Understanding Tinnitus & How Audiology Associates Hawaii Can Help Lessen Its Impacts
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external noise is present. Many people describe it as ringing in the ears, but it can also take the form of buzzing, humming, hissing, or even a whooshing sound. Tinnitus is not a condition itself, but rather a symptom—often linked to age-related hearing loss, prolonged noise exposure, ear injury, or underlying health conditions.
For some, tinnitus is a mild annoyance that comes and goes. For others, it can interfere with concentration, sleep, and overall quality of life.
How an Audiologist Evaluates Tinnitus
At Audiology Associates Hawaii, our doctoral-level audiologists take the time to understand each patient’s unique experience with tinnitus. The evaluation process may include:
Comprehensive Hearing Test – Since tinnitus is often linked to hearing loss, a full hearing evaluation helps determine if reduced hearing sensitivity is contributing to the problem.
Tinnitus Questionnaires & Interviews – To assess the impact of tinnitus on daily life—sleep, stress, focus, and mood.
Sound Matching Tests – Identifying the pitch and volume of the tinnitus sound to better understand its characteristics.
Balance & Ear Health Assessments – Sometimes dizziness, vertigo, or ear conditions play a role and need to be addressed.
This thorough evaluation allows our audiologists to create a personalized treatment plan.
Treatment Options: How Hearing Aids Can Help
While there is no universal “cure” for tinnitus, many patients find significant relief through hearing aids and other sound therapy solutions. Here’s how:
Amplification of External Sounds – By making surrounding sounds clearer, hearing aids reduce the contrast between external noise and the internal ringing.
Built-In Sound Therapy – Many modern hearing aids include features that generate soft, soothing sounds to help mask tinnitus.
Improved Communication – Better hearing reduces the stress and fatigue caused by struggling to follow conversations, which can in turn lessen tinnitus perception.
Personalized Programming – At Audiology Associates Hawaii, hearing aids are fine-tuned to your hearing profile, lifestyle, and tinnitus needs.
For many patients, this combination of improved hearing and sound therapy leads to noticeable relief and a greater sense of control.
Why Choose Audiology Associates Hawaii?
With over 30 years of serving our community, Audiology Associates Hawaii is committed to helping patients live fuller, more connected lives. Our team provides:
Doctoral-level audiologists (AuD) with advanced training.
Compassionate, one-on-one care tailored to your needs.
Access to the latest hearing aid technology with tinnitus management features.
A supportive environment—including our unique “Hearing Hale”, where you can test hearing aids and sound therapy in real-world listening scenarios.
Take the First Step Toward Relief
If tinnitus is disrupting your life, you don’t have to face it alone. At Audiology Associates Hawaii, we’ll work with you to evaluate your symptoms and explore treatment options—so you can find relief, regain clarity, and reconnect with the world around you.
📞 Contact us today at our Honolulu or Aiea locations to schedule a tinnitus evaluation.