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What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus can present as ringing, whistling, clicking or buzzing noises in the ear or head.

Tinnitus and Decreased Sound Tolerance Management Clinic

Audiology and Otolaryngology cooperatively began the Tinnitus Clinic in 1989. The main goal of this clinic is to offer help and support to those suffering from tinnitus and decreased sound tolerance. It is not a diagnostic clinic. The program has evolved as the theories regarding tinnitus change.

When you first come to the clinic, an audiologist will perform a hearing test and a tinnitus evaluation. This evaluation involves assessing the psycho-acoustical characteristics of the tinnitus and the impact of the tinnitus on your life. We provide constructive suggestions on how to best manage the tinnitus. This may vary somewhat from person to person.

Sound Therapy

Those experiencing tinnitus are often advised to engage in some form of sound therapy. This involves using a form of soft, pleasant, neutral sound to help cope with the tinnitus in a specific way – for example, the sound may be used for ‘masking relief’ or it may often be used in the context of “Tinnitus Retraining Therapy” (TRT).  Hearing aids may be recommended if a hearing loss is present.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

Typically, TRT involves the use of sound therapy as well as the teaching and demystification of tinnitus. This helps to reduce the impact of tinnitus.

Multidisciplinary Clinic

The Audiologist may refer to other health professionals as required.

Referral Criteria

Patients with persistent moderate to severe tinnitus/DST.

The tinnitus or DST has already been diagnostically investigated.

Referrals are only accepted from ENT, Neurology/Neurosurgery, and Physiatry (in the case of head injury/concussion).

Audiology – Tinnitus Clinic
The Ottawa Hospital – General Campus
Level 2, Module O, Room O-15
501 Smyth Road

Tel. : 613-737-8899  ext. 78254
Fax. : 613-739-6164

Last updated on: August 4th, 2022