Tinnitus Treatment in Joliet, New Lenox and Morris, IL

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound including ringing, hissing, buzzing, clicking, whistling, swooshing, or rarely music when no external sound is present. It is not a disease itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying condition.

In most cases, tinnitus is not a serious problem and may become less bothersome over time with appropriate management. However, for some people it can significantly impact daily life, and it is important to have it evaluated by a medical professional.

50M+ Americans experience tinnitus (15% of the general population)
 
2M People have severe or debilitating tinnitus
 
80% Of those with tinnitus have some degree of hearing loss

What Causes Tinnitus?

The most common cause of tinnitus is hearing loss, particularly noise-induced hearing loss. Many people do not notice any hearing difficulty in everyday conversation, yet hearing tests reveal loss at very high frequencies and this is often the underlying cause of their tinnitus.

Other common causes include:

  • Age-related hearing loss
  • Noise exposure
  • Ear wax buildup
  • Middle ear fluid or infection
  • Eustachian tube dysfunction
  • Menière’s disease
  • Otosclerosis
  • Acoustic neuroma
  • Head or neck injury
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid conditions
  • Stress
  • Ototoxic medications
 

Medications That May Cause Tinnitus

Certain medications are known to be ototoxic (harmful to the ear) or list tinnitus as a side effect. These include aspirin and aspirin-type products (ibuprofen, Naprosyn, Aleve, Bufferin), some antihistamines, Lasix, quinines, aminoglycoside antibiotics, and erythromycin, among others. If you suspect a medication may be contributing to your tinnitus, speak with your physician before making any changes.

How Tinnitus Can Affect You

Tinnitus can be bothersome because our brain interprets unwanted internal sound as a potential threat, keeping us on alert. This can create a difficult cycle: the more attention paid to the tinnitus, the more noticeable it becomes, which in turn increases distress.

Common ways tinnitus impacts daily life include:

  • Anxiety
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Emotional distress

Evaluation & Diagnosis

At ENT Surgical Illinois, serving patients in Joliet, New Lenox, and Morris, IL, a thorough evaluation is the first step in addressing tinnitus. This typically includes:

  • A full ENT examination to identify any treatable underlying causes
  • Comprehensive hearing testing to assess the degree and pattern of hearing loss
  • Blood tests when indicated
  • Imaging studies such as MRI when conditions like acoustic neuroma need to be ruled out (closed MRI is preferred for optimal image quality)

Often, patients have no awareness of hearing loss in everyday conversation, yet audiological testing reveals high-frequency loss that is directly contributing to their tinnitus.

Treatment & Management Options

There is currently no cure for tinnitus, and no FDA-approved drugs specifically treat it. However, a wide range of evidence-informed strategies can meaningfully reduce its impact on your quality of life. Treatment focuses on making the tinnitus less noticeable and breaking the cycle of attention and distress.

When tinnitus has a clear, direct cause such as an object in the ear canal or a middle ear infection it can often be resolved by treating that underlying condition.

Hearing Aids

For tinnitus associated with hearing loss, properly fitted hearing aids provide dual benefit. By amplifying environmental and speech sounds, they can reduce the brain’s focus on tinnitus. Most modern hearing aids include dedicated tinnitus features. Settings should be carefully calibrated to avoid making tinnitus more bothersome.

Ambient / Background Noise

Tinnitus is often most noticeable at night in a quiet room. A fan, white noise machine, or radio tuned to low-volume static can help distract from the tinnitus. Wearable masking devices and pillow-integrated sound units are also available for those who share a sleeping space.

 

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

TRT combines structured counseling with a wearable device that emits low-level broadband sound. The goal is to retrain the brain so that tinnitus is no longer perceived as a threat. Treatment typically spans 1–2 years.

Progressive Tinnitus Management (PTM)

Used extensively in the VA healthcare system, PTM offers five escalating levels of care. Lower levels involve education and self-help tools; higher levels incorporate sound generators and formal cognitive behavioral therapy. Not all patients require all five levels.

Neuromonics

This approach delivers a customized acoustic signal embedded within music, making it pleasant to listen to. The signal targets the neural pathways associated with tinnitus perception, gradually “re-programming” the brain’s response. Treatment generally takes 6 months or longer.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Working with a psychology professional, CBT teaches strategies to manage the emotional and psychological response to tinnitus including coping techniques, reframing thought patterns, and relaxation strategies. CBT has the strongest research support of any tinnitus intervention.

Tinnitus Activities Treatment (TAT)

TAT combines carefully controlled sound therapy (typically via hearing aids) with targeted counseling addressing how tinnitus affects emotions, sleep, and concentration. It takes a holistic, individualized approach to reducing tinnitus burden.

Biofeedback & Stress Reduction

Biofeedback techniques teach patients to consciously control physiological responses such as breathing and heart rate. By reducing overall stress levels and physical tension, this approach can help change the body’s reaction to tinnitus.

Mindfulness & Meditation

Mindfulness-based practices can reduce the stress and anxiety that often accompany tinnitus, helping to lessen its perceived severity. Many smartphone apps support guided meditation and stress reduction specifically for tinnitus sufferers.

Other Approaches

Additional options that some patients find helpful include acupuncture, hypnosis, ultrasonic current therapy, electrical stimulation, and certain supplements (e.g., Ginkgo biloba, melatonin, Lipo-Flavonoid Plus™). Evidence for these varies. Patients should carefully weigh potential benefits and risks, and discuss any supplements with their provider, as these products are not FDA-regulated.

Lifestyle & Dietary Recommendations

Certain everyday habits and substances can worsen tinnitus. Making targeted lifestyle adjustments is often an effective part of a broader management plan.

  • Diet & BeveragesReduce or eliminate caffeine, alcohol, salt, soft drinks, and cider vinegar, all of which may aggravate symptoms.
  • Over-the-Counter DrugsReduce or eliminate aspirin and aspirin-based products (ibuprofen, Anacin, Midol, Pepto-Bismol, Aleve, Ecotrin) and some antihistamines, which can worsen tinnitus.
  • Prescription MedicationsReview any prescription drugs that list tinnitus as a side effect with your physician. Do not discontinue medication without medical guidance.
  • Household ProductsLimit exposure to strong chemical scents and irritants, including certain perfumes, antiseptics, cleaning chemicals, and suntan lotions.
  • SleepPrioritize consistent, adequate sleep. Fatigue can lower your threshold for tinnitus-related distress.
  • Exercise & StressRegular physical activity and active stress management are both associated with reduced tinnitus severity.