Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Tinnitus Treatment Solutions?
   X Tinnitus Treatment Solutions is a group of audiologists who are experts in tinnitus care, dedicated to tinnitus treatment. Using state of the art telemedicine tools, our audiologists are able to offer tinnitus sufferers expert counseling and tinnitus treatment in the comfort of their own homes. By partnering with local device programming specialists, we are able to offer the highest quality of care, in the most convenient way, to a broad population of patients.
2. Where are you located?
   X We offer services nationwide in the U.S. and U.K. Our tinnitus specialists are in multiple locations. We assign local programming specialists to ensure that in-person custom device programming is as convenient as possible.
3. What should I do if I think I have tinnitus?
   X Speak to one of our staff audiologists. Every patient is unique. It is important that we have the opportunity to learn more about your medical history including your experience with tinnitus, how much it bothers you, any potential cause (if known), whether you have already sought care, whether you have hearing loss, what your hopes and expectations are for your treatment, and more. Then we can work with you to determine the best next steps that are suitable for you.
4. What happens after I speak to my Tinnitus Treatment Solutions audiologist?
   X Your Tinnitus Treatment Solutions audiologist will advise you as to the best treatment approach for you, based on the specifics of your condition and your needs and desires regarding treatment. If we believe you should see an ENT for a medical evaluation, obtain a complete a hearing evaluation, or seek some other kind of care, then you may be directed as such. If you are a suitable candidate for sound therapy and would like to try it as a treatment, your Tinnitus Treatment Solutions audiologist will arrange for you to do so. Our goal is to help you move forward on the path toward better understanding your tinnitus and finding relief.
5. Is this a hearing aid?
   X

   Sound therapy can be delivered through several different types of devices, including specialized hearing aids. A tinnitus hearing aid has sound therapy embedded in it, in addition to providing amplification. Other types of ear worn devices may provide only a masking sound (without amplification) or only amplification (without a masking sound.) The right device for you depends on your tinnitus, hearing level, and other factors. By working with a TTS audiologist you can learn about the best options for your unique situation.

   Equally important as a device is the education and counseling that your clinician provides. Often patients experience anxiety, hopelessness, or are simply misinformed about tinnitus and how it can be treated. A device alone is unlikely to be sufficient for every patient; in our experience, the personal, customized treatment program we provide, including routine monitoring of your progress, is critical to your successful experience.

6. Will this treatment work for me?
   X

   Research shows that 70-90% of clinically suitable candidates who have used sound therapy have achieved some level of long term relief (habituation). Many others successfully manage their tinnitus on an ongoing basis by having a tool they can use to get relief when they need it. Our treatment is comprised of the use of a handheld sound therapy device and/or tinnitus hearing aids combined with supportive patient education and counseling. This approach has both potential short term and long term benefit aspects to provide relief.

   In order for you to find out the benefit sound therapy and/ or hearing aids may have for you, we offer a risk free trial. Even with the majority of patients getting better through habituation and achieving some short term benefit, the only real way to know if it will work for you is to try it. Every patient is different. We strongly encourage you to experience the benefit of customized sound therapy for yourself.

7. What is sound therapy?
   X

   Sound therapy is the use of outside sounds to interfere with tinnitus, and/or to enable relaxation in conjunction with appropriate counseling in the treatment of tinnitus. People have always known that sounds can interfere with tinnitus, and sound therapy has been proven to be one of the most effective approaches to tinnitus management. Sound generating devices have been used formally as part of structured tinnitus treatment programs, and not simply as maskers, for about 30 years. Many kinds of sounds are used. Some are designed to be listened to actively (music, speech) and others are intended to be put into the background, or "tuned out", and listened to passively. Any sound tool should be used under the supervision of an audiologist who provides the necessary education and counseling to build the structured framework for a total approach to habituation.

8. What is habituation?
   X

   Through habituation, patients find relief from their tinnitus in that:
   1. They don't notice their tinnitus at all for long periods of time, or
   2. They find it less bothersome if they do notice it.

   This longer term relief that results from habituation may be experienced even when the patient is not listening to the sound therapy treatment tones. Note that this result is distinctly different from using music or other sounds to promote short term relaxation, or to temporarily distract from one's tinnitus by simply replacing the tinnitus with an alternative noise.

