How to Diagnose Tinnitus

Do you experience ear noises, ranging from humming to ringing or buzzing, then you could be suffering from a condition known as tinnitus. Technically, tinnitus is itself a symptom of an underlying cause, which is why diagnosis is so important to ensure you receive proper treatment. Here is a quick guide to the diagnostic process.

When You First Visit Your Doctor
When you first see you doctor about ear noise, they will ask you a number of questions about your symptoms and your medical history. You’ll need to tell them things like when the symptoms began, and whether they ever disappear or get worse. You’ll also need to describe the exact type of sound, and in which ear you can hear it, if not in both.

The examination will then go through a number of steps. The doctor will check to see whether a buildup of ear wax could be causing the sounds, and they will check whether the sound can be heard with a stethoscope (for a condition known as objective tinnitus). Certain tests, such as seeing whether your tinnitus gets worse when you clench your jaw, will help to determine whether any underlying condition is to blame.

Extra Tests
Some extra tests may be needed to help get to the bottom of your ear noise. These could include an X-ray, or an MRI scan, balance tests, or blood tests. You will also generally have a complete hearing exam which will help to rule out underlying causes.

Conditions That Can Cause Tinnitus
In the majority of cases, no underlying cause will be found, and you’ll need to start treatments to help manage the condition. However, in some situations it may be that the tinnitus has come about as a result of many different conditions, including:

* Blood vessel problems, which can cause the sound of your heartbeat to be amplified in the ears.
* Stiff inner ear bones, known as otoscelrosis.
* Meniere’s syndrome.

Many of the underlying causes are easily treatable, such as a buildup of ear wax or hypertension, in which case your doctor may be able to completely cure your tinnitus.

However, for many there is no cure for ear noise. It simply comes down to learning how to manage the condition as best you can, and retraining your brain to tune out the sounds. Your doctor may recommend a course of action, or you can start to apply tinnitus self help techniques to your everyday life.