Resources
Questions for health care professionals
Finding a health care professional
Handy tips for your visit
What tinnitus treatments do you use in your practice?
What tests do you require or suggest?
What are the risks or side effects of this treatment or medication?
What is the success rate of the proposed treatment?
Can we rule out a tumor so I can stop worrying?
What can I do on my own to help or improve my tinnitus?
Will my insurance plan cover this treatment?
Finding a health care professional
The American Tinnitus Association maintains a list of professionals who self-report their interest in treating tinnitus. This involves submitting a form that details the kinds of clinical services they offer. ATA does not endorse or recommend any tinnitus treatment.
ATA:
- Has a good-faith policy that takes professionals at their word; we don't attempt to verify what they report to us.
- Does not bestow professional credentials and is not a true referral service.
- Asks professionals to update their contact and service information once a year.
- Provides a listing with contact information so that you can contact individuals on the list and interview them as potential caregivers.
Handy tips for your visit
- Make sure you take a complete written list of your symptoms, including descriptions of when your tinnitus started, if and how it changes over time and what seems to make it worse or improve.
- Take a list of any previous hearing tests and the results.
- Also have the names and contact information of other facilities where you may have had tests performed.
- Take a list of ALL medications you are currently taking or have just recently taken, including vitamins and over-the-counter medications and supplements.
- Prepare in advance and take with you a list of your questions.
- Take notes during the visit to review at home, or consider bringing a friend or loved one with you to take notes for you.
Helpful questions to ask when talking with your health professional
What tinnitus treatments do you use in your practice?
Look for a healthcare professional who is aware of the latest treatment options, like masking or specific sound therapy programs such as Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) and Neuromonics.. Be sure they are certified in the treatments they offer. Also, look for someone who wants to find the right treatment for you – your tinnitus is individual and so must your treatment be. What works for one person may not work for you.
What tests do you require or suggest?
You want to know why your ears are ringing and how to alleviate the noise. Your healthcare provider should have different ways to evaluate you, your hearing and your tinnitus. Find out what they suggest and the goals of each test or evaluation.
What are the risks or side effects of this treatment or medication?
Different treatments and medications affect people in different ways. However, some have specific, potential side effects and risks. Just knowing in advance what you can expect from your treatment can take some of the mystery and worry out of it. Be sure you know WHY you are using the treatment, HOW to use it and WHAT to expect.
What is the success rate of the proposed treatment?
A high success rate in general, or success for a friend or relative, does not necessarily mean that the treatment is best for you. However, knowing its generally success could help you select appropriate care. Discuss how different treatments might work in combination with each other. Does the health care professional have ideas about WHY a specific treatment might work well for you? A red flag is someone who offers you a complete cure of your tinnitus. Instead, ask about the potential benefits of different treatments: relief, lessening of tinnitus, habituation of tinnitus, etc. If in doubt, consider getting a second opinion.
Can we rule out a tumor so I can stop worrying?
A very small percentage of tinnitus patients have an acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor on the acoustic and vestibular nerves in the inner ear. Usually, this accompanies unilateral tinnitus (in just one ear). Hearing loss in the same ear also often occurs. Your doctor should be able to help you rule out an acoustic neuroma with questions and tests, Then, you can explore other causes and treatments.
What can I do on my own to help or improve my tinnitus?
There are numerous things you can try on your own. For instance, change your diet, exercise, reduce the noise around you, learn some good stress control methods and counseling. Masking tinnitus with music or other sounds – especially at night and in quiet environments helps many sufferers. Ask your health care provider for easy changes you can make in your everyday life to help you cope and manage your tinnitus.
Will my insurance plan cover this treatment?
Most insurance companies differ in how they cover tinnitus treatment. Better to research your coverage first so there are no surprises later. If you are uninsured, research options to help you pay for treatments. Some providers offer services on a sliding scale or payment plans.
