Tinnitus Assessment and Support in Christchurch and Timaru
Tinnitus Assessment & Support in Christchurch & Timaru
At Bellbird Hearing, we provide professional tinnitus assessment and support to help you understand and manage ringing, buzzing, hissing, or humming sounds in the ears. Tinnitus is a common condition that can range from mildly noticeable to significantly disruptive.
While it is not a disease itself, it is often a symptom of an underlying hearing or health issue. Our experienced audiologists can help identify possible causes and provide personalised strategies to reduce the impact of tinnitus on your daily life.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ears or head when no external sound is present. It is commonly described as:
- Ringing
- Buzzing
- Hissing
- Whistling
- Humming
It may occur in one or both ears and can be constant or intermittent. Tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom of an underlying issue.
Common causes of Tinnitus
Tinnitus can be linked to a range of factors, including:
- Hearing loss (age-related or noise-induced)
- Earwax buildup, ear infections, or blocked ears
- Exposure to loud noise
- Certain medications
- Head or neck injuries
- Medical conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or TMJ disorders
In many cases, tinnitus is associated with changes in hearing or the auditory system.
What does tinnitus feel like?
Tinnitus affects people differently. For some, it is a mild background noise that is easy to ignore. For others, it can significantly impact:
- Sleep quality
- Concentration
- Work performance
- Stress and emotional wellbeing
- Overall quality of life
Even though tinnitus is common, it can be very distressing - especially when it is persistent or sudden in onset.
Tinnitus assessment and support
If you are experiencing tinnitus, we recommend a full diagnostic hearing assessment. This helps us:
- Check your hearing levels
- Identify possible contributing causes
- Rule out underlying ear conditions
- Understand how your tinnitus is affecting you
From there, we can discuss suitable management strategies tailored to your needs.
Tinnitus management may include:
- Hearing aids (if hearing loss is present)
- Sound therapy strategies
- Communication and listening strategies
- Education and reassurance about your condition
Our goal is to help reduce the impact tinnitus has on your daily life, sleep, and concentration. Our audiologists (Caroline, Juliet, and Melissa) are ACC-registered and experienced in providing tinnitus assessment and support.
When should you get help for tinnitus?
You should consider booking an appointment if:
- Your tinnitus has started recently
- Tinnitus is only in one ear
- It is getting louder or more noticeable
- It is affecting sleep or concentration
- It is causing stress or anxiety
- It is combined with hearing changes or blocked ears
Early assessment is important, especially if symptoms are new or worsening.
Managing Tinnitus
While there is no single cure for tinnitus, many people experience significant improvement with the right management plan. Effective strategies can help you:
- Reduce awareness of tinnitus
- Improve sleep and relaxation
- Improve communication and hearing ability
- Feel more in control of symptoms
We are here to help you find practical ways to manage your tinnitus and improve your quality of life.
Book a Tinnitus assessment
If you are concerned about tinnitus, our team can help.
- Book a hearing assessment
- Contact our clinics
- Ear wax removal