How to test for tinnitus

More than 12 million Americans have tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, serious enough to warrant treatment, according to the American Tinnitus Association. Most of the time, the sounds heard in the ear are heard only by the patient, making tinnitus difficult to diagnose at times. A series of tests performed by your doctor can help determine what type of tinnitus you have.

Things You'll Need

• Notebook

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Instructions

• 1

  Write down the type of noise you hear and when the sounds worsen. Though "ringing" is the term used to describe tinnitus most often, the American Tinnitus Association states that whistling, roaring, buzzing and clicking can be other types of constant noise in the ears that define tinnitus. Jot down medications you take and give the list to your doctor, as some drugs may cause tinnitus.

• 2

  Allow your doctor to listen to your ears with a stethoscope to check if he hears the same sounds you do. The Mayo Clinic explains that objective tinnitus, a form of the condition in which sounds may be heard by other people, can indicate a blood vessel disorder.

• 3

  Undergo a complete physical exam, in which you may be asked to move around. Your tinnitus may become more bothersome when you move your head or eyes in a certain way; your doctor may be able to determine the cause of your problem from this type of exam.

• 4

  Ask your doctor to remove impacted ear wax that may be the cause of your tinnitus. Removal by a medical professional may relieve your tinnitus permanently if this is the case.