Auditory factors
Tinnitus can accompany noise exposure, age-related hearing loss, acute sensorineural hearing loss, Ménière's disease, and more.
TINNITUS · HEARING LOSS CLINIC
Tinnitus and hearing loss:
Tinnitus and hearing loss:
first we distinguish "why you hear it"
from "whether your hearing has dropped"
Tinnitus is not a single disease but a symptom that can arise from many causes. If you suddenly cannot hear in one ear and develop tinnitus or ear fullness, sudden hearing loss must be ruled out first. Yonsei DANA ENT Clinic evaluates acute hearing loss and chronic tinnitus step by step, based on an ENT examination and hearing assessment.
Sudden hearing lossIf hearing drops in one ear with tinnitus or ear fullness, a prompt hearing test comes first.
Chronic tinnitusWe look at hearing loss, noise exposure, sleep, stress, and jaw and neck factors together.
Jongno · GwanghwamunAbout a 2-minute walk from Jonggak Stn Exit 1 or Gwanghwamun Stn Exit 4.
QUICK ANSWER
Sudden ear fullness and tinnitus?
Key answer:
Rather than dismissing it as a simple blocked ear, it is important to check promptly for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. If hearing in one ear has dropped suddenly, or tinnitus, ear fullness, or dizziness has newly appeared, we recommend an ENT examination and a hearing test.
Do not delay care in these cases
① Sudden difficulty hearing in one ear ② Hearing changes along with tinnitus ③ Ear fullness and dizziness at the same time ④ Hearing has changed sharply over the past few days ⑤ Facial paralysis or severe neurological symptoms
※ The timing of treatment for sudden hearing loss can matter. It cannot be diagnosed from online information alone; an actual hearing test is needed.
WHY TINNITUS HAPPENS
Tinnitus may not be a problem of the ear alone
Even if you have been told "your ears are fine," some points may need to be re-examined depending on the nature of the tinnitus and accompanying symptoms.
Middle ear · Eustachian tube factors
When middle ear problems, pressure changes, or ear fullness are present, we check the ear examination and middle ear function together.
Sleep · stress factors
Lack of sleep and stress can increase how much tinnitus is noticed and how bothersome it is, so we look at its impact on daily life as well as its intensity.
Somatic factors of the jaw and neck
In somatic tinnitus, which changes with jaw movement or neck posture, jaw joint and neck factors can be checked.
Medications · general health
Your medications, history of noise exposure, and metabolic or vascular risk factors may need further questions and evaluation depending on your situation.
Signs that further testing is needed
Asymmetric hearing loss, persistent one-sided tinnitus, pulsatile tinnitus, or neurological symptoms lead us to consider further evaluation such as imaging.
EVALUATION
Tinnitus and hearing loss care starts with "checking your hearing"
We do not run every test from the start; we choose the tests you need step by step based on your symptoms and examination.
Timeline of symptoms
We check when it started, whether it was sudden, whether it is one-sided or both sides, and whether there was noise exposure, infection, dizziness, or ear fullness.
Ear examination + basic hearing assessment
We check the outer ear and eardrum and confirm the degree of hearing loss and left–right differences through pure-tone and speech audiometry.
Middle ear · Eustachian tube and additional hearing tests if needed
If there is ear fullness, a sense of pressure, or possible middle ear disease, we add tests that fit your symptoms, such as tympanometry and middle ear function tests.
Detailed evaluation based on warning signs
For asymmetric hearing loss, pulsatile tinnitus, or neurological abnormalities, we may arrange imaging or evaluation at a higher-level hospital depending on the findings.
TinnitusHearing lossSudden hearing loss Ear fullnessOne-sided tinnitusPulsatile tinnitus Ménière's diseaseHearing test
MANAGEMENT
Treatment strategy depends on the cause and the degree of discomfort
Rather than approaching tinnitus with a single treatment to "make it disappear," we plan treatment of acute causes, auditory rehabilitation, and reducing the discomfort caused by tinnitus separately.
When sudden hearing loss is suspected
We check for sensorineural hearing loss with a hearing test and, if diagnosed, consider standard treatment such as steroids, taking into account the time of onset and your condition. If recovery is insufficient, intratympanic steroid treatment may be considered depending on timing.
Chronic tinnitus with hearing loss
If hearing loss is confirmed, we consider auditory rehabilitation such as hearing aids. The goal is to supplement sound input while improving communication and tinnitus-related discomfort.
Persistent, bothersome tinnitus
Counseling and education, sound therapy, TRT, and CBT are used to reduce the stress and disruption to daily life caused by tinnitus. We also check your sleep, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating.
rTMS — an optional adjunctive treatment
rTMS is not the first-line treatment for all tinnitus. The 2026 Korean tinnitus clinical practice guideline conditionally recommends it as an adjunctive neuromodulation treatment for some patients. At our clinic, after a basic hearing evaluation and standard care, we explain suitability, contraindications, expected effects, and limitations before offering it as an option.
About rTMS care →
The goal of care is not a promise to "make the sound go away completely."
We first look for causes that can be treated, and manage any remaining tinnitus by reducing its impact on hearing, sleep, emotions, and daily functioning.
WHO SHOULD BE CHECKED
We recommend an ENT evaluation in these cases
Tinnitus has just started
Especially if it began suddenly or your hearing feels different, checking your hearing comes first.
Tinnitus continues in one ear
We check for a difference in hearing between the ears and consider further evaluation if needed.
Tinnitus keeps me from sleeping
We evaluate not only how loud the sound is but also its impact on sleep and daily functioning.
I'm not sure whether I need hearing aids
We judge the need for auditory rehabilitation based on your hearing level, speech understanding, and difficulties in daily life.
FAQ
Tinnitus & hearing loss FAQ
If tinnitus and ear fullness come on suddenly, should I see a doctor right away?
If hearing in one ear has suddenly dropped, or ear fullness or dizziness has newly appeared with tinnitus, sudden sensorineural hearing loss must be ruled out first. It is important to have a hearing test at an ENT clinic as soon as possible.
What does a tinnitus evaluation involve?
After taking your history and examining your ears, we check for hearing loss based on tests such as pure-tone and speech audiometry. Depending on your symptoms, we may add middle ear function tests, tinnitus assessment, or imaging.
Can I receive rTMS for tinnitus?
Some patients may be candidates, but rTMS is not the first-line treatment for all tinnitus. The 2026 Korean clinical practice guideline conditionally recommends it as an adjunctive treatment for some patients; because the certainty of evidence and the effect are limited, the decision should be made individually after a basic evaluation.
If I have both tinnitus and hearing loss, can hearing aids help?
For tinnitus with hearing loss, a hearing aid evaluation may be recommended. It can help improve sound input and communication and reduce the discomfort caused by tinnitus.
If tinnitus continues in only one ear, do I need an MRI?
Not every patient needs an MRI. If one-sided persistent tinnitus comes with asymmetric hearing loss, if the tinnitus is pulsatile, or if certain neurological findings are present, imaging is considered to identify the cause.
Can vitamins or supplements alone treat tinnitus?
There is not enough evidence that any specific supplement alone can treat all tinnitus. It is appropriate to evaluate hearing and the cause first, and to correct nutritional status only when there is a separate indication.
Medical references
This page is general information for patient education and does not replace an individual diagnosis or treatment. It was written with reference to the 2026 Korean tinnitus clinical practice guideline and otolaryngology clinical practice guidelines.
References: Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Tinnitus in Korea (2026) · AAO-HNSF Sudden Hearing Loss Guideline
Last updated: 2026-10-06