Understanding Tinnitus

Are You Or Someone You Love Experiencing Ringing, Buzzing or Whistling in your Ears with or without Hearing Aids?

Tinnitus can affect people in many ways. 

Hearing

In some cases, the ringing sound of tinnitus can make it difficult to understand speech.

Concentration

Some tinnitus sufferers report difficulty focusing on a book or reading the newspaper.

Thoughts

Some sufferers can be annoyed, bothered, or depressed and think about tinnitus often.

Everyone’s tinnitus is different, which is why every solution should be personalized. Darcie Hartwick is our Nationally Board-Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist and Certified Tinnitus Care Provider who understands tinnitus and can assist you in finding relief with a customized Audibel Tinnitus Treatment Solution tailored just for YOU. Audibel tinnitus devices use precise measurements from your audiogram to create a relief stimulus customized specifically for you. Darcie will adjust sound frequency and modulation to better address your unique tinnitus. 

 The result is personalized sound therapy designed to: 

  • Mask or cover up your tinnitus. 
  • Reduce the loudness of your tinnitus. 
  • Take your focus off your tinnitus. 

If you’ve tried other tinnitus relief options without success or are ready to stop letting the ringing in your ears take over your life, schedule your evaluation today. Darcie will provide you with a specialized evaluation to diagnose tinnitus and what relief options are right for you. 

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the medical term for the sensation of hearing sound in your ears when no external sound is present. It affects 50 million (nearly one in six) Americans. Most describe the sound as ringing, though others describe it as hissing, buzzing, whistling, roaring or chirping.

For some, tinnitus is mild or intermittent. For others, it’s severe and can have a profound impact on their quality of life. For everyone, finding tinnitus relief is important.

What causes tinnitus?

The exact physical cause of tinnitus is not known, but several sources can trigger it or make it worse, including: Loud noises and hearing loss – Exposure to loud noises can destroy the non-regenerative cilia (tiny hairs) in the cochlea, causing permanent tinnitus and/or hearing loss.

Aging

As you age, those same cilia gradually deteriorate, which can lead to tinnitus and/or hearing loss.

Ototoxic medications

Some prescription medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and antidepressants are harmful to the inner ear as well as the nerve fibers connecting the cochlea to the brain.

Hearing conditions

Disorders like otosclerosis and Ménière’s disease are known to cause tinnitus.

Health conditions

Tinnitus can also be a symptom of health conditions like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stress and head injuries.

Is there a cure?

Currently, there is no known tinnitus cure. But according to the American Tinnitus Association, there are recommended ways to get relief, including counseling and sound therapy.

Proven tinnitus relief products are an effective part of any sound therapy. They utilize a customizable and comforting sound stimulus to soothe the annoying noises associated with tinnitus.

What should you do if you think you have tinnitus?

The first step is to visit a hearing healthcare professional for a clinical evaluation. Specialized tests are performed to diagnose tinnitus and different options can be discussed to find what is right for you.

Take our free online tinnitus test

To gain a better understanding of your tinnitus and get relief suggestions, take our quick and easy test.

Did you know?

  • Up to 90% of people with tinnitus have some level of noise-induced hearing loss.1
  • 1 in 10 American adults have experienced tinnitus lasting at least five minutes in the past year.2
  • Tinnitus is the leading service-related disability among U.S. veterans.3

1Source: WebMD
2Source: National Institute on Deafness
3Source: American Tinnitus Association

Patient Reviews

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Read what some of our patients have to say about our staff and our office!

Very friendly staff. Darcie is very knowledgeable and helped me to better understand my hearing situation. I will definitely be recommending this place to others!

Reviewer Profile Photo Siara Fager, on Google

Appt. 10/24/25 I had brought Tina in for her annual appt.. Darcie found infractions in both ears We had to call the doctors office & get medicine drops for both ears. Shr cleaned the heating aids found out the right one she couldn't heat out of it. Thank goodness she...

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All the staff at Heartland Hearing do a fantastic job! I believe that they have a genuine concern for my hearing health. Darci is wonderful. I know that I can be difficult, but she and I click!!

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All in all, I am very happy with the service I have received Heartland Hearing Care Center in Manhattan. Rick is very knowledgeable about his business, but I did not appreciate how pushy they are to commit to a contract in the very first visit. I understand the reason, as...

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It was great, I was in and out in less than five minutes

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Great service checking my hearing aids.

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The Hartland Hearing Care Centers is an "exceptional" place to go, if you are uncertain about any hearing loss that you might be experiencing. You will be treated with the utmost care by experienced people who will educate and help you understand about hearing loss, no matter how minor or...

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Great people to do business with!

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Transitioning into hearing aids has been a breeze with their help.

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Great service. Thank You

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Sending aids off for repairs. Hoping this is quick and effective.

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Polite and informative.

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I am very pleased with the services overall, on a scale of 1-10 their a 10. I feel the Doctor did a very thorough examination. The receptionist she was so very helpful and polite.

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The Staff was very helpful and friendly. I was treated very well. I can't wait to get my Hearing aids. Thank you Heartland Hearing Care Centers

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Darcie was amazing! I thought I was losing hearing in my left ear but turns out it was just a severe ear infection & with antibiotics cleared it right up! Then tested my hearing today and it’s mild! Thank goodness for that. Will be doing annual checks to stay on...

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Hartland gets my strongest recommendation! Very good atmosphere and friendly considerate employees. This place will make hearing aids work for you! Excellent follow-up processes to ensure ongoing healthy hearing!

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Very friendly, fast and efficient, personalized care

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From the first time walking in the door you are treated with respect and kindness. After your exam and test you have a feeling of you have a new extended family..Thank you

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Excellent follow up service 90 days after the purchase of my hearing aids to include a cleaning and software update check. Thank you. Eric

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