Dr. Jessica Dimmick, Au.D
September 24, 2025
The FDA-Approved Tinnitus Treatment Now Available in Ankeny
For the first time, people with tinnitus have access to an FDA-approved treatment device right here in Iowa. Lenire has arrived at Hearing Doctors of the Heartland, bringing real hope to those who've been told "you'll just have to live with it."
If you're among the 30 million Americans hearing ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sounds that others can't hear, you know how isolating tinnitus can feel. Maybe you've tried masking sounds, medication changes, or stress reduction with limited success. Lenire offers something different - a treatment that actually retrains your brain's response to tinnitus.
When Silence Becomes Elusive
Picture trying to focus during an important conversation while a smoke alarm chirps in the background. For many with tinnitus, this scenario plays out daily. The phantom sounds aren't just annoying - they can derail sleep, strain relationships, and make simple tasks feel overwhelming.
Research shows one in five people with tinnitus find it severely disabling. The ripple effects touch every aspect of life - from career performance to family relationships. Many people withdraw from activities they once loved, creating a cycle where isolation makes tinnitus feel even more prominent.
Your Brain Can Learn New Patterns
Here's what makes Lenire different from anything available before: it works with your brain's natural ability to change and adapt. The device uses bimodal neuromodulation - a fancy term for stimulating two different pathways in your nervous system at the same time.
Think of it like learning to ride a bike. At first, balancing feels impossible. But with practice, your brain creates new neural pathways that make riding automatic. Lenire helps your brain develop new pathways that reduce tinnitus prominence.
The treatment combines gentle electrical pulses delivered to your tongue with specially designed sounds through headphones. This dual stimulation approach targets the specific brain networks involved in tinnitus perception. Over time, your brain learns to process these signals differently, often leading to significant symptom relief.
What surprised many of our patients is how comfortable the treatment feels. The tongue stimulation isn't painful - patients describe it as a mild tingling sensation, similar to touching your tongue to a 9-volt battery as a kid (but much gentler).
A Simple System That Fits Your Life
The Lenire device consists of three straightforward components that work together seamlessly:
The handheld controller manages your treatment sessions with intuitive buttons and a clear display. No complicated programming or confusing menus - just simple controls that anyone can master quickly.
Wireless headphones deliver the auditory portion of your treatment. They're comfortable enough for hour-long sessions and connect automatically when you start your treatment.
The Tonguetip is a small, sterile component that rests comfortably on your tongue during treatment. Each patient receives their own set of tips, and the gentle electrical stimulation is precisely calibrated for comfort and effectiveness.
Real Results from Rigorous Testing
When the FDA approved Lenire in 2023, it marked a turning point for tinnitus treatment. This wasn't a quick approval - it required extensive clinical trials proving both safety and effectiveness across diverse patient populations.
The studies revealed something remarkable: a significant percentage of participants experienced meaningful improvement in their tinnitus symptoms. More importantly, these improvements often persisted beyond the active treatment period, suggesting lasting changes in how their brains processed tinnitus signals.
We've seen patients regain pieces of their lives they thought were lost forever. The man who started attending church again because he could tolerate the acoustics. The grandmother who began babysitting her grandchildren because she could focus on their needs rather than her tinnitus."
Who Benefits Most from Lenire Treatment
Lenire works best for adults whose tinnitus significantly impacts daily life. Whether your tinnitus started after noise exposure, appeared seemingly from nowhere, or developed alongside hearing loss, you might be a candidate for treatment.
Many of our most successful patients had tried other approaches first. They came to us feeling frustrated but hopeful that something new might help. Often, these are people who refuse to accept that "nothing can be done" about their tinnitus.
During your assessment, we'll discuss your specific tinnitus characteristics - when it's most bothersome, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects your daily activities. This conversation helps us determine whether Lenire aligns with your treatment goals and lifestyle.
Some patients worry they're "not bad enough" to need treatment. If tinnitus bothers you, that's reason enough to explore your options. You don't need to suffer in silence simply because others might have more severe symptoms.
What Your Treatment Journey Looks Like
Lenire treatment happens in the comfort of your home, fitting into your existing routine rather than disrupting it. Daily 60-minute sessions become as routine as morning coffee or evening news - a dedicated time for healing that many patients find surprisingly relaxing.
We start with comprehensive training at our Ankeny clinic. You'll leave feeling confident about using every component of the device. Our team provides detailed instructions, answers all your questions, and ensures you're completely comfortable with the process.
Follow-up appointments let us track your progress and make adjustments as needed. Many patients notice subtle improvements within the first few weeks, though everyone's timeline differs. We celebrate the small victories - better sleep one night, improved concentration during a meeting, or simply feeling more hopeful about the future.
Why We Chose to Offer Lenire
At Hearing Doctors of the Heartland, we've always believed that people with hearing and balance disorders deserve access to the most advanced treatments available. When Lenire became available, we immediately pursued certification because we knew our patients needed this option.
Our extensive tinnitus experience made us ideal candidates for Lenire certification. We've helped thousands of people manage tinnitus through sound therapy, counseling, and hearing aid fitting. Adding Lenire to our toolkit means we can offer hope to those who haven't found relief through traditional approaches.
Accessible Care at Our Ankeny Location
We've made Lenire treatment available at our Ankeny location to serve patients throughout Iowa and the surrounding areas. Our Ankeny clinic is located at:
1810 SW White Birch Circle, Suite 104, Ankeny, Iowa 50023
We understand that some patients may need to travel for this specialized treatment. Our team is committed to making your visits as convenient as possible, with flexible scheduling and comprehensive support throughout your Lenire journey.
Take the First Step Toward Quieter Days
Living with tinnitus doesn't have to mean accepting a diminished quality of life. Lenire represents genuine hope - not just another coping strategy, but a treatment that can create lasting change in how your brain processes tinnitus signals.
You deserve to explore every option that might bring you relief. Whether you've had tinnitus for months or decades, whether it's mild annoyance or major disruption, we're here to help you understand if Lenire might be your path forward.
For Lenire treatment, call our Ankeny location at (515) 964-1134 to schedule your assessment. For other hearing and tinnitus services, we're also available at:
Iowa Locations:
- Fort Dodge: (515) 573-8081
Illinois Locations:
Let's have an honest conversation about your tinnitus, your goals, and whether this FDA-approved treatment might help you reclaim the peace you've been missing.