Tinnitus is a condition in which a person hears a noise or a ringing sound when no such noise exists externally. Tinnitus can be continuous or intermittent. Tinnitus maskers and inhibitors provide relief from the symptoms of tinnitus by emitting a “white noise” or an ultra sonic signal to mask the ringing or internal noises heard.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
People who experience tinnitus may find that it affects their work performance as their symptoms may also cause:
- depression
- extreme distress
- frequent mood swings, depression or anxiety attacks
- irritability or frustration
- poor concentration
- sleep problems.
Within the workplace people with tinnitus may find it better to work:
- in a closed office rather than open plan environments
- with use of partitioning within open plan environment
- with use of sound muffling aids within workshop environments to minimise loud noises
- with use of hearing protection.
There are a number of lifestyle changes that people can make that may help to reduce the symptoms of tinnitus including:
- avoiding loud sounds
- avoiding smoking
- keeping physically and mentally active
- reducing stress levels
- reducing their intake of caffeine and alcohol.
Some people with tinnitus find they benefit from wearing a tinnitus masker at the same time as their hearing aid; some suppliers provide a unit with the two combined.
For a person to be eligible to receive funding assistance with tinnitus maskers or inhibitors through the Employment Assistance Fund, they would need to require them for a specific work need only and not for everyday use. Otherwise they are considered a medical aid and not covered under this scheme. The link below will provide more information on funding available:
For further information on hearing assistance please refer to the links below:
References
Australian Government Department of Veterans Affairs 2007, Men’s Health: Making Sense of Sensory Loss: Tinnitus, Australian Government, Canberra, viewed 27 January 2011, http://www.dva.gov.au/health/menshealth/13_tinnitus.htm.
Better Health Channel 2009, Tinnitus Explained, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 27 January 2011, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Tinnitus_explained?open.
The Inhibitor 2011, New FDA Approved Tinnitus Treatment, Melmedtronics Inc., Texas, viewed 27 January 2011, http://www.tinnitustreatment.com/inhibitor.aspx.