What if I need more help? 

If you need more help, find an audiologist who has experience working with 

people who have tinnitus. The VA 

provides an approach for helping Veterans manage their tinnitus. It is called 

Progressive Tinnitus Management 

(PTM). PTM is also used outside of the 

VA. PTM teaches ways to use sound to 

manage reactions to tinnitus. PTM also 

teaches how to change your thoughts 

and feelings to cope with tinnitus. The 

method is “progressive” because different

people require different levels of services.

PTM materials have been developed by 

the VA to teach you ways to help manage your tinnitus. A step-by-step workbook is available that explains how to 

manage your reactions to tinnitus. This 

information is also available on a DVD 

and a CD.

For more information:

Contact your VA audiologist.

Use the internet: go to 

http://www.ncrar.research.va.gov/

Progressive Tinnitus

Management

PTM

TINNITUS

Questions &

Answers

However, drugs also can make tinnitus 

louder. Any use of drugs for tinnitus 

involves trial-and-error. Because of 

possible side effects, the use of drugs 

should be approached with caution.

Does my tinnitus make it 

harder for me to hear? 

Many people have hearing problems 

along with tinnitus. Some people 

think that the tinnitus causes their 

hearing problems - which is not true 

(hearing loss is the cause of hearing 

problems). If you have tinnitus or 

hearing problems, you should have a 

hearing test. 

What should I do about my 

tinnitus? 

Start by getting a hearing test (and 

hearing aids if needed). Hearing aids

can help with a hearing problem by 

amplifying sounds. Amplifying 

sounds can also help with tinnitus. 

Most people say that they notice their 

tinnitus less when they are wearing 

hearing aids. VA RR&D

NCRAR
What is tinnitus? 

Tinnitus is humming, 

ringing, buzzing, or 

other sounds in the 

ears or head. 

How do you 

pronounce “tinnitus”?

“ti-night-us” or “tin-uh-tus” - either is

correct.

What causes tinnitus? 

The most common 

cause of tinnitus is 

exposure to loud 

noise. Tinnitus can 

also be caused by 

head injury, medications, ear wax - 

and many other 

causes. For many 

people it is impossible to know the 

exact cause of tinnitus.

Is there a cure for tinnitus? 

A “cure” would be some way to make 

the tinnitus sound stop. Right now, 

there is no safe and consistent way 

to quiet tinnitus. However, there are 

many ways to feel better without making tinnitus quieter.

How can I feel better without 

making my tinnitus quieter?

You can feel better by learning how to 

change your reactions to tinnitus - or by 

learning to manage your reactions to

tinnitus. It is also important to exercise

and eat right.

How can I manage my 

reactions to tinnitus? 

First, sound can be used in many different ways to manage reactions to 

tinnitus. Soothing sound can help you 

feel better without making the tinnitus 

quieter. Interesting or entertaining sounds

can help you get your mind off of your 

tinnitus. Background sounds make it 

easier for your tinnitus to be ignored. 

You can learn to develop your own custom plan for using sound to help you

any time tinnitus is a problem. 

Second, there are methods to help you 

relax. Many people say stress makes 

their tinnitus seem louder. You can

learn relaxation exercises that will help 

you feel better. Third, you can plan 

pleasant activities even when your 

tinnitus is bothering you. Pleasant 

activities can help you enjoy life and 

help you get your mind off of your 

tinnitus. Fourth, what you think affects how you 

feel. You can 

change the 

way you think 

about your 

tinnitus from 

“there’s no 

hope for my 

tinnitus” to thoughts like “I’m learning about new ways to feel better 

without making my tinnitus quieter.” 

With practice, changing your thoughts 

and attitudes can help you feel better. 

Ask your audiologist where to get help 

coming up with new ways to think 

about your tinnitus. 

Can drugs help? 

All drugs used for tinnitus were actually developed for other problems - like 

depression, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. Some of these drugs can improve 

your mood. A better mood can help 

to make tinnitus less of a problem. In 

rare cases, a certain drug may also 

reduce the loudness of tinnitus. 

Soft breezes

Soothing voice

Babbling brook

Relaxing music

Running water

Ocean waves

TINNITUS TINNITUS

Audio Books!

Talk Radio!

Interesting Music!

Dynamic

Speech!

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TINNITUS

Soothing

sound

Interesting

sound

Background

sound