6 Steps to Effectively Treating Tinnitus
Dr Keith Darrow shares 6 Steps to Effectively Treating Tinnitus.
A clear path to relief—even if the ringing never stops completely.
Tinnitus, that persistent ringing or buzzing in your ears or head, can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: Tinnitus is treatable—and we have a structured, science-backed plan to help.
Our 6-Step Tinnitus Treatment Program is designed to reduce the impact of tinnitus and help you live a calmer, more focused life.
Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Education
The first and most important step? Understanding your tinnitus.
An educated patient is an empowered patient. When you know what tinnitus is, what causes it, and how it affects your brain, it becomes less scary—and easier to manage.
Knowledge reduces fear.
If you’re reading this or watching our videos, you’ve already started your treatment journey.
Step 2: Qualify the Tinnitus
Everyone’s experience with tinnitus is different.
To understand where you stand, we ask two simple but powerful questions:
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How bothersome is your tinnitus on a scale from 1 to 10?
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How aware are you of it throughout the day?
Your answers help us tailor the treatment plan to your unique experience.
Step 3: Quantify the Tinnitus
We go beyond general questions and use clinically validated tools like:
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The Tinnitus Handicap Index (THI)
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The Iowa Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire (THQ)
These assessments help us understand how tinnitus is affecting your emotions, sleep, concentration, and daily function. You can’t improve what you don’t measure.
Step 4: Diagnose the Tinnitus
Before we treat anything, we first identify the root cause. Tinnitus is most often the result of a breakdown in the ear-to-brain pathway.
Our diagnostic process includes:
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Cognitive screening
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Outer/middle ear examination
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Cochlear function testing
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Sound sensitivity measurements
This comprehensive evaluation ensures your treatment is based on real data—not guesswork.
Step 5: Treat the Tinnitus
Now that we understand the problem, it’s time to address it.
Tinnitus is often caused by a lack of sound stimulation to the brain. That’s why sound-based therapy is a cornerstone of treatment.
This might include:
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Prescriptive hearing aid technology
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Custom sound therapy
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Direct vs. indirect approaches, depending on your specific needs
Treatment is highly effective for most patients when tailored properly.
Step 6: Track Treatment Outcomes
The final step is what separates real care from guesswork: Monitoring your progress.
We measure your outcomes at set intervals to ensure:
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Your tinnitus is becoming less intrusive
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Your emotional response is improving
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Your treatment is doing what it’s supposed to do
This data-driven approach means your plan can evolve as you do.
Ready to Take Control of Your Tinnitus?
While there may not be a "cure," tinnitus is highly treatable. With a clear plan, expert support, and the right tools, you can:
Reclaim your focus
Improve your sleep
Enjoy peace of mind again
You don’t have to live in silence—or suffer through the noise.
Those are the 6 Steps to Effectively Treating Tinnitus. We hope you enjoyed.
