The proper assessment of your tinnitus by an experienced tinnitus expert is crucial to developing the proper treatment plan.  No two individuals suffering from tinnitus will require the same follow-up care, so extensive diagnostic testing, a complete health and hearing history and in depth discussions about how tinnitus is affecting your life are required for proper assessment. 

What to Expect

      Your initial evaluation will take approximately two hours.  Our tinnitus experts will perform a variety of tests, which will provide important information about your hearing and tinnitus.  The majority of the tests is unique to our clinic and is not available in other audiology or otolaryngology practices.   This extensive testing allows us to formulate a treatment plan specifically for you.  If you have had recent audiological testing, please bring these results with you.

      The evaluation will conclude with a counseling session. At that time we will provide you with more detailed information about your tinnitus, answer your concerns and questions, discuss the various treatment options, and propose a treatment plan. Your individualized treatment plan may include one or more of the following:  specialized hearing instruments, noise generating devices, and/or one-on-one counseling.  Your treatment plan will depend on the results of your evaluation, and will be fully explained to you.

Scheduling Your Assessment

      Please contact your nearest Hearing Health Center location to schedule your tinnitus assessment.  If time allows before your appointment, we will mail you an information packet.  It contains several forms that we like our patients to be able to fill out at home.  The first is called a “Tinnitus Letter.”  Here you will write about how tinnitus has affected your life.  The second form is called the “Tinnitus Handicap Inventory,” which is a brief survey.  The third form is called the “Initial Tinnitus Evaluation” and asks many detailed questions about your tinnitus.  There may be some questions that you aren’t sure how to fill out.  Don’t worry.  Complete what you can and you and your hearing health professional will review the forms together during your evaluation, filling in the blanks along the way.

Testing and Consultation Fees

      We do not bill insurance companies for fees associated with tinnitus and its assessment; most do not cover any fees associated with tinnitus.  The consultation fee is the responsibility of the patient, since it is not payable by insurance.  We will provide you with an invoice if you wish to file a claim on your own.  Please contact us for detailed testing fees prior to your appointment.