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

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

4.7 out of 5 Stars based on 413 Reviews on Google.

11/02/26 Tina was there for her annual appt We met with Darci, she explained everything that was done & took an hour of time with us!! We love her so much !! She is so kind to my handicap sister ! She is also helping us get some new special...

Reviewer Profile Photo Li nda Sorell, on Google

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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Service was quick and very courteous.

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It is always great to have a cleaning and inspection of my hearing aids and getting them hooked back to my phone!

Reviewer Profile Photo Susie Kelpe, on Google

I have suffered with tinnitus for years, my primary doctor told me I probably had some hearing loss, he said hearing aids may help with the tinnitus . I’ve been very happy with everything at Hartland Hearing Center in Emporia, KS. Darcie is certified In tinnitus treatments. She is so...

Reviewer Profile Photo Farah Ferguson, on Google

I have always received excellent service here and everyone is great to deal with.

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Very efficient, Professional and friendly.

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Friendly service. Knowledgeable, great listeners, I have seen quite a few different hearing specialists and Hartland hearing has impressed me. If you are having issues with your hearing, I'm recommending this great bunch of people.

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Very good service!! Very nice staff!

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Great visit,very professional.

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Rick and Wendy are amazing and took such great care of me. They answered all my questions and really put me at ease. 100% Recommend!!!!!

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Very professional, friendly, and knowledgeable service I would recommend them

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Good service, knowledgeable people.

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I have been a patient for many years. My Audibel hearing aids have all lasted beyond normal time. Each time I needed replacement and upgrade the hearing aids improved. Their office gives excellent regular service and is genuinely concerned with providing service to their patients. I am a satisfied patient...

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Fast service today. Thanks!

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Polite and informative.

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Great people and service. Highly recommend.

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The only doctor when you walk in the door he introduces himself by his First name. good business caring doctor. i would recommend his business to anybody.

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The Hartland Hearing Care Center is an "exceptional" place to go when your hearing becomes a “scary” situation. No one likes to experience this issue. ALL the people at Hartland treats you like FAMILY. They are professional, friendly and very understanding about hearing loss. You will get the BEST care!...

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Pleasant Atmosphere; clean efficient friendly and professional environment.

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