Tinnitus Treatment in Singapore
Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing ringing, buzzing, hissing, chirping, whistling or other noises in one or both ears even when there is no external sound. This noise can be intermittent or continuous and can also vary in volume.
Schedule a hearing test at Hearing Partners Singapore to understand more about your symptoms.
Signs of Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the perception of a sound from a source that is outside of the individual’s body. Different individuals experience the signs of tinnitus differently — some may experience all or most of them, while some may only experience one or two.
Here are some of the common signs:
- Ringing in the ear — may be high pitched and/or in one ear only
- Buzzing, crackling, popping or whooshing sounds in the ear
- Hearing heartbeat in ears
- Blocked ears
Types of Tinnitus
Subjective tinnitus
What it is:
Individuals experiencing subjective tinnitus hear noises such as ringing, cracking or buzzing. These sounds are only heard by the individual and not others.
How common it is:
This type of tinnitus is more common as it accounts for 95% of all tinnitus cases1.
Causes of subjective tinnitus
Subjective tinnitus is likely hearing-related and often indicates an issue with one’s hearing health. These are some common causes:
- Hearing loss
- Natural ageing process
- Ear infections
- Damage to the ears (e.g. ruptured eardrum)
- Excessive exposure to loud noises (e.g. from concerts, construction work, gunfire)
- Emotional distress
Objective tinnitus
What it is:
Objective tinnitus is a type of tinnitus that is audible and identifiable externally. Some individuals experiencing this may hear pulsing noises that are in rhythm with the individual’s blood flow or pulse near the ear tissue.
How common it is:
Objective tinnitus is rare and accounts for less than 5% of all tinnitus cases1.
Causes of objective tinnitus
Causes of objective tinnitus are usually not related to hearing. In fact, it is often a symptom of an underlying health condition. These are some common causes:
- Injuries to the head or neck
- Medical conditions (e.g. Meniere’s disease, circulatory disorders, diabetes, overactive thyroid)
- Contraction of the carotid artery
- Benign intracranial hypertension
- Jaw joint misalignment
- Twitching in the ear muscles or throat
Note: This list of causes is non-exhaustive.
Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
Tinnitus and hearing loss often coexist with one another. In fact, 80% of individuals with this symptom also suffer from hearing loss despite being unaware of it2.
For example, you may hear noises only in one ear if you are experiencing hearing loss in that same ear. On the other hand, you may hear a hissing or high-pitched ringing if you have difficulties hearing high-frequency sounds.
Tinnitus Treatment by Hearing Partners
Our audiologists at Hearing Partners will assess the potential need for a medical examination and/or audiologic intervention. The need for referral is identified based on your case history and results from audiological tests such as Pure Tone Audiometry, Speech Test, or Immittance Test.
Based on your condition, you may be recommended to use Oticon hearing aids with Tinnitus SoundSupport™.
Tinnitus Sound Support™
Tinnitus SoundSupport™ is a unique solution designed to help manage your tinnitus using a wide range of relief sounds.
You can discreetly control and adjust the sounds using the Oticon ON app according to your needs. You can even stream music, podcasts and audiobooks through your wireless hearing aids.
With Tinnitus SoundSupport™, you can better manage your condition and reduce its impact on your life.
Why Choose Hearing Partners?
Knowledgeable and professional
With over a century of experience in this field, our team of professionals will pay attention to your needs at every step of your journey and ensure a stress-free experience.
Extensive range of hearing solutions
Here at Hearing Partners, we carry a wide range of hearing solutions. Different series of hearing devices are available for both adults and children with varying needs and conditions.
Trusted hearing services
We seek to provide the best service to all our clients and help them achieve a better quality of life by restoring their hearing. Since our founding, we have fitted more than 15,000 patients.
Singapore’s largest team of audiologists
9 convenient locations islandwide
Fitted more than 15,000 patients
Wide range of services and hearing products
Customer Reviews
“Lee Lee is very patient in answering all the queries that my grandpa has and explaining in simple terms so he could understand how to use the hearing aid.”
Vivien Ho
“I would like to commend Si Hui for going the extra mile for my family and daughter. Top notch customer service with a smile. She is clearly passionate about her job.”
