Tinnitus affects millions of Americans, but effective management is possible through proven treatment approaches including Tinnitus Retraining Therapy, sound therapy, and specialized hearing devices. At Kalady Audiology, we offer comprehensive evaluation and evidence-based treatments that can significantly reduce tinnitus impact and restore your quality of life.
Tinnitus—that persistent ringing, buzzing, or chirping sound only you can hear—affects nearly 50 million Americans, making it one of the most common audiological conditions. While there's no cure for tinnitus, modern treatment approaches have transformed how we manage this condition, offering real hope for relief and improved daily functioning.
Tinnitus manifests differently for each person. Some experience a high-pitched ringing, while others describe buzzing, clicking, or even pulsating sounds. These phantom sounds can be constant or intermittent, loud or soft, affecting one or both ears. What remains consistent is the impact on quality of life—tinnitus can disrupt sleep, concentration, and emotional well-being.
The connection between tinnitus and hearing loss is significant. Research shows that approximately 90% of people with tinnitus also have some degree of hearing loss, even if it's mild or undetected. This relationship opens important treatment pathways, as addressing hearing loss often reduces tinnitus perception.
Effective tinnitus management begins with thorough evaluation. We start by sending detailed questionnaires about your health history and tinnitus experience, allowing us to understand your specific symptoms and their impact on your daily life.
Your evaluation includes two comprehensive appointments. The first focuses on diagnostic testing with a complete audiogram, speech-in-noise testing, loudness discomfort levels, tympanometry, acoustic reflex testing, and otoacoustic emissions testing. We also conduct a specialized tinnitus evaluation to characterize your specific symptoms.
The second appointment encompasses reviewing your results, providing tinnitus education and counseling, and developing personalized treatment recommendations. This thorough approach ensures we understand not just what you're hearing, but how tinnitus affects your life and which treatments will be most effective.
When hearing loss accompanies tinnitus, hearing aids often provide significant relief. By restoring access to environmental sounds, hearing aids help your brain refocus on external audio rather than the internal tinnitus signals. Modern hearing aids feature advanced tinnitus programs specifically designed to reduce the contrast between silence and tinnitus perception.
Today's hearing devices from leading manufacturers include sophisticated sound therapy features, allowing customization of relief sounds that mask or blend with your tinnitus. These programs can be adjusted throughout the day based on your tinnitus fluctuations and listening environments.
Sound therapy uses carefully selected sounds to reduce the contrast between silence and tinnitus. Depending on your individual needs, we may recommend soothing background sounds, interesting audio content, or specific frequency patterns designed to provide relief.
Sound therapy devices can be standalone units or integrated into hearing aids, offering flexibility in how you access relief throughout your day. The key is finding the right balance where the therapeutic sounds provide comfort without interfering with your ability to hear important environmental sounds.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy represents one of the most effective approaches to tinnitus management, with success rates exceeding 80%. TRT works by training your brain to filter tinnitus signals, similar to how your brain learns to ignore constant background sounds like air conditioning or refrigerator hums.
Dr. Kalady has completed intensive certification in TRT with the founders of this approach, Drs. Pawel and Margaret Jastreboff. This specialized training enables us to provide authentic TRT following the specific habituation protocols that make this therapy so effective.
TRT combines one-on-one counseling with sound therapy, following a structured approach that gradually reduces your brain's reaction to tinnitus signals. The therapy addresses both the auditory perception of tinnitus and the emotional responses it triggers, providing comprehensive relief.
No two tinnitus cases are identical, which is why we develop individualized treatment plans based on your specific symptoms, hearing profile, lifestyle needs, and treatment goals. Some patients benefit most from hearing aids with tinnitus features, while others respond better to dedicated sound therapy devices or comprehensive TRT programs.
Your treatment plan may combine multiple approaches for optimal results. For example, hearing aids might address both hearing loss and provide sound therapy, while counseling sessions help you develop coping strategies and reduce tinnitus-related anxiety.
We also consider your daily routines, work environment, and recreational activities when designing your treatment approach. A musician's needs differ significantly from a teacher's or retiree's needs, and your treatment plan reflects these important lifestyle factors.
Understanding tinnitus reduces its power over your life. Through education, you learn why tinnitus occurs, how your brain processes these signals, and why certain treatments work. This knowledge empowers you to participate actively in your treatment and maintain realistic expectations about your progress.
Counseling addresses the emotional aspects of living with tinnitus, including anxiety, frustration, and sleep difficulties that often accompany this condition. Many people feel isolated by their tinnitus experience, but learning that effective treatments exist and connecting with others who understand these challenges provides significant psychological relief.
Modern hearing aids offer unprecedented tinnitus management capabilities. Features like machine learning adapt to your daily patterns, automatically adjusting tinnitus programs based on your environment and time of day. Bluetooth connectivity allows streaming of therapeutic sounds directly to your devices, while smartphone apps provide convenient control over your tinnitus programs.
Real Ear Measurements ensure your hearing aids are programmed precisely for your unique hearing loss and ear anatomy, maximizing both hearing improvement and tinnitus relief. This verification process, which we use for all hearing aid fittings, significantly improves treatment outcomes by ensuring your devices deliver the intended acoustic benefits.
Tinnitus management is typically a gradual process requiring patience and consistent treatment application. Most people notice initial improvements within the first few weeks, with continued progress over several months of treatment.
Regular follow-up appointments allow us to monitor your progress and adjust treatment approaches as needed. Your tinnitus may change over time, and your treatment plan can evolve accordingly to maintain optimal relief.
We also provide ongoing support and counseling as you develop new coping strategies and adapt to life with better tinnitus management. This long-term relationship ensures sustained success and quality of life improvements.
Living with tinnitus doesn't have to mean accepting constant discomfort and disruption. With proper evaluation and evidence-based treatment, significant relief is possible for the vast majority of people experiencing tinnitus.
At Kalady Audiology in Beaufort, Dr. Meg Kalady brings specialized expertise in tinnitus management, including certification in Tinnitus Retraining Therapy and extensive experience helping patients achieve meaningful relief. We understand the frustration and impact of tinnitus, and we're committed to helping you find effective solutions.
Don't let tinnitus continue controlling your life. Contact us today at 843-524-7920 to schedule your comprehensive tinnitus evaluation and take the first step toward the relief you deserve.
Dr. Meg Kalady is from the Philadelphia suburbs and has been practicing audiology for the last 30 years. She completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, and she received her doctorate in audiology in 2012 from AT Still University.
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Dr. Kalady is ready to help you take control of your hearing health. Contact our friendly practice to schedule a consultation.
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