Although tinnitus may not indicate any serious underlying conditions, in the severe cases, it can contribute to psychological disorders and psychosocial consequences. It can also have a direct impact on a person's emotional wellbeing. Many patients tell me that they are frustrated because of their lack of control on this phantom noise. For these patients, any relief from their tinnitus is a blessing.

For a long time, we have been treating these patients with amplification. The underlying theory for this treatment is that the amplified auditory input works as a masking or a desensitizing agent for the tinnitus. I am very excited about a recent study regarding the effectiveness of amplification in treating tinnitus. This study indicated that 60% of the patients experience minor to major relief of tinnitus from wearing amplification while 22% of the patients receive major relief. According to this study, approximately 9 million people who are experiencing tinnitus are not seeking any help because they believe there is no treatment for tinnitus. I would encourage these patients to go to an audiologist's office and have their tinnitus and hearing status evaluated. If it is verified that you also have a hearing loss, which often coexists with tinnitus, it is likely that the amplification will not only relieve your tinnitus but also improve your hearing.