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Tinnitus: when to see a doctor
Guide · 4 min read · Updated
Short answer: Most tinnitus is not a sign of anything dangerous. See a doctor the same day if you suddenly lose hearing, or have tinnitus with facial weakness, severe dizziness or a severe headache. Book an appointment soon if it pulses with your heartbeat, is only in one ear, or is affecting your sleep or mood.
When is tinnitus urgent?
- You suddenly lose hearing in one or both ears, with or without tinnitus. Sudden hearing loss is treated most effectively when it's assessed within days.
- Tinnitus comes with weakness of the face, severe dizziness or a severe headache.
- Tinnitus started after a head injury.
When should I book an appointment soon?
- Your tinnitus pulses in time with your heartbeat (pulsatile tinnitus).
- It is only in one ear and doesn't go away.
- It comes with ongoing dizziness, ear pain or discharge.
- It is causing anxiety, low mood or poor sleep that affects your life.
What happens at the appointment?
A GP or primary care doctor will look in your ears and ask about your symptoms, and may refer you to an audiologist for a hearing test or to an ENT specialist. Bring a note of when the tinnitus started, what it sounds like, which ear, and your matched frequency if you have one from the frequency test.
Is tinnitus a sign of something serious?
Usually not. NIDCD notes that tinnitus is common and often linked to hearing loss, loud noise or ear problems such as earwax. The signs above are the exceptions worth checking.
Common questions
Who should I see about tinnitus?
Start with your GP or primary care doctor. They can refer you to an audiologist for a hearing test or to an ENT doctor if needed.
Is pulsatile tinnitus dangerous?
It often has a harmless cause, but it should always be checked by a doctor because it can be linked to changes in blood flow that need assessment.
Can an app tell me if my tinnitus is serious?
No. An app can remind you of warning signs, but only a clinician can assess your ears and hearing.
Sources
- NIDCD (US National Institutes of Health). Tinnitus. www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/tinnitus
- NIDCD. Sudden deafness (sudden sensorineural hearing loss). www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/sudden-deafness
- NICE guideline NG155. Tinnitus: assessment and management. 2020. www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng155
- Tunkel DE et al. Clinical practice guideline: tinnitus. American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNS), 2014. doi.org/10.1177/0194599814545325
- Chandrasekhar SS et al. Clinical practice guideline: sudden hearing loss (update). AAO-HNS, 2019. doi.org/10.1177/0194599819859885
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Lullwell is not a medical device. Talk to an audiologist or doctor about your tinnitus.