Understanding Tinnitus
Tinnitus isn’t a disease by itself - it’s a symptom. In many cases, it’s linked to hearing changes, but it can also be associated with factors like noise exposure, stress, jaw/neck tension, earwax, or certain health and medication influences.
There are two main categories we look at:
Subjective Tinnitus: The most common type, heard only by the person experiencing it.
Objective Tinnitus: Rare, caused by internal body sounds that may sometimes be detected during evaluation.
During your visit, we focus on the pattern of your tinnitus - when it’s worse, what it sounds like, whether it’s in one ear or both, and whether it’s steady or pulse-like - because those details guide the right next steps
Managing Tinnitus
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for tinnitus, but there are proven ways to reduce its impact.
Your care plan may include:
Comprehensive hearing testing to identify hearing loss patterns that often contribute to tinnitus perception
Education and counseling so you understand what’s happening and what helps (and what tends to make it worse)
Sound therapy options, including tinnitus maskers or sound enrichment strategies for quiet environments and bedtime
Specialized hearing technology, when appropriate, to improve hearing input and reduce tinnitus prominence
Practical lifestyle guidance for sleep, stress response, and day-to-day triggers
Our goal is simple: help you feel more in control, so tinnitus fades into the background instead of dominating your attention.
Causes of Tinnitus
Tinnitus can be triggered or intensified by several factors. Common contributors include:
Noise exposure (work, concerts, power tools, earbuds at high volume)
Hearing loss and changes in auditory processing
Stress and fatigue, which can increase your brain’s sensitivity to internal signals
Medical factors, including cardiovascular or metabolic contributors in some cases
Medication effects in certain individuals
A note on medication-related tinnitus (including “does tinnitus from prednisone go away?”): some people notice ringing start or worsen around medication changes. Don’t stop a prescribed medication on your own, but do tell your prescribing clinician—and tell us. We can evaluate hearing status, document symptom patterns, and coordinate recommendations as needed.
Why Seek Tinnitus Treatment?
Many people try to “wait it out,” but tinnitus care is often most effective when it’s approached early and systematically - especially if it’s affecting sleep, anxiety, focus, or quality of life.
Treatment and management can help you:
Sleep more reliably
Feel less stressed by quiet rooms
Improve communication and listening ease (especially if hearing loss is present)
Reduce the “spike” effect from triggers like fatigue, noise, or stress
If hearing aids are part of your plan, consistent daily use often helps your brain adapt to better sound input - improving communication and, for many patients, reducing the contrast that makes tinnitus feel louder in quiet moments.
Frequently Asked Questions
