New treatment for hearing condition that affects many pilots and aviation workers
A new clinically proven treatment for tinnitus – a hearing condition which affects many pilots and aviation workers and can lead to distress and disturbance for sufferers - is now offering a way to manage the condition and bring reduced awareness of tinnitus.

Tinnitus - which affects around 15-20% of all Australians and is distressing and disturbing for 1 to 2% of these people - can be caused by hearing loss resulting from exposure to loud noises, and is therefore a condition that can affect those who have worked in noisy environments or those with noisy hobbies, including professional and amateur pilots, and aviation workers.

The Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment is based on over a decade of research into the effect of various sounds or ‘acoustic stimuli’ on tinnitus, and provides customised stimulation to auditory pathways that have been affected by hearing loss or tinnitus.

People with tinnitus hear sounds that are not present in the external environment and can include ringing in the ears, buzzing and humming background sounds, roaring or whistling noise in the ears.

By listening to the treatment signal over several months for 2-3 hours a day through a Processor the size and shape of a mobile phone, users become desensitised to their tinnitus even when not wearing the device.

By bringing reduced awareness of tinnitus, the treatment can potentially lead to restored sleep, enhanced relaxation, and improved tolerance of loud noises.

According to Dr Peter Hanley, Chief Executive Office of Neuromonics, the treatment has proven highly effective through clinical trials conducted in Perth and Sydney.

“Some of the people who have come in for assessments have been pilots, or involved in the aviation industry, and have therefore spent time around loud machinery and high noise levels.

“For many of those who have undergone Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment, their tinnitus had got to a point where it was causing considerable distress and impacting negatively on work, family and social life, due to the constant presence of these sounds.

“Whilst we can’t predict the results for each individual, our trials have shown that of the people who had completed treatment 97% reported relief from their tinnitus, and 90% reported reduced disturbance from tinnitus,” says Dr Hanley.

The treatment signal is unique for every individual as it is matched to their hearing and tinnitus characteristics, with users guided through an interactive and progressive program of care with specialist Neuromonics audiologists.

The first step for tinnitus sufferers considering Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment is to have an assessment of their hearing and tinnitus at a specialist Neuromonics Tinnitus Clinic to find out if they are suitable for the treatment.

Neuromonics currently has clinics offering treatment in Sydney and Perth, with plans to expand around Australia early in 2005, and eventually make it available in the USA and Europe.

Neuromonics can be contacted on 1300 367 907, or via their website at www.neuromonics.com.

***
Released for Neuromonics Ltd by Dennis Rutzou Public Relations.
For further information please call Kristen Mackie or Dennis Rutzou on (02) 9413 4244.