It depends on the individual’s circumstances. Generally, if you experience any physical issues with your ears such as pain, wax build-up, or a feeling that something is stuck in your ear, it is best to see an ENT (Ears, Nose, & Throat specialist).
They can assess and treat any physical conditions that may be causing or contributing to your tinnitus. An audiologist can assess hearing loss as well as possible damage to the inner ear, which also can be a factor in tinnitus.
Audiologists typically offer sound therapy, which can be an effective treatment for some types of tinnitus. Ultimately, since tinnitus can have many potential causes, a discussion with your doctor is the best way to determine which specialist(s) can best help you manage your tinnitus.
Should I see an audiologist or ENT first?
Whether you should see an audiologist or an ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor) first depends on what symptoms you are experiencing. Audiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating hearing and balance-related disorders, whereas ENTs specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, and throat.
If you are experiencing hearing loss, ringing in the ears, or decreased balance, then an audiologist may be the best place to start. An audiologist will be able to perform a variety of tests to diagnosis the cause of any hearing problems and provide treatment options.
If you are experiencing pain, pressure, swelling, or abnormal sounds in your ears, then an ENT might be the best place to start. An ENT specializes in diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, and throat, and can provide diagnosis and treatment options.
If you are not sure which specialist to see, it is always advisable to check with your primary care provider to determine which type of specialist is more appropriate to diagnose and treat your symptoms.
Can an audiologist help with tinnitus?
Yes, an audiologist can help with tinnitus. Tinnitus is the perception of sound when there is no external source of sound present. It is a common condition that affects about 20 percent of the population.
An audiologist can help people suffering from tinnitus by providing an audiological assessment to evaluate the type, severity, and characteristics of the tinnitus. This helps to assess potential causes and make an appropriate treatment plan.
Treatments may include sound therapy, counselling, relaxation techniques, and masking devices (hearing aids with specific settings) to reduce the intrusive sounds. An audiologist may also refer to other medical specialties to evaluate and treat any concurrent medical disorder that could be causing the tinnitus.
In any case, an audiologist can be a valuable partner in helping manage symptoms and preventing the condition from becoming more severe.
What type of doctor should you see for tinnitus?
When trying to decide which type of doctor to see for tinnitus, the first step is to determine if it is a medical issue or a psychological issue. If you are experiencing physical symptoms such as ear pain, hearing loss, a feeling of clogged ears, or having symptoms only in one ear, this could suggest a medical cause, and you should see an otolaryngologist (ENT doctor).
However, if the symptoms occur in both ears and it does not seem to be caused by a physical problem, then it may be related to stress or anxiety, in which case you should likely see a psychologist or another mental health professional.
In some cases, tinnitus can be caused by a combination of medical and psychological problems. If this is the case, then you and your doctor should work together to create a treatment plan that helps to address both the physical and psychological components of the problem.
Depending on your individual needs, this could include different medications, psychological therapy, or lifestyle changes.
It is also important to note that there are treatments, such as sound therapy and TRT (Tinnitus Retraining Therapy) that have been proven to be effective in managing tinnitus symptoms. If you are interested in these types of treatments, you may want to consider seeing an audiologist or otolaryngologist who specializes in tinnitus treatment.
No matter which type of doctor you decide to visit, it is important to be honest and open about your symptoms, any triggers, and your overall lifestyle. This will help you and your doctor to create an individualized treatment plan that is tailored to your needs and helps you to reduce or manage your tinnitus symptoms.
Is tinnitus a brain or ear disorder?
Tinnitus is a neurophysiological disorder that affects the auditory system, and is linked to the brain. More specifically, it is a condition in which one has the perception of sound, even when there is no external sound present.
It can be experienced as ringing, buzzing, humming, whistling, or other sounds. Although tinnitus originates in the ear, it is ultimately caused and processed by the brain. For this reason, it is considered to be a disorder of the brain.
Tinnitus is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of some other underlying health condition, such as hearing loss, head trauma, or anxiety. Many different treatments are available to help lessen the symptoms of tinnitus, and while the cause of tinnitus is not fully understood, we know that it is connected to the brain.