Introduction: What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, buzzing, hissing, or pulsating sounds in the ears without an external source. These tinnitus sounds may affect one ear, both ears, or only one ear, and can range from a mild background noise to something that significantly impacts daily life.
In many cases, tinnitus is linked to hearing loss. This may be due to age related hearing loss, prolonged exposure to loud noise, or an underlying condition affecting the inner ear, middle ear or auditory pathway.
At The Hearing Space in Leeds, our clinical audiologist Paul Shaw provides expert tinnitus assessment and treatment. Our focus is on improving your hearing health and finding ways to alleviate tinnitus through tailored solutions.
Why See an Audiologist to Diagnose Tinnitus?
An experienced hearing health professional can help with diagnosing tinnitus and identifying its suspected cause. Tinnitus may be connected to:
- Noise induced hearing damage
- Stress, anxiety, or high blood pressure
- Ear wax build-up blocking the external auditory canal
- Medical conditions such as Ménière’s disease or acoustic neuroma
Without professional support, it can be difficult to objectively measure or understand the severity of your tinnitus symptoms. That’s why an initial evaluation with a qualified audiologist is recommended.
Step 1: Medical History and Initial Evaluation
Your first tinnitus appointment begins with a detailed medical history. We will ask about:
- Previous hearing test results or diagnoses
- Exposure to loud sounds or music
- The type of tinnitus you experience, such as high pitched ringing or low pitched ringing
- Whether symptoms affect one or both ears
- Any related concerns such as balance issues or stress
A physical examination of your ears will also be carried out. This may involve checking the ear bones, external auditory canal, and eardrum for infection, wax or structural problems.
Step 2: Hearing Tests for Tinnitus
To typically diagnose tinnitus and assess your hearing, audiologists use a series of common tests:
- Pure tone audiometry – measures your ability to hear sound at different frequencies and volumes.
- Speech tests – where you listen for and repeat certain words.
- Testing in a soundproof room wearing earphones – ensuring that environmental sounds don’t affect accuracy.
These hearing tests help us objectively measure hearing ability and reveal whether tinnitus is linked to hair cell damage, age related hearing loss, or another medical condition.
Step 3: Identifying the Underlying Cause
Tinnitus varies widely between patients, so part of the process is to identify the which type you may have:
- Objective – extremely rare, but can sometimes be heard by a clinician using specialised equipment. It may be related to muscle contractions or blood flow problems in the blood vessels.
- Unilateral – when symptoms affect only one ear, sometimes linked to acoustic neuroma or Ménière’s disease.
- Pulsatile – a rhythmic sound in time with your heartbeat, often caused by changes in blood flow, high blood pressure, or other vascular issues.
In some cases, additional tests may be required to rule out an underlying disorder.
Imaging Tests and Additional Diagnostics
If we suspect a more serious underlying condition, we refer patients for imaging tests such as:
MRI scans – These scans detect growths like acoustic neuroma or changes along the auditory pathway.
CT scans – These scans identify structural problems or bone abnormalities in the middle ear.
We only recommend these tests when necessary to ensure we don’t miss anything during the tinnitus assessment process.
Treatment Options for Tinnitus in Leeds
At The Hearing Space, we offer a range of tinnitus treatments tailored to each patient:
Hearing Aids and Sound Therapy
Modern hearing aids improve hearing and reduce the impact of tinnitus. By amplifying environmental sounds, they make tinnitus less noticeable. Many devices include built-in sound therapy features like calming soundscapes and masking tones.
CBT-Based Tinnitus Habituation (Oto Program)
Through our partnership with Oto, patients gain access to a leading CBT-based program. This program helps retrain how patients hear and respond to tinnitus. With daily commitment, it supports long-term improvement in how tinnitus is perceived.
Ear Wax Removal and Lifestyle Approaches
In some cases, simple ear wax removal lowers tinnitus awareness. We also advise on lifestyle strategies such as limiting loud noise exposure, managing stress, and using relaxation techniques to support overall hearing health.
Next Steps: Book Your Tinnitus Assessment in Leeds
Tinnitus may be challenging, but a professional evaluation, accurate diagnosis, and tailored treatment can help you manage symptoms effectively.
At The Hearing Space in Leeds, we combine clinical expertise with compassionate care. Whether you need to book a hearing test, hearing aids, sound therapy, or CBT support, we work with you to create a plan that fits your needs.
Book your Tinnitus Assessment today at our Leeds clinic and take the first step toward better hearing health.