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Tinnitus: o que é, causas e tratamento em Lisboa

TINNITUS - Treatment in Lisbon

Specialised assessment and advanced treatment for tinnitus in Lisbon

WHAT IS TINNITUS?

Avaliação neurológica e neurofisiológica do Tinnitus — NeuroPsyque Lisboa

Filling the silence

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of an external sound source. More than an isolated ear problem, it is often the result of hyperactivity in the auditory pathways of the central nervous system. It can be temporary, but when it becomes chronic, the impact on concentration, sleep and overall mental health is profound and debilitating.

Most common manifestations

  • Continuous or Pulsating Sounds
    Perception of whistles, squeaks, bells, clicks, which can be constant or follow the heartbeat.
  • Aggravation in Silence
    The sound becomes much more noticeable and disturbing at night, before bed, or in very quiet environments.
  • Sleep disturbance
    Extreme difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, leading to chronic fatigue and daily exhaustion.
  • Cognitive and Emotional Impact
    Difficulty concentrating and remembering, constant irritability, development of severe anxiety and social isolation.

CAUSES AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS

Hearing Loss and Injuries

The most common cause, often induced by ageing, prolonged exposure to loud noise or sudden acoustic trauma.

Hearing

Neurological Hyperactivity

When the brain tries to "compensate" for the hearing loss by creating sound, this results in continuous hyperactivity of the central auditory pathways.

Neurological

Pulsatile Tinnitus

Caused by changes in blood flow in the veins or arteries near the ear, following the heart rhythm. Requires rigorous clinical assessment.

Vascular

Somatosensory causes

Tension in the neck muscles, problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or neck injuries that modulate the perceived sound.

Somatic
Estudo do sistema nervoso central e hiperatividade nas vias auditivas do Tinnitus

Other factors such as acute stress, severe anxiety, taking certain medications (ototoxic) and metabolic problems can trigger or worsen tinnitus.

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EFFECTIVENESS IN TREATMENT
TINNITUS

Clinical results supported by cognitive-behavioural therapies and multidisciplinary approaches

50%
reduced perception of tinnitus and improved concentration after transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), with a direct impact on focus and daily productivity
30%
improved quality of life and reduced discomfort with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), helping to reduce the mental fatigue associated with tinnitus
60%
of patients report less tinnitus intrusion and better ability to relax after neurofeedback, with an impact on sleep and anxiety
55%
clinically relevant improvement with structured psychological therapy (such as CBT), reducing stress and the way tinnitus interferes with everyday life

Sources: clinical data, Lefaucheur JP et al. (2017) - rTMS in the treatment of tinnitus, Fregni F et al. (2013) - tDCS and tinnitus modulation, Gosepath K et al. (2016) - neurofeedback in chronic tinnitus, Fuller TE et al. (2020) - Psychological therapies for tinnitus.

TECHNOLOGY AND THE THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT

Avaliação Neurofisiológica do Tinnitus
Neuromodulação para Zumbido
Estimulação Magnética Transcraniana (EMT)
Apoio Terapêutico e Habituação
tDCS - Estimulação Eléctrica Transcraniana
qEEG Mapeamento Cerebral do Tinnitus
Sala de Tratamento e Relaxamento
Espaço Clínico NeuroPsyque
Clínica Lisboa
Ondas Cerebrais
Fisiologia

THE IMPORTANCE OF A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH

Many tinnitus sufferers often hear that "there's nothing they can do" and that "they have to learn to live with it". This lack of expectations leads to despair. Although chronic tinnitus is a complex challenge, a thorough neurological and psychiatric assessment can identify the underlying causes and open the door to treatments that promote neuroplasticity and habituation.

💡 Modern treatment acts directly on the brain to reduce the perception of sound and mitigate the emotional impact of tinnitus.

At NeuroPsyque, we offer hope through advanced therapies. We use Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), which acts to regulate the hyperactivity of the auditory cortex, combined with pharmacological and psychotherapeutic strategies to treat the associated suffering and restore as much silence as possible to your life.

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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's about Tinnitus

Can Tinnitus be cured?
In some cases (such as infections or wax plugs), if the cause is cured, the tinnitus disappears. In chronic neurological or sensorineural tinnitus, there is no talk of a "cure", but rather of "habituation" and neuromodulation. The clinical goal is to reduce the perceived volume of the sound and reduce the emotional response to it, to the point where the brain no longer pays attention to the tinnitus, allowing for a perfectly normal life.
How does Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) work in Tinnitus?
Chronic tinnitus is often associated with hyperactivity in the auditory cortex and other areas of the brain responsible for sound perception. A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation uses focussed magnetic impulses to modulate and "calm" this neuronal hyperactivity, helping to reduce the intensity of the perceived tinnitus in a non-invasive way.
Do stress and anxiety make tinnitus worse?
Yes, there is a direct link. Stress and anxiety activate the autonomic nervous system and the amygdala (the fear centre in the brain), making you hypervigilant and paying even more attention to tinnitus. By treating anxiety, the discomfort and perceived volume generated by tinnitus is drastically reduced.
Do only people with hearing loss get Tinnitus?
No. Although hearing loss (even mild and undetected in everyday life) is the most common cause, there are people with normal hearing who suffer from severe tinnitus, often triggered by episodes of acute stress, neck problems, TMJ (jaw) problems or neurological disorders.
Will I have to take medication for Tinnitus?
There is no specific medicine "against" tinnitus that acts as a universal cure. However, the pharmacological intervention prescribed by the ENT doctor or neurologist may be essential to treat conditions that aggravate sound tolerance, such as severe insomnia, a secondary depression or the anxiety extreme.
Is pulsatile tinnitus dangerous?
Tinnitus that beats to the rhythm of the heart (pulsating) always requires a thorough medical assessment. It may be related to vascular changes (in the arteries or veins of the head and neck), high blood pressure, or turbulent blood flow, and can often be resolved by actively treating this underlying organic cause.
Do I need a medical referral to book an appointment at NeuroPsyque?
No, you don't need a previous medical referral. If tinnitus is affecting your quality of life, sleep or concentration, you can book your psychiatric or neurological assessment appointment directly with our clinical team. Contact us.