Diagnosing Tinnitus:

If you think you have tinnitus, your doctor may send you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT)  or to a neurologist for clinical and diagnostic evaluation.  You'll probably undergo a hearing test (auditory assessment) and might be sent for CT (computerized tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans of the head to see if the source of the noise can be traced.

You'll be questioned on your medical history, medications you take, any history of head trauma, whether you're exposed to loud sounds, and even whether you smoke. Your doctor may ask if you're under more stress than usual, because sometimes depression or stress can bring on these episodes. It's also possible that a visit to the dentist may be recommended to see if a problem with your jaw is contributing to the situation.