What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is one of the most common symptoms that SF Hearing Doctors of Audiology treat.  Tinnitus is experienced by many and understood by few. 

Tinnitus is any perception of sound without an external stimulus. It is from Latin, “tinnire” to ring.

The sound is perceived differently by people. People most often say it sounds like there is ringing in their ears, or high-pitched squealing or tones that are faintly heard.

Tinnitus is often described as a high pitched continuous or pulsating sound. Tinnitus may be constant, vary with environment, level of stress, activity and ambient noise,  Tinnitus affects approximately 8% to 25% of the population of the United States. Tinnitus may be caused by excessive or impacted wax, head or neck injury, ear infections, stress and anxiety, medications exposure, circulatory system problems,  and most commonly hearing loss.  Even a very mild hearing loss may result in tinnitus.

Tinnitus Management

Tinnitus evaluation and management begins with understanding the possible cause of your tinnitus and managing your tinnitus symptoms. During the evaluation, your audiologist determines the cause of your tinnitus based upon your medical history, exposure to hazardous levels of noise and ototoxic medications. Your audiologist will seek to understand the impact of tinnitus on your life and well being. A specialized test to determine the severity and type of tinnitus that you are experiencing will be performed by one of our Doctors of Audiology.  Based upon the findings a treatment plan will be recommended to help you to manage your tinnitus so that it is no longer interfering with your health, well being or enjoyment of everyday life.