Can My Tinnitus be Tested and Measured?

Tinnitus is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Measuring tinnitus can help give tinnitus tonal characteristics and make it more tangible.
Yes, tinnitus can be measured using various methods. Tinnitus is a subjective phenomenon that only the person experiencing it can hear. This makes diagnosing tinnitus very challenging, since it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. However, it is possible to measure one’s feelings and reactions to tinnitus and the physiological changes that occur in the auditory system in response to tinnitus. These are called subjective and objective measurements, respectively. 

Subjective Measures

Subjective measures rely on human input and judgment and are a good way to understand one’s specific needs. One commonly used subjective method for measuring the effects of tinnitus on one’s quality of life are questionnaires.
Some of the more commonly known questionnaires are the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). The THI is a questionnaire that assesses the impact of tinnitus on a person's quality of life. It measures the degree of discomfort and distress caused by tinnitus, as well as the extent to which it affects daily activities.
Another questionnaire for measuring the effects of tinnitus is called the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI). The TFI is a self-report questionnaire that measures the functional impact of tinnitus on a person's daily life, including emotional and cognitive effects.
There are several other questionnaires available in the public domain for you to access. Regardless of what questionnaire you choose to use, it’s important to be consistent as each questionnaire uses a unique scoring system. It is not recommended to compare scores from different questionnaires.
While tinnitus is a subjective experience, there are various ways to measure its impact and characteristics objectively.

Objective Measures

In addition to questionnaires, there are also objective measures of tinnitus. Objective measures are impartial and free of subjective bias. An example of an objective measure is a psychoacoustic measurement, which measures the frequency, intensity, and duration of the tinnitus sound. These measures can be used to assess the severity and pitch of the tinnitus and to monitor changes over time.  These objective measures are typically done by a hearing healthcare professional in the clinic using audiometric equipment.

Benefits of Tinnitus Measures

Subjective and objective measures can help shape your tinnitus and provide additional information that can help you better understand your tinnitus as you begin your journey to finding relief. These measures are typically carried out by healthcare professionals, but can also be self-administered via certain apps like MindEar. Both questionnaires and objective measures help identify what you are feeling and experiencing at that moment. These measures can also be used as baselines to monitor changes over time to see if a particular treatment is helping you find relief from your tinnitus. All in all, although these measures won’t relieve you of your tinnitus alone, they can provide helpful information on your journey.

How we can help you in your tinnitus journey

Tinnitus.com offers a range of scientifically-backed solutions that can help you manage your tinnitus symptoms effectively. The MindEar app offers a self-administered TFI questionnaire feature that you can use at your leisure. In addition, the app provides sound therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness techniques, providing you with the tools to take control of your condition so that you can live a life without noticing it. MindEar is here to guide you on that journey.