Who Should Schedule a Tinnitus Appointment?

If you hear ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other sounds that others can’t hear—and it’s been happening for more
than a few days—it’s a good idea to get evaluated. This is especially important if:

• The sound is bothering your sleep, focus, or mood
• The tinnitus is in one ear only
• You’ve noticed changes in your hearing
• You’ve had significant noise exposure (concerts, loud work environments, firearms, etc.)
• You’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed by the sound

To learn more about when tinnitus needs urgent versus routine care, read
When to See a Doctor About Tinnitus and
Do I Have Tinnitus?.

Before Your Visit: How to Prepare

You don’t need to do anything complicated to get ready, but a little preparation can make your appointment smoother
and more productive.

If you’re feeling nervous about the appointment itself, you might find it helpful to read
Coping with Tinnitus Anxiety or

Can Stress Make Tinnitus Worse?
.

Check-In & First Conversation

When you arrive at our San Mateo or San Carlos office, you’ll check in with our front desk team, complete any
remaining forms, and then meet with your audiologist.

Step 1: Detailed Tinnitus History

We’ll start by talking—no tests yet. Your audiologist will ask about:

• When and how your tinnitus started (suddenly, gradually, after a specific event)
• What the sound(s) are like—pitch, loudness, pattern, which ear(s)
• How tinnitus affects your sleep, concentration, mood, and daily activities
• Any noise exposure history (concerts, music, construction, military service, etc.)
• Medical history, medications, jaw/neck problems, dizziness, or balance issues

This conversation helps us determine whether your tinnitus is more likely related to
hearing loss, TMJ, circulation, stress, or other factors.

Step 2: Ear & Physical Check

We’ll gently examine your ears for:

• Earwax buildup or blockages
• Signs of infection or fluid
• Eardrum health
• Any clues that point toward conditions like Meniere’s or middle ear problems

In some cases, something as simple as professional earwax removal may help
reduce tinnitus symptoms.

Hearing & Tinnitus Testing

Next, we’ll perform a set of hearing and tinnitus tests in a sound-treated room. These tests are painless and
non-invasive.

For some patients, we also consider advanced options like
Lenire Tinnitus Therapy in San Mateo, which
may require additional assessment.

Reviewing Results & Tinnitus Type

After testing, your audiologist will sit down with you to explain:

• Whether you have hearing loss and how it relates to your tinnitus
• Which type of tinnitus you likely have (e.g., noise-induced, age-related, somatic/TMJ-related)
• Whether other medical evaluations (ENT, primary care, dentist/TMJ specialist, neurologist) are recommended
• How severe your tinnitus appears based on your history, tests, and
  Tinnitus Severity Assessment

To learn more about how hearing loss and tinnitus interact, see
Tinnitus and Hearing Loss.

Building Your Treatment Plan

Once we’ve reviewed your results, we’ll talk through treatment options that match your goals, lifestyle, and
budget. These may include:

• Hearing Aids for Tinnitus – Many people with hearing loss and tinnitus get significant relief
  from hearing aids with tinnitus features. Our team works with leading
  brands (see Hearing Aids by Brand) and can suggest specific
  models that support tinnitus, such as
  Widex Allure or
  Oticon Intent.
• Sound Therapy – Customized sound generators, apps, or sound machines can help reduce the
  contrast between tinnitus and silence. Learn more at
  Sound Therapy for Tinnitus.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Counseling – To address anxiety, fear, and negative
  thought patterns around tinnitus, we may recommend
  CBT for Tinnitus and
  Coping with Tinnitus Anxiety.
• Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) – A structured program that combines sound therapy and
  counseling to support habituation. See
  Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT).
• Advanced Options – In select cases, patients may be candidates for treatments like
  Lenire.
• Lifestyle & Home Strategies – We’ll also discuss
  Lifestyle & Diet Tips,
  Tinnitus Relief Exercises, and
  Managing Tinnitus at Night.

For a high-level view of your options, visit
Comprehensive Tinnitus Treatment Options and our article

Tinnitus Treatment Options in Palo Alto: What Actually Works?
.

After the Appointment: Follow-Up & Next Steps

Tinnitus care is a process, not a one-time event. After your initial visit, your plan may include:

• Follow-up visits to fine-tune hearing aid or sound therapy settings
• Check-ins to track progress with CBT, TRT, or anxiety management
• Adjustments to lifestyle and sleep strategies based on what you notice
• Referrals to other providers (ENT, TMJ specialist, mental health professional) when appropriate

Many patients also find support in community resources—see
Bay Area Tinnitus Support Groups and
Patient Success Stories for encouragement and real-world examples.

Bay Area Tinnitus Care at California Hearing Center

Whether you live in San Mateo, San Carlos, San Francisco, Palo Alto, or elsewhere in the Bay Area, you don’t have
to navigate tinnitus alone. Our audiologists combine advanced diagnostics, personalized counseling, and a full
toolbox of treatment options to help you move from fear and frustration toward understanding and control.

Helpful next pages to review:

• Tinnitus Severity Assessment
• Comprehensive Tinnitus Treatment Options
• Coping with Tinnitus Anxiety
• Managing Tinnitus at Night
• Tinnitus Patient Success Stories