Understanding Tinnitus and Its Impact

Tinnitus can be frustrating and difficult to ignore once it begins. Over time, it may become increasingly hard to cope with, affecting your sleep, concentration, and overall well-being. You may find yourself longing for the silence you once had, or simply feeling like your quality of life is suffering due to the persistent noises in your ears. If your tinnitus is changing—getting louder, sounding different, or becoming more bothersome each day—it might be time to get it assessed.

While there is no definitive cure for tinnitus, professional help is available to help you manage and reduce its impact. Victorian Hearing’s university-qualified audiologists are dedicated to supporting you on your journey toward a life where tinnitus feels more manageable and easier to cope with.

What Happens at a Tinnitus Assessment?

At Victorian Hearing, our compassionate team of experienced audiologists conducts a thorough investigation into your tinnitus and its potential causes. The assessment lasts approximately 1.5 hours, giving you ample time to discuss your experiences and concerns. Our goal is to identify the most troubling aspects of your tinnitus, evaluate your overall ear health, and provide you with practical strategies to manage your condition effectively.

Step 1: Understanding Your Experience
The assessment begins with a detailed questionnaire designed to explore how tinnitus impacts various aspects of your life, including sleep, mood, and concentration. This information helps us gain a clearer picture of how your tinnitus affects your daily routine.

Step 2: Case History and Goal Setting
Next, we sit down with you to create a detailed case history, exploring possible triggers of your tinnitus, discussing your hearing health, and setting goals for improving your quality of life. Understanding your unique experience allows us to tailor our approach to best support your needs.

Step 3: Comprehensive Hearing Assessment
We then guide you through a thorough diagnostic hearing assessment to accurately determine the health of your ears. This evaluation helps identify any underlying conditions that may be contributing to your tinnitus. If necessary, we can also facilitate referrals to other healthcare professionals, such as a dentist, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, or mental health professional, to ensure you receive the appropriate care.

Step 4: Tinnitus Evaluation
As part of our in-depth hearing tests, we assess different aspects of your tinnitus, including estimating its pitch and volume as you perceive it. This information is crucial in understanding your specific experience and tailoring management strategies accordingly.

Step 5: Developing a Management Plan
Once all the information is gathered, our knowledgeable and understanding audiologists will summarise the findings and work with you to develop a personalised tinnitus management plan. This may include practical tips, coping strategies, counselling to help you understand what is happening in your body, and recommendations for specific therapies or treatments. In some cases, a follow-up appointment may be scheduled to explore treatments in greater detail or check in on your progress.

Take the First Step Toward Relief

Victorian Hearing is committed to providing professional, ethical, and comprehensive tinnitus assessments to help you regain control of your well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with tinnitus, don’t hesitate to book a comprehensive diagnostic tinnitus assessment with one of our specialists. We can help uncover the underlying causes of your tinnitus and create a plan to help you feel more like yourself again.

If you would like to learn more, reach out to the team at Victorian Hearing, your local, independent, and Australian owned and operated audiology practice. With ten clinics across Melbourne, you are sure to find a friendly smile and support from the Victorian Hearing team. Call  (03) 9558 8842 or book online.