Tinnitus Treatment in Naples, FL

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound, like ringing, buzzing, or hissing, when there's no actual noise present. It can affect one or both ears and range from soft to loud. Tinnitus isn't a disease, it's a symptom, and in most cases, it isn't a sign of anything serious. If it's affecting your daily life, treatment options are available to help.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus can have many different causes, and sometimes no clear cause is ever identified. Common causes include:

Earwax buildup blocking the ear canal
Age-related or noise-induced hearing loss
Meniere's disease
Certain medications that can affect hearing (ototoxic drugs)
Jaw joint (TMJ) disorders
Head or neck injuries

If you're not sure what's causing your tinnitus, an evaluation with an ENT can help identify the underlying cause.

When Should I See a Doctor About Tinnitus?

Most tinnitus isn't a medical emergency, but there are times when it's worth seeing a doctor sooner rather than later.

Tinnitus started suddenly, especially after a loud noise or head injury
You also have sudden hearing loss or dizziness
The sound seems to pulse in rhythm with your heartbeat
Tinnitus is only in one ear
It's significantly affecting your sleep, concentration, or mood

Outside of these situations, tinnitus is still worth mentioning to an ENT. An evaluation can help identify what's causing it and rule out anything more serious.

Treatment Options for Tinnitus

At Collier Otolaryngology, our board-certified physicians Dr. Thomas Magardino and Dr. Todd Morehouse lead a team experienced in evaluating tinnitus and related ear, nose, and throat conditions.

Treatment for tinnitus depends on what's causing it and how it's affecting your life. Common approaches include:

Treating the underlying cause: If tinnitus is linked to earwax buildup, a medication, or a condition like Meniere's disease, addressing that cause directly can sometimes reduce or resolve tinnitus.
Sound therapy: Background noise or white noise machines can make tinnitus less noticeable, especially at night.
Hearing aids: If hearing loss is contributing to your tinnitus, hearing aids can help by amplifying external sound, which may reduce how noticeable the tinnitus is.
Tinnitus retraining therapy: A structured program that helps your brain gradually tune out the sound over time.
Counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy: Can help manage the emotional impact of tinnitus, especially if it's affecting your sleep or mood.

Your ENT can help determine which approach, or combination of approaches, fits your situation. This may include working with our audiology services if hearing aids or sound therapy are part of your treatment plan.

Patient describing ringing-in-the-ears symptoms during a consultation

You Don't Have to Live With Tinnitus

Tinnitus can be frustrating, but you don't have to just manage it on your own. An ENT evaluation in Naples can help identify what's causing your symptoms and find an approach that actually helps.

Talk to a Specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

Can tinnitus be cured?

Tinnitus doesn't always have a cure, but many people find significant relief through treatment, especially when an underlying cause can be identified and addressed. For others, treatments like sound therapy or tinnitus retraining therapy can make the sound much less noticeable over time.

What's the best doctor to see for tinnitus treatment?

An ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor) is typically the right specialist for tinnitus, since they can evaluate your ears, hearing, and overall auditory system to identify what's causing your symptoms.

Does tinnitus get worse over time?

Tinnitus can stay the same, improve, or worsen depending on its cause. If your tinnitus is changing or getting worse, it's worth having it evaluated, since that can sometimes point to an underlying condition that needs attention.

Is tinnitus a sign of something serious, like a tumor?

In most cases, no. Tinnitus is usually linked to common causes like earwax buildup, noise exposure, or age-related hearing changes. In rare cases, tinnitus in only one ear can be associated with a benign tumor called an acoustic neuroma, which is one reason one-sided tinnitus is worth having evaluated. For the vast majority of people, tinnitus is not a sign of a serious underlying condition.