Tinnitus Care in Kirkland, WA
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external noise is present, often experienced as ringing, buzzing, or other sounds in one or both ears. This condition affects people differently—some notice it only in quiet environments, while others find it interferes with daily activities and concentration.
- Affects over 50 million Americans with varying degrees of severity
- Sounds are internally generated, not from external sources
- Can significantly impact quality of life and sleep patterns
Dr. Ashley Al-Izzi assesses your tinnitus and your hearing together, then recommends one plan built around what she finds.
The sounds associated with tinnitus vary greatly from person to person and may change in pitch, volume, or character throughout the day. Some individuals experience tinnitus in one ear, while others hear it in both ears or perceive it as coming from inside their head. The intensity can range from barely noticeable to loud enough to interfere with concentration and hearing actual sounds.
For many people, tinnitus becomes more noticeable during quiet times, such as when trying to fall asleep or in silent rooms. This increased awareness can create a cycle where focusing on the sound makes it seem louder or more bothersome.
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Causes of Tinnitus
Hearing Loss
Noise Exposure
Ear Conditions
Medical Conditions
Lifestyle Factors
Understanding what triggers your tinnitus helps us develop an effective treatment plan tailored to your specific situation. Tinnitus rarely has a single cause—instead, it often results from a combination of factors that affect your auditory system and overall health.
Each person's tinnitus has unique characteristics and triggers, which is why our personalized approach focuses on identifying and addressing your specific contributing factors. By understanding the root causes of your tinnitus, we can better predict which treatment options will be most effective and help you develop strategies to minimize its impact on your daily life.
Your Tinnitus Evaluation
Your first visit is a full assessment of your tinnitus and your hearing, so your plan is built on what is actually going on. It usually includes:
- A conversation about your tinnitus: when it started, what it sounds like, and where it affects you most, such as sleep, focus or mood
- A look in your ears and a full hearing test
- Measurements of your tinnitus, such as its pitch and loudness
- The Tinnitus Functional Index, a short questionnaire about how much tinnitus is affecting your daily life, which gives a starting point to measure progress against
- A clear explanation of what we found and what we recommend, with time for your questions
How We Help With Tinnitus
There is no cure for tinnitus, but there is a lot that can make it easier to live with. After your evaluation, Dr. Al-Izzi recommends a plan that can include any of the options below.
Hearing Aids with Tinnitus Management Features
Modern hearing aids from manufacturers like Oticon, Phonak, Signia, Widex, and Starkey include specialized tinnitus management programs. These devices not only address any underlying hearing loss but also provide customizable sound therapy options. By improving your overall hearing, these devices often reduce the prominence of tinnitus, especially in environments with background noise. See the hearing aids we fit.
Sound Therapy and Masking
Sound therapy uses external sounds to help your brain shift focus away from tinnitus. This can include white noise machines, nature sounds, or specialized tinnitus maskers. We work with you to find the right combination of sounds and volume levels that provide relief without interfering with your daily activities or sleep. For sound therapy on your phone, with a daily routine to follow at home, see the Oto program below.
Lifestyle Modifications and Counseling
Small changes in daily habits can make a significant difference in tinnitus perception. We provide guidance on stress management techniques, sleep hygiene, and dietary considerations. Our counseling approach helps you understand your tinnitus and develop coping strategies that reduce its impact on your life. Between visits, the Oto program below gives you exercises drawing on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to work through at home.
Lyric Hearing Device
Lyric hearing devices can be an excellent option for people who suffer from tinnitus because they provide continuous sound stimulation 24/7, even during sleep. By amplifying environmental sounds around the clock, they help reduce the perception of tinnitus through a process called sound therapy or masking. Since Lyric devices are worn deep in the ear canal and remain in place for months at a time, users experience consistent relief without having to insert or remove a device daily, making them a convenient and discreet solution for managing tinnitus symptoms. Read more about Lyric at Hearing Specialty Center.
The Oto Program
Oto is an at-home tinnitus management program that uses sound therapy, with exercises drawing on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques alongside. It runs on your phone in short daily sessions of around five to ten minutes, across a structured program of around three months. It is for adults 18 and over, and Dr. Al-Izzi sets it up with you after your evaluation, as part of your plan, and reviews your progress at your follow-ups.
The program includes:
- Therapeutic sound: a library of sounds, from soundscapes to pink noise, to use during sessions and at any time
- Guided audio sessions in six stages, covering education about tinnitus, relaxation and mindfulness, and sleep
- Exercises drawing on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, alongside the sound
- Your Tinnitus Functional Index scores, tracked over time, which Dr. Al-Izzi reviews with you
Oto is not a cure for tinnitus, and no cure currently exists. It gives you a routine to follow at home and something to use between appointments. You can see the guided audio it includes on the Oto website.
Oto and Your Hearing Aids
If you wear hearing aids, including Lyric, they restore the sound you have been missing, and tinnitus is often less noticeable while you wear them. Oto runs alongside them. It gives you sound you control from your phone, including at night if your aids come out, and a routine to follow between appointments.
If you don't need hearing aids, Oto can be used on its own. You will not be asked to choose between them.
Is Oto Backed by Research?
Oto's daily sessions use therapeutic sound, with exercises drawing on cognitive behavioral techniques alongside. That approach is recommended for tinnitus management by NICE, by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and by Cochrane.
Oto has been studied in a randomized controlled trial at Flinders University in Australia, published in 2025. Ninety-six adults were randomized either to use Oto or to a wait-list control group. At six months, the group using Oto showed a statistically significant improvement on the Tinnitus Functional Index, a validated measure of how much tinnitus is affecting daily life, with a 9-point reduction and an effect size of 0.62.
Ready to talk about your tinnitus? Call us at 425-821-6600 to book a tinnitus evaluation with Dr. Al-Izzi.
If your tinnitus came on suddenly, is in one ear only, or pulses in time with your heartbeat, please call us first so we can see you promptly.
