{"id":185,"date":"2022-01-06T21:45:10","date_gmt":"2022-01-06T21:45:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aud2.fuel.team\/audiologist\/tinnitus-management\/"},"modified":"2025-06-17T11:38:28","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T18:38:28","slug":"tinnitus-symptoms-management","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/hearing-loss\/tinnitus-symptoms-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Specialized Tinnitus Care Starts Here"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 39%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tinnitus Symptoms Are Manageable &#8211; We Can Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re experiencing tinnitus, you might feel like it&#8217;s all in your head.&nbsp;While that&#8217;s technically correct\u2014in most forms of tinnitus, the sound is only audible to you, but that doesn&#8217;t mean you have to deal with it on your own. Our team at Hearing Services of Santa Barbara can help you manage your tinnitus to reduce its impact on your daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is Tinnitus?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tinnitus is a ringing noise in one or both ears that might be constant or come and go. It can last anywhere from a few days to years. Ringing is one of the most common sounds, but tinnitus can also manifest as buzzing, roaring, clicking, hissing or humming. In extreme cases, it might interfere with your ability to concentrate or lead to anxiety.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Causes Tinnitus?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The following can potentially lead to tinnitus:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Consistent exposure to loud noise&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Issues in the middle ear, like infections or vascular tumors&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ear infection or ear canal blockage&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medication that damages the middle ear\u2019s nerves, such as ototoxic drugs&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Head or neck injuries&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of Tinnitus&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The most common form of tinnitus is subjective tinnitus or tinnitus that only you can hear. This type of tinnitus often sounds like ringing, buzzing or clicking.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Less frequently diagnosed is pulsatile or objective tinnitus, which sounds like a whooshing or pulsing sound. A practitioner may be able to hear pulsatile tinnitus during an examination.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/care.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5991 size-full\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:39% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/eval.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5993 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Happens During a Tinnitus Evaluation?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tinnitus is typically diagnosed based on a patient\u2019s symptoms. Our office will provide a referral to connect you with these services. To determine an underlying cause,&nbsp;our provider will ask what noises are present. Does it sound like clicking, pulsing, low-pitched ringing or high-pitched ringing?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other common tests include:&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/hearing-loss\/testing\/\">Hearing exam<\/a>: In a sound-proof room, you will wear headphones connected to a device that sends sounds to one ear at a time. You\u2019ll be asked to press a button or raise your hand whenever you hear a sound.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Movement: If the tinnitus changes due to certain movements, it might identify another disorder in need of treatment.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Imaging tests: These might include CT or MRI scans.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lab tests: These might include drawing blood.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The provider may also have you take questionnaires to determine the impact of tinnitus on your daily life. These include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tinnitus functional index&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tinnitus handicap inventory&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tinnitus and hearing survey&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 39%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ways of Managing Tinnitus&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If testing suggests the need for medical intervention to manage an underlying disorder, our team will connect you with the provider that can help. Options for management might include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hearing aids: A majority of tinnitus patients also experience hearing loss. <a href=\"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/hearing-aids\/\">Hearing aids<\/a> are used to amplify background sounds, which can mask tinnitus.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Acoustic therapy: This involves using sound to cover up or mask the perception of tinnitus.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Counseling: Techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, can help reduce the stress, anxiety and sleeplessness that often arise as a side effect of tinnitus.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tinnitus retraining therapy: This option includes both counseling and acoustic therapy.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Acoustic Therapy Can Sound However You\u2019d Like It To&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A significant element of tinnitus treatment is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ata.org\/about-tinnitus\/sound-therapy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">acoustic therapy<\/a>. The goal is to choose sounds that mask the tinnitus but aren\u2019t intrusive or annoying. Though behind-the-ear wearable devices are one option, you might also consider mp3 files, smartphone apps or sound generators to help avoid silence.