Tuned’s head of Audiology, Dr. Heather Malyuk, explains Tinnitus and shares how doctors of audiology can help people regain control of their lives, improve their productivity, and establish relationships they enjoy with coworkers, family, and friends.
A quick internet search of “tinnitus” quickly leads to articles, blogs, and websites dedicated to the definition of tinnitus (a sound perceived without an external source, ringing/buzzing/chirping in the ears or head, etc.), and statistics on prevalence. However, what is not often discussed is the impact tinnitus can have on one’s life and work.
Imagine the beginning of a sound. You might think at first that it’s the buzz of a light source or crickets outside your window. Now imagine that your brain begins to pay attention to that sound and give it a level of importance in your life. Finally, imagine that sound never stops, no matter how much you try to push it out of your mind. That is tinnitus.
Tinnitus can be life-altering for many people. It can change the way they perceive the world around them, it can change their concept of self-identity, and it can cause a debilitating amount of stress. For individuals in the workforce, it can greatly interfere with focus and concentration.
The stress and fatigue that tinnitus can cause often relate to the effort these individuals must exert to maintain their focus and attention. It can be exhausting. These same individuals may find that they must take breaks from work during the day in order to simply “be ok.”
There is good news and hope for individuals struggling with tinnitus.
Tuned connects these individuals with doctors of audiology who can help them regain control of their lives, improve their productivity, and establish the relationships they enjoy with coworkers, family, and friends.
