San Francisco Tinnitus Treatment
San Francisco Tinnitus Treatment
Hearing ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in your ears in San Francisco? Our Bay Area audiologists help patients from
the city every week at our nearby San Mateo and San Carlos clinics with comprehensive tinnitus testing, education,
and personalized treatment plans.
Why San Francisco Residents Choose California Hearing Center
Although our physical offices are in San Mateo and San Carlos, a large portion of our tinnitus patients live in
San Francisco and commute down for care. Here’s why they’re willing to make the short drive:
Doctor-Level Audiology, Not Just Hearing Aid Sales
Your visit is led by audiologists with extensive tinnitus training—not a quick screening in a retail setting.
We take time to understand your history, hearing, and goals. Learn more about the condition in
What Is Tinnitus?.
Medical-grade testing
Full Tinnitus Toolbox
We offer hearing aids with tinnitus features, sound therapy, counseling-based approaches like CBT and TRT,
and referrals for advanced options such as
Lenire tinnitus therapy when appropriate.
See the overview at Tinnitus Treatment Options.
Sound therapy
TRT & CBT support
Bay Area-Focused Care
From tech workers on headphones all day to musicians, bartenders, and construction crews, we understand the
sound environments that come with living and working in San Francisco. Treatment plans account for your real
life—not an imaginary quiet town.
Music & nightlife
Construction & transit
If you live in San Francisco and are unsure whether you need an appointment, start with:
Tinnitus Severity Assessment,
When to See a Doctor About Tinnitus, and
What to Expect at Your Tinnitus Appointment.
Signs You Should Get Your Tinnitus Checked
Tinnitus in a busy city like San Francisco is common—but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored. You should
schedule a tinnitus evaluation if:
- The ringing, buzzing, or whooshing has lasted more than a week
- You notice it more in quiet settings (like at night) and it’s affecting sleep
- You turn up the TV or ask people to repeat themselves more often
- The sound is only in one ear or feels much louder on one side
- You feel stressed, anxious, or depressed because of the noise
For more detail, visit Can Tinnitus Go Away on Its Own? and
Is My Tinnitus Permanent?.
Common Tinnitus Causes for San Francisco Lifestyles
Many San Francisco tinnitus cases we see are linked to:
Headphones, Earbuds & Remote Work
Long hours on calls, music, or podcasts at higher volumes can stress the delicate structures in your inner
ear. Over time, this can contribute to both tinnitus and hearing changes.
Concerts, Clubs & Venues
Shows at venues around the city—Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, The Independent, Chase Center, and smaller
clubs—can reach sound levels high enough to trigger ringing after events, especially without ear protection.
City & Transit Noise
Construction, traffic, emergency sirens, and BART or Muni noise all add up over time. Even if each exposure is
brief, cumulative effects can impact hearing.
Stress, Caffeine & Lifestyle Factors
High stress, poor sleep, caffeine, and alcohol can all influence how loud or intrusive tinnitus feels. Learn
more in Lifestyle & Diet Tips for Tinnitus,
Does Caffeine Affect Tinnitus?,
and Could Drinking Alcohol Affect Your Hearing?.
For a full overview of possible triggers, see
Tinnitus Causes & Triggers and
Tinnitus and Hearing Loss.
How We Approach Tinnitus Care for SF Patients
Our tinnitus care for San Francisco residents combines medical evaluation with practical, day-to-day strategies.
A typical plan might include:
-
Comprehensive hearing testing to check for hearing loss, asymmetry, or middle ear issues
(What Is Tinnitus? explains why hearing tests are so important) - Discussing your lifestyle—work environment, commute, nightlife, exercise, and stress levels
- Education and reassurance about what your tinnitus likely means (and doesn’t mean)
-
Technology options, such as
hearing aids for tinnitus or
sound therapy -
Sleep and anxiety strategies from
Managing Tinnitus at Night and
Coping with Tinnitus Anxiety - Referrals for advanced care (ENT, TMJ specialist, Lenire, CBT) when appropriate
If you want to see how others have done with similar plans, visit
Tinnitus Patient Success Stories.
What to Expect at Your Visit
1. Detailed Conversation About Your Tinnitus
We start by listening to your story: when the sound began, how it behaves, what seems to make it better or
worse, and how it affects your life in San Francisco—work, family, commuting, social events, and sleep.
2. Ear Exam & Hearing Tests
We examine your ears, look for issues like earwax or infection, and perform a full hearing evaluation. This
tells us if hearing loss is present and whether both ears are affected. Learn more in
What to Expect at Your Tinnitus Appointment.
3. Tinnitus Discussion & Plan
After testing, we review your results together and outline a plan tailored to your needs. That might include
hearing technology, sound therapy, counseling strategies, or home exercises—see
Tinnitus Relief Exercises.
You can get a head start by reviewing
Tinnitus Severity Assessment and
Comprehensive Tinnitus Treatment Options before you come in.
Getting Here from San Francisco
Our tinnitus patients from San Francisco typically visit our:
- San Mateo office (a short drive down Highway 101)
- San Carlos office (easy access via 101 or Caltrain)
For directions and parking details, see
San Francisco Area Patients and
Bay Area Communities We Serve.
Many patients schedule appointments before or after work, or on days when they’re already heading down the
Peninsula. If you live closer to the South Bay or East Bay, you may also want to explore:
San Francisco Tinnitus FAQs
Our clinics are in San Mateo and San Carlos. However, we regularly see patients from San Francisco and design
appointment times with commuters in mind. The short drive often feels worth it to work with a tinnitus-focused
audiology team.
City noise can be one factor, but tinnitus usually has more than one contributor—such as hearing loss,
medications, health conditions, or stress. We’ll help you sort through all of these. For a deeper dive, see
Tinnitus Causes & Triggers and
Can Stress Make Tinnitus Worse?
.
Sudden tinnitus—especially with sudden hearing loss, dizziness, or tinnitus in one ear—should be evaluated
promptly. Start by reviewing
When to See a Doctor About Tinnitus and, if needed, contacting
your primary care doctor or an ENT urgently. We can often help with the hearing and long-term management
side of the plan.
Coverage varies by plan. Diagnostic testing is often covered; some treatment tools and hearing aids may be
partially covered or out of pocket. Our team can help you understand your benefits and options.
Next Steps for San Francisco Residents
If you live in San Francisco and are looking for a tinnitus specialist “near me,” you don’t have to figure this
out alone. Our Bay Area audiologists can help you understand what’s causing your tinnitus, how severe it is, and
which tools are most likely to help.
Helpful pages to review next:
Set Up Your FREE Hearing Consultation with an Expert Today
SEE A HEARING DOCTOR IN SAN MATEO
San Mateo – Main Office
88 N. San Mateo Drive
San Mateo, CA 94401
Phone: (650) 342-9449
Fax: (650) 342-4435