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Audiology Services

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If you, or someone you know has tinnitus, or “ringing” in the ears — you are not alone! According to the American Tinnitus Association, 50 million Americans experience this condition, and the severity of tinnitus ranges from person to person. Unfortunately, there is no current medical cure for most types of tinnitus. However there are ways to manage this condition and lessen its impact on us. The first step is to recognize that tinnitus is a symptom and then identify the linked conditions to help our patients increase the quality of their lives. 

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If your tinnitus is bothersome and disrupts your daily activities, please schedule an appointment at any one of our three locations: Rochester/Brighton, Greece and Webster. 

 

An immediate appointment may be needed if you are experiencing sudden hearing loss or dizziness (vertigo) with the tinnitus symptoms.

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Have questions about Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids?

Contact RHSC to ask questions and schedule a hearing health evaluation. 

 

To contact RHSC: Call (585) 271-0680, email info@rhsc.org​, or fill our our Contact Us Form​​.

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To learn more about Tinnitus, refer to the information outlined below. We will be happy to discuss any questions at your appointment.

Tinnitus or "Ringing in The Ears"

Symptoms

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in our ears or head in the absence of any real sound. Tinnitus may seem louder in certain environments, such as a quiet room when we are reading or sleeping. For some patients, the sound will come and go, and for others it may be a constant sensation. Tinnitus is most commonly described as a high-pitched ringing sensation, but our patients have also reported hearing:

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  • Buzzing 

  • Cicadas 

  • Clicking 

  • Crickets

  • Hissing 

  • Humming 

  • Ocean waves 

  • Pounding

  • Pulsing 

  • Roaring 

  • Static

Symptoms
See An Audiologist

When to See An 
Audiologist

When is it time to see an audiologist?

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Since tinnitus is most commonly associated with hearing loss, the first step is to schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation to determine the health of your auditory system.

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An immediate appointment may be needed if you are experiencing sudden hearing loss or dizziness (vertigo) with the tinnitus. It is also a concern is if you are having feelings of anxiety and/or depression related to your tinnitus. 

 

If the tinnitus appears to be a symptom of a medical condition, the patient may be advised to see their own physician or an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) to determine if medial or surgical treatment is required. 

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Our goal of the audiology appointment...

 

During your appointment we will gather a case history and complete a comprehensive audiological evaluation. We will discuss the most appropriate treatment options based on your history and the results of the hearing test. Treatment options may include a recommendation for hearing aids, sound therapy, stress relief and overall wellness.  

Common Causes

Common Causes

  • Allergies 

  • Ear infections or ear canal blockage 

  • Head and neck injuries 

  • Hearing Loss 

  • Medications

  • Meniere’s disease 

  • Noise exposure  

  • Sinus infections 

  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders 

  • Wax in the ears 

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In rare cases, tinnitus is caused by a benign, slow-growing tumor on the auditory nerve. This tumor may cause hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, and/or facial paralysis. Additionally, pulsing tinnitus may be associated with an abnormality in a blood vessel if the sound is in sync with a person's heartbeat. This condition should be addressed immediately.

Risk Factors

Risk Factors

  • Age  

  • Cardiovascular Issues

  • Certain medications* 

  • Diet

  • Loud noise exposure** 

  • Tobacco and alcohol use 

  • Stress 

  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure 

 

*Over 200 medications are known to cause tinnitus, especially when starting or stopping the medication. If you believe your medication is causing or worsening your tinnitus, please speak with your prescribing physician and/or pharmacist to determine if the medication or dosage can or should be changed.  

 

**Loud noise exposure may include recreational noise such as excessive earbud use, firearms, live music or power tools as well as occupational noise as listed below. 

Complications

Complications of tinnitus that may affect quality of life.

 

  • Anxiety and irritability 

  • Depression  

  • Fatigue 

  • Headaches 

  • Memory loss 

  • Sleep deprivation 

  • Stress 

  • Trouble concentrating 

Complications

Environmental &
Occupational
Factors

There are many occupations and work environments in which tinnitus is common, including: 

 

  • Airports 

  • Construction 

  • Dentistry 

  • Entertainment

  • Firefighting 

  • Foundries (factories)

  • Law enforcement 

  • Manufacturing 

  • Military service

  • Music venues 

  • Sawmills

Environmental Factors

Resources

  • American Academy of Audiology: Click Here 

  • American Tinnitus Association: Click Here 

  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Click Here 

Resources
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