The Duke Tinnitus Clinic provides comprehensive evaluation and management options for patients who suffer from tinnitus.

Tinnitus is best described as a perception of sound heard in the ears, or inside the head that is not from an outside source. Some people have described their tinnitus as ringing, chirping, buzzing, hissing, whistling, or humming sounds.

According to the American Tinnitus Association (ATA) over 50 million people experience tinnitus and approximately 12 to 15 million people seek medical treatment for their tinnitus. Of this, two million people have tinnitus that is characterized as debilitating.

Tinnitus Evaluation

A tinnitus evaluation is a 90-minute appointment involving a questionnaire, measures of tinnitus, and counseling to determine how best to manage an individual’s tinnitus.

If a comprehensive hearing test has not been performed within the last six months, an updated hearing test including the measurement of ultra-high frequency hearing thresholds will be performed.

Objective measures involving auditory matching of the tinnitus pitch and loudness will be performed. Masking techniques (i.e., attempting to cover your tinnitus with other sounds) will be used to determine if sound therapy is an option for reducing tinnitus awareness and disturbance.

Based on your tinnitus profile, appropriate recommendations will then be made.

Tinnitus Management

There is no cure for tinnitus; however, there are several sound treatments available that aim to reduce tinnitus awareness and disturbance and improve your quality of life. Treatment options and recommendations will be discussed based on the needs and evaluation results.

Sound treatments available include:

• Tinnitus education and counseling
• Hearing aids
• Hearing aid/tinnitus masker combination devices
• Neuromonics tinnitus treatment

Appropriate recommendations for medical evaluation, further psychological management including cognitive behavioral therapy or for alternative therapies to help best manage tinnitus will be made during the consultation.

Appointments

To schedule an evaluation with one of our tinnitus experts, contact Duke Speech Pathology and Audiology at 919-684-3859.

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Speech Pathology and Audiology
  Duke Clinic 1I, 40 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710