Tinnitus treatment and diagnosis

Do you have tinnitus and are wondering how to make it go away—or at least get better? You may need to work with several health care specialists to find what works for you. Because so many health conditions can trigger tinnitus, diagnosing every case is unique.

In most cases there is no cure for tinnitus, but there are many ways to manage it. One of the most popular techniques is habituation.

Diagnosing tinnitus

A hearing care professional will start by asking lots of questions about your symptoms such as:

• How long has this been going on?
• Is it occasional or constant?
• Is it worse at certain points of the day?
• Is it a pulsating sensation?
• In which ear do you hear the tinnitus? Both?
• How loud is the noise?
• Is the pitch high or low?
• It the issue extremely bothersome or just a little irritating?
• Are there certain conditions that make it worse such as exposure to noise or certain foods or beverages?
• Does the sound change?
• What does it sound like? Clicking, rushing, humming, rhythmic? 

Your provider also will likely take a medical history, examine your ear, and recommend a hearing test. Why? Tinnitus often co-occurs with hearing loss.

Tinnitus-specific tests

An audiologist or similar professional may use a series of tests to tailor your treatment. Examples include:

• A pitch match test to determine the approximate frequency of sound that you are hearing. For example, do you hear high-pitched sounds or low-pitched sounds?
• A loudness match test to quantify the level of the sound you are hearing, which could range from a whisper to a shout. It is more common for people to experience soft sounds than loud. 
• A visual analog scale to determine perceived loudness. Tinnitus is often perceived much louder than the decibel level that it matches. On a scale from zero to 10, you'll be asked to rank the loudness. About 70 percent of patients will report a loudness value of six or higher.

Treatment options

Hearing aids for tinnitus

If you have hearing loss and tinnitus, hearing aids can reduce your awareness of tinnitus while you are wearing them. That's because they amplify the sounds you want to hear, helping distract your brain from the unwanted sounds. 

Many modern hearing aids include tinnitus features to help mask unwanted sounds.

Today's hearing aids include tinnitus features to help mask unwanted sounds, such as a smartphone app.

Should you get a hearing aid for tinnitus?

Yes, if you have hearing loss. Many people report relief when they get hearing aids for tinnitus.

Tinnitus sound therapies

Tinnitus sound therapy helps you get used to the sound, with the goal of learning to ignore it. Essentially, your brain reclassified the unwanted sound as something neutral or unimportant. An audiologist trained in tinnitus therapy can help you explore several options.

Medications

There are no known medications that treat tinnitus. Instead, some medications can cause tinnitus. If you experience tinnitus after starting any new medication, or after changing a dose, discuss it right away with your pharmacist or doctor.

Behavioral treatment options for tinnitus

Mental health care is an important part of tinnitus treatment. A therapist with experience treating tinnitus patients can use a combination of sound therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy to help you manage the emotional impact of tinnitus.

Is tinnitus ever a medical emergency?

Sudden deafness and tinnitus

If you or a loved one experiences sudden hearing loss along with tinnitus (usually in just one ear), it could be idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, known as sudden deafness. Prompt treatment can help increase your chance of a full recovery.

Pulsatile tinnitus

If you hear sounds that pulse at the same rate as your heartbeat, you may have what's known as pulsatile tinnitus. This can be harmless, but needs thorough investigation since it could be a serious blood vessel or vascular condition.

Suicidal thoughts and tinnitus

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts due to tinnitus, tell a loved one and seek emergency help right away. While alarming, suicidal thoughts are treatable. You can also reach out to the National Suicide and Life Crisis by dialing 988.

Tinnitus remedies

There are many behavioral changes you can make to relieve your tinnitus or help you learn to cope with it.  

Homeopathy, hypnosis, meditation and acupuncture are also thought to help. Any activity that aims to reduce overall stress levels may also help tinnitus-related stress levels.

How to get help

Tinnitus can be extremely frustrating and can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure about your next steps. Remember that you are not alone—tinnitus, while not well-understood, is common. To get better, seek out a practitioner who has experience treating tinnitus, and be prepared to discuss your symptoms in detail so you can get relief and regain your quality of life. 

Find an audiologist that specializes in tinnitus treatment near you by visiting our directory of hearing care providers. Please note that not all hearing clinics treat tinnitus, so you may need to browse several clinic pages to find the right provider.

^{This article has been medically reviewed by Emma R. Alscher, AuD, CCC-A, a nationally certified and state-licensed audiologist. She received her doctoral degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and her clinical interests include diagnostic audiologic evaluations, hearing aids, cochlear implants, assistive listening devices and tinnitus management. Dr. Alscher is certified in tinnitus management by the American Academy of Audiology.}