Understanding tinnitus
You’re not imagining it, and treatments are available.
Tinnitus is the experience of hearing a sound that has no outside source. People describe ringing, buzzing, hissing, humming or a sound like crickets. It's very common, and for most adults the hardest part is what the sound does to sleep and everyday life.
Understanding what's happening is the first step to feeling more in control.
What’s happening
YOUR BRAIN, NOT YOUR EARS.
A change in hearing is the most common thread behind persistent tinnitus. It might come from ageing, noise over time or a change in the ear such as an infection. The change doesn't need to be large, and it isn't always something you can hear yourself.
The sound itself usually isn't coming from your ear. It's made by your brain in response to that change. When less sound comes in, the brain turns up its own background activity, and that activity is what you hear. Researchers describe it as a brain working hard to hear.
Tinnitus is rarely caused by one thing. Most people have a few factors working together, and some of them can be checked and treated. That's why seeing your GP or an audiologist early is worthwhile. See below for common causes.
Clinic vision and mission
Our vision
Every Australian living with tinnitus can find relief, thrive and live a full and meaningful life.
We believe tinnitus should never have to sit at the centre of anyone’s life, and that with the accurate evidence-based support, it doesn’t have to.
Our mission
The clinic provides personalised evidence-based treatment plans that go beyond your diagnosis, helping your brain gently let go of tinnitus, so you can reconnect with the life you love.
Audiologist-led, our care treats not just the sound, but the distress around it.
Comprehensive coordinated care
The Blue Mountains Tinnitus Clinic is committed to compassionate, thorough care, with a strong focus on working closely with other health professionals so your tinnitus is looked at as part of the bigger health picture.
Where further assessment or medical input is needed, we work collaboratively with GPs, Ear Nose and Throat specialists (ENTs), audiology services providing hearing tests and hearing aids, and other treating specialists such as neurologists and allied health. Not all patients will require referral as this depends on your tinnitus assessment results. With your consent, report of results and your treatment plan will be sent to your referring doctor.
Every new patient begins with an initial Tinnitus assessment
After the assessment, if you’d like to begin treatment, this is matched to how tinnitus is affecting you and your health goals.
Not everyone needs a full treatment plan. For some patients, the the assessment settles things considerably. For others, a structured treatment plan is helpful and recommended. Your clinician talks you through what’s recommended at your follow-up call.
See out assessment page for more detail on what’s included in your thorough assessment
Assessment fee: $350 ($300 for pension holders, seniors card holders, and students)
DOWNLOAD FOR FREE
Tinnitus guide: What’s happening & what helps
Download the clinic’s free guide and receive The Tinnitus Couch, a monthly email that walks you through living well with tinnitus over 15 months, one topic at a time.
The free guide arrives as an instant ebook where you’ll read about common challenges with tinnitus and a checklist or supports and resources.
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