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Potential options include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>White noise&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gentle music&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nature sounds&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Counseling Can Provide Additional Support&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Counseling can connect you with emotional coping techniques and strategies that will, in turn, help reduce potential side effects of tinnitus, including depression, fatigue and insomnia. By eliminating your anxiety around tinnitus, the noises no longer seem like a danger, and you&#8217;ll be able to focus on other things.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Does Tinnitus Retraining Therapy Work?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Three big elements of tinnitus retraining therapy are:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An evaluation of your daily habits and history&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fitting of a noise-generating device that helps cancel or muffle tinnitus auditory frequencies&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Counseling to help you learn to manage and ignore tinnitus symptoms&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The goal of tinnitus retraining therapy is to teach patients about their condition and ways to change how they react to and perceive the sound of tinnitus, ultimately removing the emotional reaction to it. Acoustic therapy will help mask the sound, and counseling will reduce the bothersome elements of the noise.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You Aren\u2019t In this Alone&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tinnitus might seem daunting, but you don&#8217;t have to face it yourself. At Hearing Services of Santa Barbara, we can help you manage your symptoms. Whether it\u2019s providing you with more information about tinnitus or helping you find acoustic therapy, we\u2019re here to help.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group content-cta has-border-color has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-f5583e5e wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-color:#0074b9;border-width:1px;border-radius:8px;margin-top:1.5rem;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:1.6rem;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:1.6rem;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-fd354f1cb197e8c069a57c7e9ef90b30\">Call Hearing Services of Santa Barbara for more information or to schedule an appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-23441af8 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"font-size:clamp(1.25rem, 1.25rem + ((1vw - 0.225rem) * 1.154), 2rem);\"><a href=\"tel:+18059674200\" class=\"phone \"><svg width=\"48\" height=\"48\" viewBox=\"0 0 48 48\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<circle cx=\"24\" cy=\"24\" r=\"23.5\" stroke=\"#AD08DB\"\/>\n<path d=\"M18.4478 11H29.8674C31.2184 11 32.3145 12.0918 32.3145 13.4375V34.5625C32.3145 35.9082 31.2184 37 29.8674 37H18.4478C17.0968 37 16.0007 35.9082 16.0007 34.5625V13.4375C16.0007 12.0918 17.0968 11 18.4478 11ZM24.1576 35.375C25.0599 35.375 25.789 34.6488 25.789 33.75C25.789 32.8512 25.0599 32.125 24.1576 32.125C23.2552 32.125 22.5262 32.8512 22.5262 33.75C22.5262 34.6488 23.2552 35.375 24.1576 35.375ZM18.4478 29.8906C18.4478 30.2258 18.7231 30.5 19.0596 30.5H29.2556C29.5921 30.5 29.8674 30.2258 29.8674 29.8906V14.0469C29.8674 13.7117 29.5921 13.4375 29.2556 13.4375H19.0596C18.7231 13.4375 18.4478 13.7117 18.4478 14.0469V29.8906Z\" fill=\"#0074B9\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n <span class=\"phone-number\">(805) 967-4200<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"wp-block-fuel-svg cta-shape desktop-only\" width=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 720 124\" fill=\"none\" data-svg-colors=\"[&quot;#0074B9&quot;]\" style=\"opacity:1;\">\n<path opacity=\"0.15\" d=\"M720 35.4816C720 35.4816 588 7.25662 360 1.06383C132 -5.12895 0 17.7368 0 17.7368V125.405H720L720 35.4816Z\" fill=\"#0074B9\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\n<svg class=\"mobile-only cta-shape\"width=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 328 80\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path opacity=\"0.15\" d=\"M328 16.0297C328 16.0297 267.867 3.27835 164 0.480613C60.1333 -2.31713 0 8.01303 0 8.01303V80.6545H328L328 16.0297Z\" fill=\"#0074B9\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"472\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/retraining.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5995 size-full\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":1193,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page_fullwidth","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"[phone format=\"{phone}\"] | There is no universal cure for tinnitus, but there are treatments that make it less of a distraction. Call us to learn more.","_seopress_robots_index":"","event_date":"","formatted_date":"","formatted_time":"","location":"","footnotes":""},"service_tags":[],"class_list":["post-185","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/185","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=185"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/185\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5996,"href":"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/185\/revisions\/5996"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1193"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=185"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"service_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/service_tags?post=185"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}