An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from tinnitus, according to officials. Local audiologist Nola Aronson wants to ensure patients understand the causes and have the tools to manage the symptoms.

Ranging in degrees of severity, tinnitus commonly manifests as a ringing in the ears, buzzing, hissing, whistling, whooshing or clicking. Age-related hearing loss is one of the most common causes, and other causes include exposure to loud noises and ear wax buildup.  There is no known cure, but there are treatment options.

“Anyone who suffers from tinnitus knows just how inescapable and debilitating the symptoms can be,” said Aronson, owner of Advanced Audiology. “It’s important to have your hearing checked, because often hearing loss can be linked to tinnitus. If we know what the problem is, we can more effectively help people.”

Advanced Audiology offers a variety of therapy and treatment options, including sound and music therapy, stress management, hearing aids and advice on certain medications that can be of assistance.

Aronson is also excited about new resources available for users of Starkey Hearing Technologies hearing aids, which Advanced Audiology provides, with built-in tinnitus relief.

Researchers have found that tinnitus sufferers can benefit from a variety of sound therapies, and Starkey recently introduced a smartphone app called Relax that includes a dozen soothing sounds – including ocean waves, rain and a crackling fire – to help ease the symptoms of tinnitus. The sounds can be streamed directly to certain Starkey hearing aids offered by Advanced Audiology.

Tinnitus treatment is a special focus of Advanced Audiology’s practice, and Aronson said the Relax app is a great additional tool to recommend to her patients.

“This app is a really wonderful development in the treatment of tinnitus,” she said. “Not only does it put a therapeutic tool right at their fingertips, but also if they are a hearing aid user they have an additional resource available to them immediately.”

Aronson recommends hearing screenings for those suffering tinnitus, particularly to determine if hearing loss is a root cause.

Free hearing screenings can be scheduled by calling (661) 200-0545. For more information on Advanced Audiology’s tinnitus treatment services, visit www.scvadvancedaudiology.com/tinnitus-treatment-valencia-ca.

Advanced Audiology is the largest diagnostic hearing center in the Santa Clarita Valley, and offers a complete hearing healthcare program that includes free batteries, quarterly cleanings and adjustments.

Advanced Audiology was founded in Santa Clarita in 2010 by Nola Aronson, who has been fitting hearing aids for more than 30 years, previously serving as Director of Audiology for Valley Hospital Medical Center in Van Nuys. She is a member of the California Academy of Audiology’s 2015 board of directors, and represents audiologists in Southern California. In 2014, she was named Community Champion of the Year at the Santa Clarita Valley Leadership Awards.