Tinnitus treatment

Before initiating treatment, rule out reversible or treatable causes:

  • Hearing loss (age-related or noise-induced)
  • Earwax impaction
  • Ototoxic medications (NSAIDs, aminoglycosides, chemotherapy)
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
  • Vascular anomalies (especially in pulsatile tinnitus)
  • Vestibular schwannoma (consider in unilateral tinnitus)

Uses external sounds to reduce tinnitus perception.

  • White noise machines
  • Hearing aids with built-in masking features
  • Custom tinnitus maskers
  • Sound pillows or mobile apps

Psychological approach with strong evidence of benefit.

  • Reduces distress, improves coping
  • Typically delivered in structured sessions

For patients with coexisting hearing loss.

  • Amplifies environmental sounds
  • May reduce tinnitus awareness

Combines low-level sound stimulation with counseling.

  • Goal: habituation to tinnitus
  • Long-term process (6–24 months)
  • Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
  • Bimodal neuromodulation (e.g., Lenire® system)
  • Supplements (e.g., Ginkgo biloba, melatonin) — low evidence
  • Avoid complete silence — use background sounds
  • Limit caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol
  • Practice stress-reduction techniques (e.g., mindfulness, yoga)
  • Improve sleep hygiene

Refer to ENT or neurology if:

  • Unilateral tinnitus
  • Pulsatile tinnitus
  • Neurological symptoms
  • Severe impact on quality of life despite initial management
  • tinnitus_treatment.txt
  • Last modified: 2025/06/15 10:13
  • by administrador