears and in rare cases in the head when there is no external source of noise. Tinnitus patients perceive different sounds in their ears and heads on an occasional or constant basis. This noise may be, for example humming, clicking, hissing, whistling or roaring. Some people describe it as a noise similar to the buzzing of high voltage cables, rippling water or to the sound generated by airplanes or engines. Several different noises may be perceived simultaneously in the ears and in the head. The loudness of the sound perceived is very specific and may frequently vary. In general, tinnitus is the least tolerable in a calm and quiet environment. If tinnitus becomes persistent, it may interfere with sleep, damage concentration and cause more and more problems in everyday life.

Tinnitus is not a single disease, it is a symptom that has two different types:

• The type when an individual other than the patient can also hear the sound using a stethoscope is called objective tinnitus.
• The type of tinnitus when the sound is not heard by others and is impossible to measure with any physical instrument is called subjective tinnitus. This type is more common, everyday medical practice treats almost exclusively patients suffering from subjective tinnitus.

Tinnitus causes
Obejctive tinnitus is usually caused by the vascular abnormalities of the carotid artery and the jugular venous systems or the excessive muscle contractions of the middle ear and the palate. Objective tinnitus is very rare.

Subjective tinnitus may have numerous causes:

• otologic disorders: such as cerumen impaction, middle ear infections, fülkürt hurut, otosclerosis, inner ear disorders caused by exposure to excessive or loud sound (dance clubs, crackers, shooting, noisy workplace), injuries, Meniere’s diseases, acoustic neuroma (bening tumour);
• skull and brain injuries; 
• certain disorders of the central nervous system; 
• metabolic disorders, e.g. diabetes; 
• circulatory abnormalities; 
• side effects of certain medications: these medications are however indispensable for treating the given condition;
• infectious diseases; 
• malformations of the locomotor system: in particular of the jugular spine, neck and shoulder muscles; 
• recreational drugs: alcohol, coffeine, nicotine; 
• dental problems; 
• malformations of the mandibular joint; 
• stress, anxiety;

What to do when you notice tinnitus?
The most important thing to do is to see an otolaryngologist without delay. You must not wait for your tinnitus to disappear!

Your tinnitus may be caused by a simple and easily treatable problem and if that problem is removed, your tinnitus will also disappear.

It is also possible that a more severe, well-treatable, curable disease causes your tinnitus. The improvement of the metabolic interactions between the cerebral circulation and the sensory cells in the inner ear with the help of infusions will stop or significantly reduce ringing in your ears or head.

You must note, however, that the longer you have tinnitus, the more difficult it will be to define its cause and your doctor may not be able to tell you what exactly caused your tinnitus.

Tinnitus treatment
Our Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) relies on the use of electronic appliances and relaxation trainings. In certain cases, the therapy may involve some effective medications as well.  

TRT support appliances
An underlying principle of TRT is that silence must be evaded. For this reason, Noisers play an essential role in TRT. Noisers are electronic therapeutical instruments that generate noise. Similarly to hearing aids, these instruments are worn inside the ear.

Noisers transmit constant, soft, broadband sound into the ear. Out of these broadband sounds, the so-called pink noise is the most comfortable sound for our brains (it is like whispering, listening to ocean waves). There is a volume control option, tinnitus must not be masked as it was the case with masker instruments in the past because it plays a vital role in the success of the therapy. Noisers do not amplify external sounds. They do not affect hearing either as they do not block the external ear canal.

Certain instruments are suitable for night wear as well to reduce tinnitus preventing patients from falling asleep or waking them during the night.

Noiser types:

• A small-sized noiser that fits in the external ear canal and insures adequate ventillation.
• Cymba instrument that fits into a small hollow of the outer ear above the opening of the auditory canal and insures entirely open fitting in case of undamaged or slightly damaged hearing.