Tinnitus & Sound Sensitivity Care at Wavefront Centre
At Wavefront Centre, we understand that tinnitus and decreased sound tolerance (DST), including conditions like hyperacusis and misophonia, can have a negative impact on your daily life, from disrupted sleep and focus to emotional well-being.
Our hearing clinics offer specialized services to support you including comprehensive evaluations, tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), sound therapy, and personalized counselling, all based on evidence-based care.
Because tinnitus and DST affect each person differently, we take a tiered and individualized approach – tailoring care based on the complexity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. You are always at the centre of the plan.
If you’re looking for tinnitus support in Vancouver, our experienced team is here to help you understand your symptoms and explore strategies to reduce their impact.
Decreased Sound Tolerance
Decreased sound tolerance can take different forms, including hyperacusis and misophonia, and can significantly impact a person’s comfort and well-being.
Hyperacusis is a heightened sensitivity to everyday sounds that are generally well tolerated by others. For individuals with hyperacusis, sounds such as running water, a car engine running, or people chatting may feel uncomfortably or unbearably loud.
Misophonia, on the other hand, causes a strong emotional or physiological response to specific ‘trigger’ sounds such as chewing, breathing, pen clicking, or other repetitive noises.
At Wavefront Centre, we recognize how distressing these conditions can be and provide support and specialized treatment for decreased sound tolerance. We also offer referrals to specialized care for individuals whose misophonia or hyperacusis requires more targeted or multidisciplinary support.
Components of our Tinnitus and Decreased Sound Tolerance program
Diagnostic hearing assessment and Tinnitus/DST evaluation
A hearing assessment is recommend for anyone seeking advice about their tinnitus and/or sound tolerance concerns. We’ll gather all relevant medical and hearing health-related history before completing a comprehensive hearing test, as well as answer any questions you may have.
We’ll review your results and the next steps for treatment options: management strategies, hearing assistive devices, counselling services on tinnitus and DST, and more could be the right option for you and your Tinnitus/DST symptoms.
In some cases, a follow-up appointment may be advised. If further referrals are recommended, a report to your main healthcare practitioner will be provided with your consent. You may also be invited to attend our special Tinnitus/DST Education Session.
Follow-up counselling sessions
We offer follow-up counselling sessions to help you track the effectiveness of your preferred strategies, adjust your treatment plan as needed, and continue building your understanding of tinnitus and DST.
If your tinnitus or DST is having a significant impact on your mental health, we recommend pairing our services with behavioural therapies provided by a licensed mental health professional for the most comprehensive care.
Individualized Tinnitus/DST therapy
We offer a structured treatment program designed to provide personalized, long-term support to help you manage your tinnitus or DST.
Typically delivered over 5-7 sessions across 12 to 18 months, this approach incorporates elements of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), Progressive Tinnitus Management (PTM), and Tinnitus Activities Treatment (TAT).
We begin with a comprehensive two-hour initial consultation to better understand why your tinnitus or DST may be persistent, set personalized treatment goals, and provide focused counselling.
Each follow-up session (about one hour) focuses on reviewing your progress, refining strategies, and adjusting your treatment plan as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs about Tinnitus
Can’t find an answer?
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus (pronounced TIN-uh-tus or tin-EYE-tus) is the perception of sound when no external source is present. It is often described as ringing, buzzing, hissing, or whistling in the ears. For some, the sound is constant while for others, it comes and goes.
Tinnitus is very common, you are not alone. Millions of Canadians experience is, and while it can feel isolating or frustrating, there are ways to better understand and manage it. If you’ve been noticing a persistent sound in your ears, a tinnitus screening at Wavefront Centre is a supportive first step toward improving your hearing health and quality of life.
What are some common causes of tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease, and it can be triggered by a variety of factors, sometimes with no clear cause.
Some common contributors include:
- Damage to the inner ear (from loud noise exposure or natural aging)
- Middle ear conditions, such as ear infections or otosclerosis
- Head, neck, or jaw injuries, including whiplash or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
- Certain medications, especially those known to affect the auditory system (ototoxic medications)
- Neurological conditions, including benign growths on the auditory nerve (acoustic neuromas)
- Muscle spasms in the middle ear
- Other underlying health issues.
Is there a connection between tinnitus and hearing loss?
In many cases, tinnitus is linked to hearing loss, even if the loss is subtle or goes unnoticed. In some cases, the exact cause remains unknown.
That’s why a thorough hearing assessment is an important first step in understanding and managing your tinnitus.
Will a hearing aid help with ringing in my ears?
Hearing aids can often help reduce the impact or tinnitus by restoring access to the everyday sounds you have been missing due to hearing loss.
When your brain is reconnected to the sounds around you, it has more meaningful input to focus on, which can make the perception of tinnitus less noticeable over time.
Contact us
Effective solutions for Tinnitus/DST relief
Tinnitus and decreased sound tolerance can affect more than just your hearing—they can impact your mental and emotional well-being, too.
If you’re feeling frustrated or overwhelmed by your symptoms, you don’t have to manage them alone. Whether you’re exploring hearing aids, sound therapy, or counselling to help retrain how your brain processes sound, Wavefront Centre is here to support you.
Fill out the form below, and a member of our team will be in touch to help you take the first step toward lasting relief and a better quality of life.
Don’t want to wait? Call us at your most convenient location.
Mount Pleasant: 604-736-7391
Kitsilano: 778-329-0870
Tri-Cities: 604-942-7397
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