Hearing Loss & Prevention

At Munk Hearing Centre, we recognize the importance of education and prevention when it comes to hearing loss. We take the time to counsel our patients on their type of hearing loss (e.g. sensorineural, conductive or mixed) and are happy to address any questions you might have. Hearing loss prevention is important. An audiologist can help you to determine which situations require hearing protection and can make recommendations according to your needs.

Concerned that your hearing is at risk?

Excessive noise exposure can damage your hearing. If you think that you are exposed to too much noise through your occupation or recreational activities, we can help by counselling you on noise reduction techniques and by recommending custom earplugs (if applicable).

Custom Earplugs

Learn more about custom earplugs.

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Tinnitus

For those who experience bothersome tinnitus, we now offer a program called Progressive Tinnitus Management (PTM). PTM is a cost-effective program that has been adopted by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs in the United States. Sessions are currently offered on Tuesday afternoons.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is an auditory phenomenon that is commonly described as the perception of sound in the ear (e.g. ringing or buzzing). Tinnitus can vary in how it sounds and can be perceived as coming from one or both ears, or sounding in the head.

It is common to experience tinnitus temporarily following noise exposure (e.g. going to a concert) or briefly for a few moments from time to time. You need a medical consultation if you experience tinnitus often. We recommend speaking with your physician if you experience ongoing tinnitus. For bothersome tinnitus, there are treatment programs available that can help with managing the problem

Causes

The precise cause of tinnitus can be difficult to determine. Some potential causes include hearing loss, noise exposure, ear infections/disorders, head injuries, and certain medications. It is believed that stress can make tinnitus more noticeable.

Treatment

When researching tinnitus, it is important to make sure that you are getting your information from a trustworthy source. Many websites take advantage of tinnitus sufferers by claiming to offer a cure in the form of a pill or medication of some variety. Be advised that, to date, there is no known cure for tinnitus.

Thankfully, there are management programs available that can provide relief to those with bothersome tinnitus that affects their daily life.

Progressive Tinnitus Management

Progressive Tinnitus Management (PTM) is a structured, multi-level therapy for tinnitus that has been adopted by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs in the United States. We offer PTM through the Centre for Advanced Hearing and Balance Testing at Toronto General Hospital as a cost-effective approach to tinnitus management.

The aim of PTM is to help patients self-manage their reactions to tinnitus. The program offers different levels of support according to your individual needs.

We currently run sessions on Tuesday afternoons. For more information and to book a consultation, please contact us to request an appointment.

Where can I Learn More?

For a good basic overview and links to helpful educational resources, please visit the Canadian Academy of Audiology (CAA) website.

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