   There is also a short-term benefit that patients report, in which they get relief while listening to sound therapy at low volumes that are softer than their tinnitus. A soft, low level, background treatment sound allows the patient to "tune out" the treatment tones from conscious awareness, and therefore to go on with normal daily activities such as reading, working, or having a conversation, without disruption.

9. Am I a candidate for treatment?
   X Many people are candidates for sound therapy and/or hearing aids, but there are some potential reasons why it might not be appropriate for you clinically. Our audiologists screen all potential patients to determine candidacy, and to identify any potential issues that would preclude treatment.
10. When will I see results?
    X

    For tinnitus treatment, the timing of results varies. A majority of patients experience a short term benefit. Approximately 70-90% of people have indicated that after several months or more of using a tinnitus device, they notice a reduction in both tinnitus volume and in how often they are bothered by their tinnitus. Other factors may also influence the speed of one's progress, such as responsiveness to patient counseling/education, one's ability to reduce stress, the effect of medications, or other factors.

    Trying sound therapy and/or tinnitus hearing aids can help you to determine if you are able to incorporate use of the device(s) into your lifestyle comfortably and effectively. You may notice your tinnitus changing during this time, as you are introducing a new external stimulus that has been specifically designed to interrupt the tinnitus via a handheld sound therapy device or tinnitus hearing aids. Relief may be immediate, or may take some time to notice. Lack of an immediate or dramatic response does not mean the treatment is "not working" – it simply means that your auditory system may be taking longer to respond. In terms of treating hearing loss specifically, you will immediately notice an improvement in your hearing ability through the use of tinnitus hearing aids. Tinnitus hearing aids are designed to address both hearing loss and tinnitus.

11. Are there any over-the-counter medications that are effective for tinnitus?
    X No. There is currently no FDA approved drug for tinnitus. Controlled trials have not found any drug, supplement, or herb to be any more effective than a placebo, including ginkgo biloba, B-vitamin complexes and anti-oxidants, which are sometimes promoted for this purpose. Some doctors may prescribe medications that are intended to help tinnitus sufferers manage the effects of tinnitus – for example, sleeping aids or anti-anxiety medications – but these do not treat the tinnitus itself.
12. How much does this treatment cost?
    X

    • Initial consultation/screening: Your preliminary phone consultation and screening is free. This call is an opportunity for you to ask questions, learn more about your condition, share your hopes and concerns, and get solid clinical advice from a trained and experienced tinnitus specialist. This is important, since the nature of tinnitus is such that every patient is different and requires a customized approach.
    • Sound therapy/hearing aid trial: Ask us about a risk free trial. We want you to have a chance to use a customized sound therapy system and/or tinnitus hearing aids. We will guide you through your tinnitus treatment, assign a programming specialist to customize your device(s), and monitor your progress throughout the trial period. If, contrary to expectations, you find that you do not want to continue treatment, you may return the device(s).
    • Ongoing use: We offer a range of products and various price options. We will help you understand the difference between these options, so you can make the best choice according to your tinnitus/hearing needs, lifestyle and budget. Ongoing treatment includes: A device and/or tinnitus hearing aids, accessories, education sessions with your audiologist, an in-person device programming session, and all clinical follow up.
    • Please ask about a monthly payment plan.
13. Does insurance cover this treatment?
    X Insurance coverage varies from plan to plan. Tinnitus Treatment Solutions does not bill insurance directly. Traditionally, tinnitus devices are not covered by insurance. Some insurance plans do offer partial or total coverage for hearing aids, but most do not. The device is not covered under Medicare. Ask about a monthly payment plan to ease the cost of the treatment.
14. How do I get started?
    X

    • Contact us by phone, email, or the online form on our website to indicate your interest.
    • We will contact you to screen you for candidacy and conduct a preliminary clinical consultation. You will also be paired with one of our audiologists who will be your education and care provider throughout your treatment.
15. Is my information secure?
    X Yes, our service is designed to be a private, secure, HIPAA-compliant tool that allows you to safely and confidentially consult with a clinician online.