Turn down tinnitus with treatment
Dr Anna Colwell
Deputy Chief Health Officer
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Tinnitus is when you can hear a sound inside your ears or head, but there is no outside source. It may ring, hiss, whistle, crackle, rustle or roar. It can be temporary, for example due to recent loud noise, or may last a long time. Most people with long-term tinnitus also have hearing loss.
Tinnitus is occasionally a sign of a more serious illness. See your doctor promptly if:
- your tinnitus is only in one ear
- it beats in time with your heart, or
- you also have sudden hearing loss, or balance problems.
These symptoms are more likely to have a serious cause and rapid treatment may be important.
Tinnitus treatment works to make the sound less annoying so you can function better. It can change how your brain reacts to sound and help you avoid things that make your tinnitus worse. If your tinnitus is mild, you might not need much treatment at all, but if it is more severe and bothers you on a day-to-day basis, there are several treatments DVA can fund.
DVA has recently launched an Improved Access to Treatment for Tinnitus pilot program with Hearing Australia. This pilot is for veterans and serving veterans under the age of 60 with accepted service-related tinnitus who lodge a MRCA permanent impairment claim.
The pilot operates only in the context of decision making on new claims in the compensation process between acceptance of initial liability by DVA, and determination of permanent impairment. The pilot provides a streamlined pathway for these veterans to access necessary tinnitus treatment and clinical advice to ensure they receive appropriate treatment for tinnitus before consideration of any permanent impairment.
You can find out more about the pilot on the DVA website.
The launch of this pilot program has led other veterans to ask: ‘Where can I get the same type of tinnitus treatment?’. The pilot does not affect delivery of DVA-funded tinnitus treatment for veterans in other contexts. For veterans with accepted service-related tinnitus, treatment is accessible through your Veteran Card. Currently serving veterans have ongoing access to tinnitus treatment through Defence health arrangements.
Tinnitus is a sound that may ring, hiss, whistle, crackle, rustle or roar.
As with all health conditions, your GP is a good place to start if you want to seek care for tinnitus. They will ask about how tinnitus affects you and find your triggers, such as loud noises, stress, and caffeine. They will also look for medications or health problems that may be making it worse, like infections, mood or sleep problems. If further treatment is needed, they can refer you to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor, or an audiologist.
Audiologists are experts in hearing and tinnitus. They can test your hearing, explain ways to reduce tinnitus, fit hearing aids or other helpful devices, as well as talk about ways to protect your hearing from further damage.
Hearing aids are commonly used because improving hearing makes tinnitus less noticeable. “Masking” uses other sounds to make tinnitus seem quieter. Some people like soft background noise (like music or a fan), while others use special devices.
Some people whose tinnitus impacts their life significantly will be referred to a psychologist for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This can help you feel less bothered by tinnitus, learn helpful relaxation skills and treat related issues like stress, low mood or sleep problems.
A small number of people may need specialised treatments such as tinnitus retraining therapy or neuromodulation devices. Your GP or audiologist can help you with what tinnitus treatment will be best for you.