Steve’s Story: Finding Significant Relief with the Right Tinnitus Treatment and Team

When Steve first developed tinnitus, he wasn't panicked. He wanted to understand what was happening and, more importantly, whether anything could be done about it.

"I was a bit surprised when I first noticed my tinnitus. I wasn't unhappy or afraid, just wondered what I could do."

That question eventually brought him to Sound Relief Tinnitus & Hearing Center.

A Tinnitus Evaluation That Goes Beyond a Hearing Test

Tinnitus is a symptom, not a single condition, and its causes and effects can vary significantly from one person to another. That is why a comprehensive tinnitus evaluation should involve more than simply checking for hearing loss.

At Sound Relief, the goal is to understand the patient's tinnitus, hearing, sound tolerance, medical history, symptoms, and the impact of tinnitus on daily life. That information helps determine what may be contributing to the tinnitus and which treatment options are appropriate.

"There is no single tinnitus treatment that is right for everyone. The first step is understanding what you're experiencing, how it's affecting you, and what may be contributing to it. That's why a thorough tinnitus evaluation is so important."
— Dr. Julie Prutsman, Au.D., Owner and Founder of Sound Relief Tinnitus & Hearing Center

For Steve, the difference was apparent from his first appointment.

"They were very professional and provided information on how they could help reduce the effects of tinnitus. The staff is very caring and professional, which makes for a very warm atmosphere."

Experiencing Prescriptive Sound Therapy

An important part of Sound Relief's approach is determining whether a patient may benefit from prescriptive sound therapy.

When clinically appropriate, patients may have the opportunity to receive treatment before deciding whether to move forward. Steve was able to try devices programmed for his needs during his initial visit.

"My initial visit included the use of a pair of devices I could sit in the lobby with to hear for myself how my tinnitus can be lessened."

That experience matters. Tinnitus treatment should not be based on assumptions about what a patient needs. Whenever possible, we want patients to experience how a recommended treatment affects their tinnitus and understand why it is being recommended.

Learn what to expect during a comprehensive tinnitus evaluation.

Significant Improvement in Daily Life

Steve ultimately experienced a substantial reduction in the impact of his tinnitus.

"The effects of my tinnitus have been reduced significantly. I am able to hear sounds around me more clearly, which improves my socialization and connection to family and friends."

That distinction is important. Successful tinnitus treatment does not necessarily mean eliminating the tinnitus sound completely. For many patients, the goal is to reduce its perception and impact so that it becomes less intrusive and no longer commands the same attention.

As Dr. Julie explains:

"When we talk about tinnitus relief, we're not simply asking, 'Can you still hear it?' We're looking at how much tinnitus is affecting your sleep, concentration, emotional well-being, relationships, and quality of life. When tinnitus stops controlling those parts of your life, that's meaningful progress."
— Dr. Julie Prutsman, Au.D.

Steve's experience is his own, and tinnitus treatment outcomes vary from person to person. But his story demonstrates something we want every tinnitus patient to understand: being told there is nothing you can do is not the same as having a comprehensive tinnitus evaluation with a provider who specializes in tinnitus.

His advice to others is simple:

"Please visit the clinic to see for yourself how they can help."

If tinnitus is interfering with your life, the next step is understanding what is happening and what treatment options may be appropriate for you.

Schedule a tinnitus evaluation with Sound Relief.

Prefer to speak with our team first? Request a callback.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can tinnitus be cured?

There is currently no cure for tinnitus, but that does not mean nothing can be done. Evidence-based tinnitus management may significantly reduce tinnitus perception, distress, and its impact on daily life. The appropriate treatment depends on the individual and may include prescriptive sound therapy, hearing technology when hearing loss is present, education, counseling, and other management strategies.

Does everyone with tinnitus have hearing loss?

No. Tinnitus and hearing loss frequently occur together, but people with clinically normal hearing can also experience tinnitus. That is one reason Sound Relief does not assume hearing loss is responsible for a patient's tinnitus. A comprehensive evaluation helps us understand the individual's hearing, tinnitus, sound tolerance, symptoms, and history before making treatment recommendations.

What makes a tinnitus evaluation different from a standard hearing test?

A hearing test is an important component of a tinnitus evaluation, but it is only one piece of the picture. A comprehensive tinnitus evaluation examines the characteristics and severity of tinnitus, hearing function, sound tolerance, relevant medical history, and how tinnitus affects daily life. At Sound Relief, this information is used to develop an individualized treatment recommendation rather than applying the same solution to every patient.

How quickly can tinnitus treatment help?

There is no universal timeline. Some patients experience an immediate change in tinnitus perception when appropriately programmed sound therapy is introduced, as Steve did during his initial visit. For others, meaningful improvement develops gradually over time. Treatment recommendations and outcomes depend on the individual.

What is prescriptive sound therapy for tinnitus?

Prescriptive sound therapy uses carefully selected and programmed auditory input as part of an individualized tinnitus treatment plan. Unlike simply masking tinnitus with background noise, the goal is to reduce the tinnitus's perception and impact and, when appropriate, support habituation over time. The specific approach should be based on the patient's evaluation and individual needs.