Lenire as Our New Solution for Tinnitus Relief

At Silicon Valley Hearing in Los Gatos, we are proud to be the first and only provider of Lenire Tinnitus Treatment in Santa Clara County. Dr. Marni Novick's personal experience with hearing loss and tinnitus, combined with her extensive clinical expertise, makes our practice uniquely qualified to help those seeking relief from tinnitus symptoms. Our comprehensive approach to tinnitus management integrates the latest evidence-based treatments with personalized care.

Tinnitus affects over 45 million people in the United States, with nearly 20 million experiencing burdensome symptoms that impact their daily lives. For approximately 2 million individuals, tinnitus becomes severely debilitating, significantly affecting their normal daily function. Through our commitment to staying at the forefront of audiology technology and treatments, we now offer this FDA-approved tinnitus solution to residents throughout the greater San Jose area.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus presents in two forms. Subjective tinnitus, accounting for over 99% of cases, involves sounds or noises within the head or ears that only the affected individual can perceive. Objective tinnitus, which is quite rare (less than 1% of cases), produces sounds that others can hear, typically resulting from circulatory problems or musculo-skeletal movement.

Several factors can contribute to tinnitus development, including:

• Noise exposure
• Hearing loss
• Impacted earwax
• Meniere's Disease
• Otosclerosis
• Metabolic and autoimmune disorders
• Head/neck injuries (including concussion and traumatic brain injury)

Patient Evaluation Process

Before recommending any tinnitus treatment, we conduct a thorough evaluation of your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. This includes measuring the pitch and volume of your tinnitus, understanding how it affects your sleep, concentration, and emotional well-being, and identifying potential triggers. This comprehensive assessment helps us determine if Lenire or another treatment approach would be most beneficial for your specific situation.

Understanding Lenire Technology

Lenire represents an evidence-based approach to tinnitus treatment, utilizing bimodal neuromodulation to help reduce tinnitus symptoms. This innovative system combines two types of nerve stimulation: auditory nerve stimulation through sound and trigeminal nerve stimulation via mild electrical impulses on the tongue.

The Lenire system consists of three main components:

1. Tonguetip: A specialized component designed to rest comfortably in the mouth, delivering mild electrical pulses to stimulate the trigeminal nerve
2. Bluetooth Headphones: Deliver customized sounds for auditory nerve stimulation
3. Controller: A handheld device allowing users to manage treatment timing and intensity

The Science Behind the Treatment

Lenire's effectiveness stems from its ability to deliver simultaneous sound and gentle electrical stimulation. This combination helps retrain the brain through neuroplasticity - the brain's natural ability to form new neural connections and adapt to new experiences. By promoting positive neuroplasticity in brain areas associated with tinnitus, the treatment can help reduce symptom severity.

Clinical research supports Lenire's effectiveness, with 83% of patients recommending the treatment based on their experiences. These results align with real-world evidence gathered from over 200 patients, demonstrating consistent positive outcomes.

Real-World Treatment Experience

Patients using Lenire typically wear the device for 30-60 minutes daily in a quiet, comfortable setting. The treatment is non-invasive and can be easily incorporated into daily routines like reading or relaxing. Many users report noticing changes in their tinnitus perception within the first few weeks of treatment, though individual experiences vary. The controller allows patients to adjust settings within prescribed parameters, ensuring comfort throughout each session.

Our Treatment Protocol

At Silicon Valley Hearing, we follow a structured approach to Lenire treatment:

1. Initial Tinnitus Assessment

During your first visit, we conduct:

• Diagnostic audiological evaluation
• Comprehensive tinnitus assessment
• Education about tinnitus
• Development of a personalized treatment plan

2. Device Fitting

This appointment includes:

• Customization of the device and Tonguetip based on your hearing profile
• Device usage training
• Supervised initial use
• Creation of a personalized tinnitus education plan

3. Follow-up Care

We provide up to three follow-up assessments to:

• Monitor progress
• Adjust device settings for optimal benefit
• Provide ongoing guidance
• Update your personalized education plan

4. Continued Support

After completing the initial treatment protocol, we offer guidance for continued home use to maintain and build upon your progress.

Long-Term Benefits and Maintenance

The effects of Lenire treatment can continue even after completing the initial protocol. Many patients maintain improvements through periodic use of the device and implementing the management strategies learned during treatment. Regular follow-up appointments help ensure sustained benefits and allow for adjustments to your treatment plan as needed. We work with each patient to develop a long-term management strategy that fits their lifestyle and tinnitus characteristics.

Why Choose Professional Tinnitus Treatment?

Tinnitus management requires a comprehensive approach. Our audiologist, Dr. Marni Novick, brings personal experience with hearing loss and tinnitus to her practice. This unique perspective, combined with her extensive professional training, allows her to provide empathetic, informed care tailored to each patient's needs.

During your tinnitus consultation, which typically lasts about two hours, we encourage you to bring a family member or friend. We begin by checking for hearing loss, as approximately 90% of tinnitus cases involve an underlying hearing loss. Based on your evaluation results, we develop a customized treatment plan incorporating various relief options and coping strategies.

Additional Tinnitus Management Options

While Lenire represents our newest tinnitus treatment option, we offer several other approaches that may be used independently or in combination:

• Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): Combines directive counseling with sound-based therapy
• Stress reduction techniques
• Medical evaluation coordination with otolaryngologists
• Psychological support through referrals to licensed clinical psychologists specializing in tinnitus management

Integration with Other Hearing Care Services

For patients with both tinnitus and hearing loss, we take a comprehensive approach to treatment. This might include combining Lenire therapy with properly fitted hearing aids that include tinnitus management features. We use Real Ear Measurements to ensure optimal hearing aid programming, which can significantly impact both hearing clarity and tinnitus perception. This integrated approach often provides better outcomes than addressing either condition in isolation.

Schedule Your Tinnitus Evaluation

Living with tinnitus doesn't mean you have to accept its constant presence in your life. If you're in the Los Gatos, San Jose, Saratoga, Campbell, Santa Cruz, Cupertino, or Santa Clara areas and seeking relief from tinnitus, contact us to learn if Lenire might be right for you. Our experienced team will conduct a thorough evaluation and discuss treatment options tailored to your specific needs. Call (408) 540-7128 to schedule your consultation at our Los Gatos office.