Audiologist how-to

How to Counsel a Patient on Tinnitus

Counseling reduces distress.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Counseling reduces distress. In short: listen; explain; check, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Listen to the patient’s experience.

  2. Explain what tinnitus is.

  3. Check for hearing loss.

  4. Suggest sound therapy.

  5. Discuss sleep and stress.

  6. Plan follow-up.

Safety reminders for audiologists

  • Clean equipment between patients
  • Use safe sound levels in testing
  • Refer sudden hearing loss urgently
  • Follow infection control

AuD · Audiogram · Decibel · Conductive hearing loss · Sensorineural hearing loss · Tinnitus: see the full audiologist glossary.

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