tinnitus Evaluation
Why Is a Tinnitus Evaluation Important?
Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, buzzing, humming, hissing, or other sounds in the ears or head when no external sound is present. Because tinnitus can have many possible causes, a comprehensive evaluation is an important first step in developing an effective management plan.
A tinnitus evaluation helps identify factors that may be contributing to your symptoms and allows your hearing healthcare professional to recommend appropriate treatment options.
What Happens During a Tinnitus Evaluation?
A tinnitus evaluation begins with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, medical history, hearing health, and lifestyle factors. Your hearing healthcare professional will ask questions about when your tinnitus started, whether it affects one or both ears, how often it occurs, and how it impacts your sleep, concentration, work, and overall quality of life. Because tinnitus is frequently associated with hearing loss, a complete hearing evaluation is typically performed as part of the assessment process.
At Santa Cruz ENT, we offer tinnitus-specific assessments that provide additional information about your tinnitus perception. During these tests, you may be asked to compare external sounds to your tinnitus to determine the pitch or frequency that most closely matches what you hear. You may also participate in loudness matching procedures, which estimate how loud your tinnitus seems compared to external sounds.