Tinnitus Self-Check
Ringing, buzzing, hissing, whooshing. Nobody else can hear it, which is part of what makes it hard to judge whether it is worth doing anything about.
These questions are just a way to think it through. Nothing is scored or saved, and your answers never leave this page. Answer honestly, for the past week or so, and the last screen will tell you what we would suggest doing next.
Common questions
Is this a tinnitus test?
No. There is no test that measures someone else's tinnitus, because tinnitus is a sound only you can hear. This is a set of questions to help you think it through for yourself. Nothing is scored, graded or recorded, and the answers never leave your browser.
Why does it ask about sleep and concentration rather than how loud it is?
Because loudness turns out to be a poor guide to whether tinnitus is worth treating. Two people can describe an identical sound and one barely notices while the other cannot sleep. What matters is how much of your life it is taking up, which is why the questions ask about sleep, focus, conversation, relaxing and the things you have stopped doing.
When should I see a doctor instead of calling you?
If your tinnitus started suddenly, is in one ear only, pulses in time with your heartbeat, or comes with dizziness, ear pain or drainage, see a physician promptly. Those patterns need a medical assessment, and some of them are time-sensitive. The self-check asks about all four before anything else and will tell you if that is where you should start.
Will hearing aids help my tinnitus?
Often, when hearing loss is present alongside it, which it very frequently is. Restoring the sounds you have been missing tends to push the ringing into the background, and many current hearing aids include dedicated tinnitus programs. Whether it will help in your case is something an evaluation can indicate rather than guarantee, which is why every new fitting includes a 30-day trial.
Is there a cure for tinnitus?
There is no established cure for most tinnitus, and be cautious of anyone who says otherwise. What can change substantially is how much of your attention it takes and how much it interferes with sleep and conversation.