While basic hearing tests can check if you have hearing loss, you may need different tests if you have tinnitus. Tinnitus is a condition that can cause changes in your hearing. Therefore, if you suspect tinnitus affects your hearing, you need to see your doctor for an examination. Continue reading to learn more about tinnitus and how the doctor may test for it.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a condition where you hear ringing or other odd noises in one or both ears. Most people experience this condition temporarily and occasionally. When it happens more often, it could affect your hearing and cause distress.

Tinnitus has many causes. Some cases are due to infections or ear wax blockage. Other people have tinnitus because of inner ear damage. Excessive exposure to loud noises as well as ageing can affect the inner ear. Head or neck trauma, as well as medications, can also contribute to tinnitus.

What tests help diagnose and treat tinnitus?

When you have a known hearing problem like tinnitus, the doctor may perform more extensive tests than a typical check-up. Below are some typical hearing tests for tinnitus.

Tone Test: This test is a traditional hearing test. It checks your range of hearing from low tones to high tones in each ear.

Speech Recognition Test: The doctor will ask you to repeat certain words to ensure you can recognise the correct speech sounds.

Tympanic Membrane Tests: These tests measure your middle ear function and check your eardrum and bone conduction.

Movement Tests: You may be asked to move your head and jaw around and report any unusual noises or feelings.

What happens after the hearing test?

If your doctor suspects you have tinnitus, they may do additional tests to help treat the condition. For example, your doctor may perform the tests listed below.

Matching Test: The doctor may play back different sounds to find the match for the sound you perceive. This test establishes a base for your therapy.

Masking Level: The doctor uses this test to determine the minimum level at which you can perceive the sound.

Loudness Level: The loudness level measures the maximum level of external sound that causes you discomfort or pain.

A proper diagnosis is the first step to alleviating your tinnitus symptoms. A hearing test is one of the tools that help the doctor narrow down the cause. Certain medical conditions can contribute to tinnitus, so see your general practitioner as well. An ear, nose and throat doctor is a specialist who can help and treat ear-related issues. Contact an ENT doctor if you have questions or concerns about tinnitus.