A tinnitus assessment takes 60 to 90 minutes and works through six stages: case history, otoscopic examination, full diagnostic audiometry, tinnitus pitch and loudness matching, a Tinnitus Handicap Inventory questionnaire, and a written management plan. Nothing in it is invasive or uncomfortable, and you get your results on the day.
The reason the appointment is structured this way is that tinnitus is a symptom with many possible causes. Each stage narrows the field, so that by the end there is a specific recommendation rather than general advice.
The six stages
- 1
1. Case history (15 minutes)
When the tinnitus started, what it sounds like, which ear, what makes it better or worse, your noise exposure history, medications, and how it affects sleep and concentration.
- 2
2. Otoscopy (5 minutes)
A look down each ear canal at the eardrum, checking for wax, infection, perforation or structural change. This is where a simple, treatable cause is often found.
- 3
3. Diagnostic audiometry (20 minutes)
Air and bone conduction thresholds across all test frequencies in each ear, plus speech testing where relevant. This establishes whether hearing loss is driving the tinnitus.
- 4
4. Pitch and loudness matching (15 minutes)
Tones are presented until you identify the closest match to your tinnitus, then the level is adjusted to match its perceived loudness. A minimum masking level is also measured.
- 5
5. Impact questionnaire (10 minutes)
The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores the effect on your daily life, giving a baseline to measure progress against.
- 6
6. Your written plan (15 minutes)
Everything explained in plain English, with a written management plan covering the recommended route and any onward referral.
How to prepare
| Do | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Bring a list of your medications | Several drug classes can contribute to tinnitus |
| Note when it started and what triggers it | The history narrows the likely cause more than any single test |
| Avoid loud noise for 24 hours before | Recent exposure temporarily shifts your hearing thresholds |
| Bring someone with you if you like | A second pair of ears helps with the plan discussion |
| Mention dizziness or vertigo at booking | It changes what we test and how urgently you are seen |
What you leave with
A copy of your audiogram, your tinnitus pitch and loudness match, your THI score, and a written plan. Depending on the findings, that plan may point towards sound therapy for tinnitus, a structured tinnitus retraining therapy programme, hearing aids, ear wax removal, or onward medical referral.
Costs are set out in full on our tinnitus assessment cost page.
Frequently asked questions
Clinical References & Sources
- British Society of Audiology. Recommended procedures for audiological assessment. thebsa.org.uk
- NICE CKS (2024). Tinnitus: assessment. cks.nice.org.uk
- NHS (2023). Tinnitus. nhs.uk
- HCPC. Check the register. hcpc-uk.org
Reviewed 27 July 2026. Next scheduled review: September 2026.