Understanding tinnitus
Tinnitus is the perception of sound, such as ringing, buzzing, hissing, or tonal noise, with no external source.
Tinnitus should be thought of as a symptom, rather than a disease in itself. About 15% of people experience it in some form; for 2-3%, it becomes disruptive enough to affect sleep, concentration, or mood.
If you've spent any time searching for answers, you've likely seen promises of miracle cures or overnight research breakthroughs. We'll help you cut through the noise at Webster Audiology, and you can rest assured that we serve as a source of truth for what works and what doesn't.
Clinical approach
Your consultation comprises an audiologic evaluation and a targeted tinnitus history. We assess your auditory function within the clinical context of your condition and review these findings with you during the initial visit.
The objective is to formulate conclusions strictly supported by the empirical data. Accordingly, we interpret the results to determine an evidence-based clinical pathway. This may entail addressing an identified physical pathology, initiating longitudinal observation, implementing a management strategy, or facilitating further medical evaluation.
If an active management plan is initiated, subsequent follow-up allows us to evaluate therapeutic efficacy and refine your treatment protocol. Conversely, if observation is indicated, we define the specific symptomatic changes that should prompt you to request an expedited clinical reassessment.
Scheduling an evaluation
If tinnitus is bothersome, persistent, or simply something you want to understand better, an evaluation is a reasonable next step. Testing helps us assess your overall hearing health and guides our recommendations for what to do next.
Urgent: When not to wait
Some situations deserve immediate medical attention. Call the office right away if you experience:
- Tinnitus that is new and isolated to one ear
- Tinnitus accompanied by a sudden change in hearing
- Tinnitus with dizziness, ear pain, or drainage
- A sudden sense of pressure or fullness in the ear
When hearing changes suddenly, early medical evaluation matters, and the window for treatment can be short.
Common questions
Can you do anything about tinnitus?
Do you accept insurance?
Do I need a referral?
Am I expected to purchase hearing aids if I come in?
Related reading
More on tinnitus from the Journal — the science behind the symptom, the leading theories of where it comes from, and what the research says about how amplification fits in.