Tinnitus stress is not always the trigger

New concept focuses on individual treatment

08/28/2012

If it rings permanently in the ears or continuous buzzing for a long time does not allow a quiet moment, sufferers often suffer from tinnitus. About ten percent of the population learn about this acoustic companion during their lifetime. Many mistakenly see tinnitus as a disease, but in fact it's just a symptom. Purely symptom-oriented treatments rarely promise a chance of success. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate causes and then counteract them. A new treatment concept, in which specialists determine the individual triggers and develop therapy approaches specifically tailored to the patient, will help.

„There are many reasons for tinnitus. Noise and stress, ear disorders and problems with the cervical spine or in the area of ​​the temporomandibular joint are just some of the possible triggers“, explains Dr. Uso Walter, practicing ENT doctor and CEO of the HNOnet NRW, an association of established ENT doctors. Due to the complex clinical picture, accurate diagnosis and treatment of this disorder pose a major challenge to physicians. Basically, professionals differentiate between acute and chronic tinnitus. They speak of acute tinnitus for up to six months. If the annoying noise of the ears, such as whistling, ringing or ringing in the ears, lasts longer, patients suffer from the chronic form. But although the finding sounds final to many, there are now good treatment opportunities, which increasingly relate to the processing of the sounds in the brain and the psyche. Indispensable for a successful treatment: Comprehensive advice and individual therapy modules that build on each other and interlock. This is exactly where the new project, initiated by the HNOnet NRW and the German Tinnitus League, is setting „Tinnitus - well and?!“ on.

„The concept is characterized by its individual approach“, describes Dr. Walter. „Depending on requirements, psychological and behavioral therapy measures, special listening training as well as relaxation and exercise therapies are used.“ However, the basis for dealing with the acoustic disturbance and every further procedure is an expert lecture, which informs those concerned in detail about their ear noises, their processing and the corresponding treatment options. In order to make this knowledge available to as many people as possible, the HNOnet NRW now offers a DVD containing all the contents of the lecture and information about tinnitus and the new therapy concept.

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