If you have recently started having tinnitus then a visit to your GP or Physician is a good start, particularly if you believe your tinnitus may be due to a reaction to a drug, surgery or cancer treatment. We also recommend seeing your doctor if you have pulsatile tinnitus, this is where your tinnitus seems to match the beat of your pulse or heart. If you have a combination of tinnitus and dizziness / nausea - again see your doctor.
If your tinnitus is caused by a jaw, head or neck injury then a visit to a physiotherapist, acupressure specialist or chiropractor who has experience of helping treat people with tinnitus is recommended.
If you have already have a hearing aid, or if you are suffering from some hearing loss, then a visit to an audiologist is recommended. Ideally one who is experienced with helping people with tinnitus.
Some simple tips:
Naturally we cannot predict exactly what you may be asked, but we recommend you prepare in advance answers to the following "likely questions". You can download, add or subtract any questions & print the updated document out.
| Possible / Likely questions you may be asked | Your pre-prepared answers |
| When did you first become aware of the "tinnitus sounds"? | |
| Is this the first time you have experienced these sounds, or has it come & gone before? | |
| Did the sound begin suddenly, or has it gradually developed? | |
| Have you suddenly lost hearing in one, or both ears? | |
| Can you think of anything that happened, or changed at the time the sounds started? | |
| Does the tinnitus seem to match the beat of your heart or pulse? | |
| Please describe the sound (e.g. ringing, buzzing, whistling etc.) | |
| Describe where you hear the sound (e.g. one ear, both ears, it fills your head etc.) | |
| Is it a high, or low pitched sound? | |
| What medications or over the counter drugs you are taking? | |
| Have you changed medication use recently? | |
| Have you had any accidents, or injuries recently? | |
| Have you had surgery recently? | |
| Do you have a sore neck, or jaw, or clicking jaw? | |
| Is there anything that makes your tinnitus worse, or better? | |
| Have you had any recent, or prolonged exposure to loud noises (e.g. gunfire, machinery, music etc.)? | |
| Have you noticed any increased difficulty hearing people, or certain types of sound? | |
| Do you have dizziness or difficulty with your balance? | |
| Do you feel sick? | |
| Are you feeling anxious or under stress? | |
| Are you suffering from poor sleep? |
We have given a few examples for starters, but please amend these and add others to suit your personal circumstances. You can download & print the sample questions here
| Possible questions you want to ask | Notes captured during your visit |
| Can you hear the sounds (is it Objective Tinnitus)? | |
| Is there an underlying medical condition that is causing the tinnitus? | |
| What treatment, if any would you recommend? | |
| Do you recommend any changes to my medication? | |
| Should I see a specialist (ENT, Audiologist etc.)? | |
| Would I benefit from having a hearing aid? |