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What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is typically experienced as a hissing, buzzing, whistling, roaring or ringing in one or both ears that only you can hear. For some people, it has a huge impact on daily life, causing stress, anxiety, anger and disturbed sleep. Surprisingly common, Tinnitus affects over 207,000 people in the New Zealand population over the age of 141. We can help you take control and manage the symptoms of tinnitus.

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The severity and regularity differs from each individual who suffer from tinnitus. The symptoms of tinnitus vary from one person to another, ranging from temporary to persistent, mildly irritating or very disturbing. About 80% of people with tinnitus may also have some degree of hearing loss without being aware of it2.  Unfortunately, there is no cure for tinnitus, however there is a form of relief for those who are affected by tinnitus. Our hearing healthcare professionals are here to help and can recommend different techniques to help relieve this nuisance.

1Wu B., Searchfield G., Exeter D. & Leehe A. 2015, 'Tinnitus prevelence in New Zealand', The New Zealand Medical Journal, vol. 128, no. 1423.
2The Hearing Review, ‘Oticon Survey Shows Effects of Tinnitus on UK Respondents’, 2nd February 2018

causes of tinnitus

13.5% of people aged 65 years in New Zealand suffer some form of tinnitus1. Tinnitus is commonly a symptom of an auditory or sensory fault in the hearing system usually caused by a stressful event. There are a variety of potiential tinnitus causes, including:

  • Exposure to extreme loud noise

  • Tinnitus may be a side-effect of some medications

  • High stress levels and lack of sleep combined may increase the serverity of tinnitus.

  • Caffeine and alcohol may set off tinnitus.

  • Smoking may cause tinnitus as there is a restriction of blood flow through to the ear canal and limited supply of oxygen

  • Head or neck injuries

  • Ear conditions or infections




Silence ringing in the ears


1Wu B., Searchfield G., Exeter D. & Leehe A. 2015, 'Tinnitus prevelence in New Zealand', The New Zealand Medical Journal, vol. 128, no. 1423.

tinnitus affects

How does tinnitus affect your life?

The symptoms vary from one person to another, including the intensity. Some people are able to ignore their tinnitus, while some tinnitus sufferers may become very sensitive to places with constant or loud noise. Unmanaged tinnitus may have a devastating impact on your daily life, as this may lead to concentration problems, disturbed sleeping patterns or avoiding social situations. 

Think you have tinnitus

what is tinnitus

Although there is no tinnitus cure, there are a variety of ways you can help manage and take control of tinnitus, reducing the impact this may have on your life. As the severity and symptoms vary from one person to another, it is essential that treatments to assist in managing tinnitus are personalised to your hearing needs. 

Sound therapy can be a helpful tool for managing the symptoms of tinnitus. Listening to different and carefully selected sounds, may help you feel as though your tinnitus is reduced or temporarily gone. Our expert clinicians can assist you in customising hearing aids and sound therapy to your needs and preferences. A tinnitus sound app may also be downloaded from the app store and you can get relieving sounds when you need them. We can help find the sound therapy that gives you the most effective relief.

We customize hearing aids and sound therapy exactly to your needs and preferences.

  • Oticon Opn S tinnitus soundsupport

    Oticon Opn S™

    Our latest hearing aid, Oticon Opn S™, provides a variety of relief sounds for those who experience some form of tinnitus.

  • Tinnitus

    Tinnitus sound app

    Get relieving sounds right when you need them. Download on the App Store or get it at Google Play.

  • Oticon Siya tinnitus soundsupport

    Oticon Siya™

    Take control of your tinnitus with Oticon Siya, the feature Tinnitus SoundSupport™ can assist in managing tinnitus with a range of relief sounds.

Think you might have tinnitus?

A clinical assessment is recommended for those who experience the symptoms of tinnitus. Our hearing healthcare professionals can help recommend different techniques, sound therapies, hearing aids and counselling that can help you manage and relieve this nuisance.

Request an Appointment   Contact us

Or call us: 0800 001 726

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