The noise never stops.
For people suffering from tinnitus, it could be anything from a faint ocean-like hiss to an insistent buzzing, annoying at first and excruciating for some. The condition occurs when damaged inner-ear hair cells send bogus signals to the brain, tricking the listener into hearing noises that aren’t there.
It can be caused by exposure to loud noises, excessive earwax and certain medications. But whatever the cause, it’s a daily annoyance and a drain on the mental health of those afflicted.
Now, local clinic Arnold Hearing Centres has become the first location in Waterloo Region to offer Lenire, a tinnitus treatment device that offers relief for those experiencing unwanted sound. It delivers mild pulses to the surface of the tongue, coupled with auditory stimulation, intended to drive lasting change to the patient’s brain chemistry. Patients can take the machine home with them, using it twice a day for half an hour.