Tinnitus and Hearing Tests

Tinnitus affects around 1 in 8 adults in the UK. While there's no instant cure, understanding the connection between tinnitus and hearing loss is the first step to finding relief. A hearing test in Gloucester can help identify if hearing loss is contributing to your tinnitus.

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. People describe it differently:

• Ringing
• Buzzing
• Humming
• Hissing
• Whistling
• Whooshing or pulsing

It can be constant or come and go. It might be in one ear, both ears, or seem to come from inside your head.

The Link Between Tinnitus and Hearing Loss

When the ear can't hear certain frequencies properly, the brain sometimes "fills in" the gap with phantom sounds. This is why treating hearing loss often reduces tinnitus. A free hearing assessment can determine if this applies to you.

Why a Hearing Test Is Essential

If you have tinnitus, a hearing test is important because:

• It identifies underlying hearing loss - you may not know you have it
• It rules out medical causes - some need medical attention
• It guides treatment - different causes need different approaches
• It establishes a baseline - for monitoring changes over time

What a Tinnitus Assessment Includes

Full Hearing Test

A comprehensive hearing assessment to check for hearing loss across all frequencies.

Tinnitus History

Questions about when your tinnitus started, what triggers it, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects your daily life.

Tinnitus Matching

The audiologist may try to match the pitch and loudness of your tinnitus using test sounds. This helps characterise it and monitor changes.

Discussion and Advice

Explanation of findings and discussion of management options suited to your situation.

How Tinnitus Can Be Managed

While there's no universal cure, many strategies can reduce tinnitus or make it easier to live with:

Hearing Aids

For those with hearing loss, hearing aids often provide significant tinnitus relief. By restoring missing sounds, the brain has less reason to generate phantom noise. Many hearing aids include built-in tinnitus features.

Sound Therapy

Using background sounds (white noise, nature sounds, music) to reduce the contrast between silence and tinnitus.

CBT for Tinnitus

Cognitive behavioural therapy helps change your emotional response to tinnitus. It doesn't reduce the sound but can significantly reduce distress.

Lifestyle Changes

Managing stress, improving sleep, reducing caffeine and alcohol, and protecting your ears from loud noise can all help.

When to Seek Help Urgently

See a specialist promptly if your tinnitus:

• Started suddenly
• Is only in one ear
• Pulses in time with your heartbeat
• Is accompanied by hearing loss, dizziness, or pain
• Is severely affecting your sleep or mental health

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get a hearing test if I have tinnitus?

Yes. Around 90% of people with tinnitus have some hearing loss, and identifying it opens up treatment options. You can book a hearing test in Gloucester through our free service.

Can hearing aids help with tinnitus?

For many people with both hearing loss and tinnitus, hearing aids provide significant relief by amplifying external sounds.

What does a tinnitus assessment include?

A full hearing test, questions about your tinnitus, measurement of pitch/loudness, and discussion of management options.

Where can I see a tinnitus specialist in Gloucestershire?

We can connect you with audiologists experienced in tinnitus across Gloucestershire, including Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, and Tewkesbury.