Medical Questions » Ears Questions » Question No. 301
| Question: | After reading about tinnitus recently, I wish to know more about ' tinnitus maskers' . How are they obtained? Do you need a doctor' s prescription? Can pensioners get one at a reduced rate? |
| Answer: | It is essential for all patients with tinnitus (a constant ringing noise in the ears) to be thoroughly assessed by a doctor to determine any specific cause for the condition. Only after thorough assessment and trials of treatments from both your GP and an ear, nose and throat specialist, should you consider a tinnitus masker. This device produces a constant tone that ' masks' the noise in the ear. They are obtainable from hearing-aid centres in every city and major town. No doctor' s prescription is required, but it may be a matter of trial and error to find the device and frequency best suited to your particular problem. Most audiologists will allow patients to take the devices on trial for a short time before they buy. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any scheme that will allow pensioners to receive them at a subsidised price. |
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