Tinnitus test — it’s usually the first step to figuring out what’s going on when that annoying high-pitched noise just won’t go away.
If you’re hearing ringing, buzzing, or even whooshing sounds in your ears that no one else hears, you’re not alone. These are signs of tinnitus — a condition that many people experience at some point in life. For some, it’s a minor distraction. For others, it’s hard to ignore and stressful.
"Treble Health helped me turn down the sound of my tinnitus. Now I can breathe, and get on with my life!"
"Treble Health helped me turn down the sound of my tinnitus. Now I can breathe, and get on with my life!"
– Elisa
Book a free consultation to learn which Treble Health solution is right for you. Join Elisa and thousands more who have found lasting tinnitus relief.
Let’s talk about how a tinnitus test works, why it matters, and what to do next based on your results. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, in the same clear and helpful way I’d explain it to a patient in my clinic.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus (pronounced tin-uh-tiss or tin-eye-tiss) is the experience of hearing sound when no external sound is present. It often sounds like:
- Ringing
- Buzzing
- Hissing
- Whooshing
- High-pitched whines
Everyone hears it differently, which makes it even more challenging to describe.
Common Causes of Tinnitus
A tinnitus test is only helpful when we understand what might be causing the noise in the first place. Let’s explore the most common causes — each of these can trigger or worsen tinnitus:
Hearing Loss
This is the most frequent cause of tinnitus. As your inner ear ages or sustains damage, it sends fewer sound signals to the brain. To compensate, your brain may start generating sounds on its own — and that becomes tinnitus.
Ear Infections or Injuries
Infections can cause fluid buildup or pressure changes, leading to temporary tinnitus. If the infection or injury damages the ear, the effects — including tinnitus — can linger even after you heal. Scarring or inflammation may still affect how sound travels through your ear.
Loud Noise Exposure
After a loud concert or using power tools, you might notice ringing in your ears. That’s noise-induced tinnitus. Regular exposure to loud environments can harm the delicate inner ear cells. Once those cells are damaged, they don’t grow back — and the result can be lasting tinnitus.
Ototoxic Medications
Certain medications are known to be harmful to the inner ear. These include high doses of aspirin, some antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and diuretics. If you hear ringing or buzzing shortly after starting a new medication, it’s worth checking if it’s ototoxic.
TMJ Dysfunction
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) — which connects your jaw to your skull — is located right next to the ears. If this joint becomes inflamed or misaligned, it can affect nearby auditory structures, potentially causing or worsening tinnitus.
Neck or Head Injuries
A car accident or fall can cause head or neck trauma, which might affect nerves, blood vessels, or other structures tied to hearing. Tinnitus from injury may come with dizziness or hearing loss, depending on the extent of the damage.
Stress and Anxiety
Stress doesn’t cause tinnitus directly, but it can turn up the volume. When you’re overwhelmed, your nervous system becomes more alert. That makes your brain focus on sounds it would normally ignore — like the ringing or buzzing of tinnitus.
Other Health Conditions
Tinnitus can also be linked to health issues such as high blood pressure, thyroid disorders, Meniere’s disease, or even non-cancerous tumors like acoustic neuromas. That’s why your provider might ask about your medical history or refer you for imaging tests if needed.
What Is a Tinnitus Test?
A tinnitus test usually begins with a standard hearing test from an audiologist. Here’s what we’re looking at:
- How well you hear sounds across different pitches
- Differences in hearing between your ears
- Whether hearing loss may be contributing to your tinnitus
We may also use tinnitus questionnaires to measure the severity of your symptoms and how much they affect your daily life.
Why Normal Hearing Doesn’t Always Mean No Tinnitus
You can have normal results on a hearing test and still have tinnitus. That’s because your brain might be reacting to subtle changes — differences that aren’t major enough to show up on the chart but are enough to confuse your hearing system. You may also have hearing loss or processing issues that aren’t picked up by a standard hearing test. In these cases, additional specialized testing (i.e., ultra high frequency testing, distortion product otoacoustic emissions) can provide more information.
If your hearing was better a few years ago than it is now, your brain might create sound to fill in the missing input. That “phantom sound” is what we recognize as tinnitus.
What a Tinnitus Test Tells Us
Once the test is complete, we can better understand what’s causing your tinnitus. The test may reveal:
- High-frequency hearing loss
- Damage from loud noise
- A normal hearing range (which still gives us helpful information)
It also helps us determine whether further testing is needed — like imaging tests or a referral to an ear, nose, and throat specialist — especially if we suspect a structural problem or another medical condition.
When to Get a Tinnitus Test
Consider getting tested if any of these sound like you:
- The ringing or buzzing is constant or worsening
- You’re noticing hearing loss
- Your ears feel full or blocked
- You experience dizziness or ear pain
- You want to stop wondering and get answers
The sooner you get answers, the sooner we can help you feel better.
Can Tinnitus Be Treated?
In many cases, yes! If an ear infection, TMJ issue, or hearing loss is behind your symptoms, treating that cause can improve or even stop your tinnitus.
When the cause isn’t clear or isn’t treatable, we can still manage the symptoms using methods like:
- Hearing aids with tinnitus masking features
- Sound therapy to reduce focus on the noise
- Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) to teach your brain to ignore it
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to help lower stress and improve sleep
This personalized approach is how many patients with tinnitus learn to live better and reduce the impact of their symptoms.
Why Stress Management Is Key
It’s common to hear patients say, “My tinnitus wasn’t that bad — until I got really stressed.” That’s because when you’re anxious or overwhelmed, your brain pays more attention to tinnitus.
Managing stress makes a huge difference. Breathing techniques, counseling, or lifestyle changes can help your brain tune the sound out.
It’s not about ignoring your tinnitus. It’s about giving your nervous system the tools to stay calm so the ringing doesn’t take over your day.
Don’t Wait — Take Action to Get Relief
Still hearing that high-pitched tone? A tinnitus test is your first step toward understanding why it’s happening — and what to do about it.
Schedule a free consultation with Treble Health today to find out what type of hearing aid or treatment might work best for you. We’ve helped thousands of people reduce their tinnitus and regain their peace of mind. Your success story could be next.
Here’s how to get started:
- Book a hearing test with a licensed audiologist.
- Review your medical history and symptoms.
- Get a custom care plan that may include hearing aids, sound therapy, or other treatments.
You don’t have to live with tinnitus alone. The right support can make all the difference. Let’s take that first step together.
Next Step: Book Free Consultation
- 75% of patients reduced their tinnitus within three months after following our recommendations.
- "I feel like Treble Health literally gave me my life back." - Randy S. (verified customer)
- Join thousands of people who have reduced their tinnitus after scheduling a free consultation.
