Dr. Ali Danesh
Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Expert and Scientist
About Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the perception of hearing noise, or ringing in the ears, without any external source. There are approximately 50 million people in the United States who have reported symptoms of tinnitus. While virtually everyone experiences at least one episode of tinnitus in their lifetime, many people experience its symptoms daily to the degree that it disturbs activities and sleeping patterns.
Tinnitus is manageable and help is possible. While there is no one quick fix to this dilemma, several options are available to help stop ringing in the ears. The precise origin of tinnitus is still being explored, however, there are several factors that contribute to ringing in the ears.
Common Causes:
- Loud noise exposure
- Ototoxic medications
- Head trauma
- Hearing loss
- Thyroid malfunction
- Diabetes
- Meniere’s Disease
- Otosclerosis
- Acoustic Neurinoma
- Vitamin Deficiencies
- Middle ear infections
Exacerbating Factors:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Stress
Tinnitus Management
At Labyrinth Audiology, we provide sophisticated and multidisciplinary treatment and management options for patients with tinnitus. As part of our treatment services, we offer:
- Comprehensive Tinnitus Evaluation (may include tests for hyperacusis and misophonia)
- Tinnitus Counseling, Modified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Sound Therapy, Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT)
- Multidisciplinary Team Treatment
- Supplemental and Nutritional Tinnitus Advice
- Tinnitus Habituation, Activity & Retraining Therapy
- Acoustically Engineered Custom-made Sound Therapy Applications
- Neuromonics, Desyncra & Neuromodulation Tinnitus Treatments
After a case history, we will have you answer some questionnaires for us to better understand how tinnitus affects your life. While we employ routine audiological testing to assess your hearing sensitivity, we also attempt to understand the characteristics of your tinnitus. Additionally, we use psychoacoustical and electrophysiological measurements. Such tests will provide more detail as to the type of sounds you may be perceiving, and how we can go about assisting you in effectively managing the annoyance.
Solutions to tinnitus are achievable. Strategies ranging from counseling and cognitive-behavioral therapy to the use of special instruments and supplements can work toward our goal of combating tinnitus. Using scientific and clinically proven evidence-based approaches, our team of tinnitus specialists will design a therapeutic model for your tinnitus management which will help you to achieve control over your tinnitus.
Our professionals are experts in decreased sound tolerance disorders such as hyperacusis and misophonia. Many of those who suffer from tinnitus may also have decreased sound tolerance disorders. Our management plan will address both conditions.
Tinnitus and Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy
Dr. Ali Danesh and Labyrinth Audiology are pleased to inform you that we now offer cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating patients with persistent, bothersome tinnitus. By implementing CBT as a critical component of our tinnitus treatment, we utilize evidence-based treatment for tinnitus.
Evidence-based therapies are shown through research to reduce symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and fear. CBT, delivered within a context of a caring, therapeutic relationship provided by a qualified counselor provides an effective basis for treatment. In addition to assisting patients, family members or significant others may receive counseling as an adjunct to patient treatment. Telemedicine will also be available to provide ongoing support and follow-up for patients needing “booster” sessions.