Tinnitus – a common but often underestimated condition
A new successful treatment alternative from Austria!
Tinnitus is one of the most common complaints in the ENT field. Many people experience it at least temporarily, but for a significant number it becomes a permanent burden. The perceived sound—whistling, hissing, humming, or knocking—is not caused by an external sound source, but is generated in the auditory system itself. For those affected, this can lead to a significant reduction in quality of life.
Causes: diverse and not always clear-cut
The development of tinnitus is complex, and several factors often play a role. The most common causes include:
1. Problems with the cervical spine and jaw muscles
- Tension or poor posture
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD)
2. Stress
- Mental tension is considered one of the strongest amplifiers—and sometimes also a trigger—of tinnitus.
3. Inner ear damage
- Noise pollution (work, leisure, headphones)
- Aging processes of the inner ear
- sudden hearing loss
- Circulatory disorders of the inner ear
4. Metabolic and circulatory factors
- High blood pressure or fluctuations in blood pressure
- Metabolic disorders (e.g., thyroid, diabetes)
The cause often remains unclear, which is additionally unsettling for those affected.
Impairment of quality of life
Tinnitus is much more than just noise in the ears. It affects many areas of everyday life, especially when it is permanent or severe.
Heart palpitations and inner restlessness
The constant noise can overstimulate the autonomic nervous system. Many affected individuals report palpitations-like heart symptoms or a permanent “feeling of alarm.”
Sleep disturbances
The sound is more noticeable in quiet environments. This makes it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep, which in turn increases stress during the day.
Concentration problems
The brain constantly focuses its attention on the disturbing sound. This can make working, reading, or holding conversations significantly more strenuous.
Digestive problems
Stress and tension often affect the gastrointestinal tract, causing symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome, loss of appetite, or cramping. These side effects can create a vicious cycle in which stress exacerbates tinnitus and vice versa.
Therapy – often a long journey
Despite intensive research, there is still no universally effective treatment that reliably eliminates tinnitus. Therapy therefore usually aims to reduce the perception of the noise and improve quality of life.
Current approaches:
- Information and counseling (tinnitus counseling):
Helps to classify the noise and reduce the stress it causes. - Hearing aids and maskers:
These are particularly helpful if you also have hearing loss. They improve your hearing and can mask the tinnitus. - Behavioral therapy / Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): The goal is to “get used” to the sound so that it is less disturbing.
- Physical therapy/manual therapy:
When muscular or jaw-related triggers are involved. - Treatment of comorbidities:
Blood pressure, metabolism, stress reduction, and sleep regulation can bring about significant improvement.
Despite these possibilities, the success rate remains limited, as tinnitus is very individual.
We are pleased to introduce a new therapeutic alternative. The
ForgTin bracket
ForgTin ear hooks are a CE-certified medical device used to relieve tinnitus. They work by gently and continuously stimulating three areas around the ear to reduce ringing in the ears and relieve stress, jaw, and neck tension. The hooks are made of stainless steel and silicone and are worn during the day.
How ForgTin ear hooks work:
- Non-invasive stimulation: The ear hooks apply gentle pressure (gentle touch) to provide continuous stimulation to specific areas around the ear.
- Reduction of ear noises: The stimulation is intended to reduce the perception of tinnitus noises and can lead to silence.
- Treatment of accompanying symptoms: In addition to tinnitus, the headbands can also help with associated complaints such as jaw and neck tension, stress, and sleep problems.
- (Fabric) material: The hanger is made of stainless steel and soft-touch silicone.
Comfort and application:
- The ear hooks are easy to put on and are worn during the day.
- They should be worn on (can be worn on one or) both ears.
- They are suitable for people who wear glasses and hearing aids.
Proven effect:
- Studies and user reports show that ForgTin® significantly reduces tinnitus volume and the associated stress after 6 to 12 weeks of wear.
- A significant reduction in subjectively perceived jaw and neck tension was also reported.
- Many users also report an improvement in sleep quality.
We would be happy to provide you with information about the product at our practice.
