Hearing check-up
A hearing assessment is an important first step. Tinnitus is often linked with hearing changes, and identifying hearing loss early can help guide appropriate support.
Tinnitus Management
Tinnitus Management in Nottingham
A £30 doctor-led tinnitus and ear health check for ringing, buzzing, hissing, whooshing or pulsing sounds. If appropriate, your doctor can refer you to our in-house audiologist for complete hearing assessment and tinnitus management support.
Cost and booking
How much does a tinnitus assessment cost?
£30Your tinnitus pathway starts with a £30 doctor-led Ear & Hearing Health Check. This allows a medical doctor to examine your ears, review your symptoms and check for treatable contributors such as wax, infection, inflammation or other ear problems.
If further audiology input is needed, your doctor can refer you to our in-house audiologist for a complete hearing assessment and personalised tinnitus management advice. This follow-on tinnitus management appointment is free when arranged following referral from our doctor. If hearing aids are recommended, this will be discussed clearly with no pressure to proceed.
Book tinnitus health checkRinging, buzzing or noise in the ears
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when there is no external sound source. Although it is often described as ringing in the ears, tinnitus can also sound like humming, buzzing, hissing, whistling, roaring, whooshing or pulsing.
The sound may be heard in one ear, both ears, or feel as though it is coming from inside the head. Tinnitus is common and is not always a sign of a serious problem, but it can affect sleep, concentration, confidence and quality of life.
Different types of tinnitus
Tinnitus can sound different for different people
Some people notice a simple ringing sound, while others experience more complex noises. Understanding the character of the tinnitus helps guide the most appropriate assessment and advice.
BuzzingWhooshingBeating or pulsingMusical tuneHissingRoaring
How do I know if I have tinnitus?
Unexplained noises in one or both ears
If you have tinnitus, you may hear noises in one or both ears that other people cannot hear. The noises may also seem to be inside your head rather than in the ear itself.
If you are concerned you may have tinnitus but are unsure, a £30 tinnitus health check can help. Your doctor can assess your ears medically first and, where appropriate, refer you to our in-house audiologist for a free follow-on hearing assessment and personalised tinnitus management plan.
Management options
How do I manage tinnitus?
There is not currently a single cure for tinnitus, but there are several evidence-informed strategies that can reduce how intrusive it feels and help you manage symptoms more confidently. At Nottingham Ear Clinic, we start by checking for medical ear causes first, then involve our in-house audiologist where a complete hearing assessment or tinnitus management plan is needed. Audiology tinnitus management appointments are free when referred by our doctor.
Ear wax removal
Wax build-up can sometimes contribute to blocked hearing or make tinnitus more noticeable. If wax is present, you can be referred to our doctor-led microsuction service.
Using hearing aids
Where tinnitus is associated with hearing loss, hearing aids can improve access to everyday sound and may indirectly reduce the prominence of tinnitus.
Sound enrichment therapy
Natural background sounds, such as rainfall, birdsong or gentle environmental sound, can help reduce the contrast between tinnitus and silence.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
CBT-based approaches can help manage the emotional impact of tinnitus by reducing negative reactions and improving coping strategies.
Tinnitus retraining therapy
This combines sound enrichment with structured counselling-style support to help the brain pay less attention to the tinnitus over time.
When urgent advice is needed
Seek urgent medical advice if tinnitus is sudden, associated with sudden hearing loss, facial weakness, severe dizziness, severe headache, neurological symptoms, or a pulsing sound in time with your heartbeat.
A calm, structured approach
Most tinnitus can be assessed in a routine appointment. Our aim is to identify treatable contributors, explain your findings clearly and guide you towards appropriate support.
Your questions, answered
Detailed answers about tinnitus assessment and management at Nottingham Ear Clinic.
How much does a tinnitus assessment cost?
Your tinnitus pathway starts with a £30 doctor-led Ear & Hearing Health Check. If further audiology input is needed, your doctor can refer you to our in-house audiologist for a free follow-on complete hearing assessment and tinnitus management advice.
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus can be linked with noise exposure, hearing loss, certain medications, excessive ear wax, ear infection, head or neck injury, stress, and some longer-term health conditions. In many cases there is not one single cause. Tinnitus is thought to involve changes in how the hearing system and brain process sound.
What are the side effects of tinnitus?
Tinnitus itself is not a disease, but it can affect quality of life. Some people experience stress, anxiety, sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, reduced confidence or frustration in quiet environments.
Is there a cure for tinnitus?
There is currently no guaranteed cure for tinnitus, but there are effective management strategies. These may include treating wax or ear inflammation, addressing hearing loss, sound enrichment, tinnitus education, relaxation strategies and specialist support where appropriate.
Can you get tinnitus in just one ear?
Yes. Tinnitus can affect one ear, both ears or feel as though it is coming from inside the head. Tinnitus in one ear only should be assessed, especially if it is new or associated with hearing change.
How long does tinnitus last?
The duration varies. For some people tinnitus is temporary, while for others it can be longer lasting. A professional assessment can help identify treatable contributors and guide strategies to reduce the impact on daily life.
Can ear wax cause tinnitus?
Yes. Wax build-up can block sound entering the ear and make tinnitus more noticeable. If wax is present, our team can advise whether doctor-led microsuction wax removal is appropriate.
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