Tinnitus

Tinnitus is unique to the person experiencing it and can be there all the time, or come and go.  The volume of your tinnitus can vary from one episode to the next and may be in one ear, both ears, or in the middle of your head. 

If you have tinnitus, you may hear: 

• ringing

• buzzing

• hissing

• whistling

• whooshing 

• other noises that may even sound like tunes or songs   

It's particularly important to get in touch with one of our ENT specialists if you experience: 

• a persistent pulsating sound 

• persistent one-sided tinnitus

• tinnitus that’s associated with any other ear symptom, such as one-sided hearing loss, pain or discharge 

Urgent medical attention is needed for tinnitus if: 

• there’s also a sudden onset of nervous system symptoms such as facial droop, balance difficulties, and arm or leg weakness

• it starts after a head injury

• you experience sudden hearing loss

• you experience a sudden onset of pulsating

Tinnitus itself is not a disease or illness, and it does not always have an identifiable cause. In some people, tinnitus may be brought on by: 

• a change in the ear, such as an ear infection, a cold, or wax blocking the ear 

• exposure to loud noise over a long time, such as power tools, live music concerts, or noisy machinery

• age-related hearing loss

• high blood pressure 

• a stressful life event

• certain medications such as some antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs or loop diuretics

In a small number of patients, an underlying condition causes their tinnitus, which may require specific treatment. 

More rarely, tinnitus can be caused by: 

• vestibular schwannoma

• paragangliomas

• vascular malformations

• otosclerosis

• Ménière's disease

• superior semicircular canal dehiscence

• middle ear myoclonus

• benign intracranial hypertension

At your initial consultation, one of our ENT specialists will talk to you about your specific symptoms, the nature of the noise you hear, and your medical history. They’ll also examine your head, neck, jaw, and ears. 

Further tests may include: 

• a hearing test 

• a pressure test (tympanometry)

• blood tests 

• MRI, CT, or ultrasound scans to check for underlying conditions

Tinnitus cannot always be prevented, but there are things you can do to reduce the risk of developing it. 

Reduce your risk of developing tinnitus by: 

• protecting your ears from loud noises 

• seeking prompt treatment for ear infections or other ear problems, such as a buildup of earwax

Unresolved tinnitus can have a big impact on daily life.

Complications of tinnitus include: 

• fatigue due to loss of sleep 

• impaired concentration

• heightened sensitivity to everyday sounds 

• depression 

• anxiety

In many cases, tinnitus can’t be cured, but our ENT specialists can help you manage the condition and reduce its impact on your daily life. 

Options to help with the management of tinnitus:

• counselling, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and habituation-based therapy

• hearing aids

• sound therapy – where an ambient noise is used to reduce the impact of the tinnitus 

• support groups

If your tinnitus is caused by an underlying condition, your consultant may refer you for diagnosis and treatment of that condition within the Welbeck ecosystem.

At Welbeck, our ENT specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.