Teresa
“Audiologist Ms. Soh has been very professional in her analysis and in dispensing advice. She is customer-centric, focused on the needs of her customers and patiently listening to concerns.”
G.G
FAQs About Tinnitus Treatment
What is the difference between subjective and objective tinnitus?
Those who suffer from subjective tinnitus are the only ones who can hear the noises such as buzzing or ringing.
On the other hand, the sounds heard by an individual with objective tinnitus can also be heard by others with specific tools and equipment.
What is pulsatile tinnitus?
Individuals who have pulsatile tinnitus hear sounds in their ears that are in sync with their heartbeats. It could be due to vascular anomaly or other hearing related issues that need referral to A&E or ENT immediately.
Will my tinnitus get worse over time?
If you suspect you have tinnitus, we’d advise you to seek medical attention as soon as possible. It’s important to understand the underlying cause of your tinnitus or you may risk having your condition worsen over time.
Those who receive appropriate medical management, effective treatment and support will have a higher chance of long-term recovery.
When should I see a doctor for tinnitus?
You should see an audiologist if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Ringing in the ears for more than a week
- Pain or itchiness in the ears
- Drainage from the ear
- Dizziness
- Hearing noise only in one ear
Schedule an appointment with our hearing care professionals today. If necessary, we will refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor for further assessment and diagnosis.
Note: If you are hearing noises that are rhythmic with your pulse, you are advised to seek medical attention immediately at A&E.
What kind of information does my audiologist need from me?
Before attending the appointment with your audiologist, here are some information that will be good to prepare.
- Patients should bring the medication list if they are on any medication
- Previous and current vocations
- Any prior ear operations
- Any history of visiting ENTs? Where and when?
- Any history of ear conditions
- How long has your tinnitus been
- Which side of the ear was it?
- Any history of high BP, cholesterol, hypertension or heart disease
- MRI results (if any)
- History of migraines
- Involvement in any sport activities
- History of trauma in the head
- History of jaw pain
Are there any over-the-counter tinnitus treatments?
To date, there is no substantial evidence that suggests the effectiveness of herbal, prescribed or over-the-counter medication that can provide a complete cure for tinnitus.
If you have tinnitus, please schedule a consultation with our audiologists. We’ll then assess your condition and recommend the appropriate treatment for you.
Can tinnitus be permanently cured?
Objective tinnitus that is caused by a medical condition can be cured by treating that condition. On the other hand, other forms of tinnitus may not be treatable but hearing aids can help to alleviate the symptoms.
Consult our experienced hearing care professionals for advice on your condition.
How can I prevent tinnitus?
Keep your ears clean
Ear infections and impacted ear cerumen can cause tinnitus. Therefore, it is important to keep your ears dry and clean.
Proper hygiene care for ear plugs and earphones that are in use is important to prevent ear infections. In the event of cerumen impaction, it is advisable to visit an ENT or trained General Physician for aural toilets.
Reduce your stress levels
Tinnitus can be triggered by anxiety or stress. To help relieve these negative emotions, start by inculcating good daily habits into your life such as having a healthy diet and an adequate amount of exercise.
Avoid standing close to speakers
Avoid standing or sitting too near to speakers, especially if you are going to a club or concert. Loud noises can damage the cells and membranes in the cochlea, which may lead to tinnitus or hearing loss.
Listen to music at a safe volume
If you are using headphones or earbuds to listen to music, ensure that the volume is adjusted to a safe level that will not damage your ears. The recommended volume is between 60 and 85 decibels.
If you are unsure about whether your music is too loud, get a friend to stand beside you. He/she should not be able to hear it if you are listening at a safe volume. Alternatively, do not exceed safety sound level notification by Android or iPhone when using earphones or headphones.
Rest your ears
Instead of listening to your headphones for long periods of time, try taking frequent breaks to allow your ears to rest. This can help them better cope with loud sounds.
Schedule annual check ups
Annual hearing check ups can allow you to be up-to-date on your hearing health and take action if required. This is especially important for those who work in noisy environments.
1UCSF Medical Centre: Tinnitus Signs and Symptoms
2Statistics retrieved from Audika Australia
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