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How we help

Tinnitus

Told to live with the ringing? There’s more to try.

Tinnitus is hearing sound when there’s no sound around you: ringing, buzzing, roaring or a pulsing beat. It can come and go, or it can stay for years.

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What it can feel like

Everyone’s experience is different. These are some of the things people tell us.

  • Ringing
  • Buzzing
  • Roaring or whistling
  • Pulsing or thumping
  • Trouble hearing
  • Trouble concentrating

Dr. Mark Liker, neurosurgeon and founder

    What treatment looks like

    Short sessions while you’re awake and comfortable. No anesthesia, no medication, and you drive yourself home.

    Paying for it

    Questions people ask

    How does TMS help tinnitus?

    Tinnitus may come from overactivity in the auditory cortex. TMS calms that pathway, which can reduce the ringing or noise. There’s no cure, but for many of our patients, what was unbearable becomes bearable.

    Will my tinnitus be completely gone?

    Everyone responds differently. Some people say it’s gone completely, while others find it quieter or less frequent, with some days of no noise at all.

    Will insurance cover it?

    Insurance doesn’t cover tinnitus treatment at this time. You can pay directly, with payment plans and CareCredit available, or through a lien if you’re in a personal injury case.

    Can TMS be combined with other tinnitus therapies?

    Yes. The best results may come from combining TMS with other therapies, such as CBT or sound therapy.

    Is TMS safe?

    TMS has been studied extensively and used in clinics for nearly 20 years, and it’s generally well tolerated. Scalp discomfort and headache can occur, and seizures are rare. Before you start, we do a thorough intake, go over the risks with you and check whether it’s suitable for you.

    What are the side effects?

    The most common are scalp discomfort where the coil sits and a mild headache, usually in the first sessions. Some people have none. Seizures are rare. Your clinician will go over the risks with you before you start.

    What does a session look like?

    Most sessions take up to about 30 minutes, including setup. We place a small tracker on your face and a coil on your head, and you’ll feel light tapping that people often compare to a woodpecker. You can get back to your day right after.

    Tinnitus is hearing sound when there’s no sound around you: ringing, buzzing, roaring or a pulsing beat. It can come and go, or it can stay for years.

    It’s linked to overactivity in the parts of the brain that process sound. TMS gently calms that overactivity, which can make the noise quieter and easier to live with.

    There’s no cure for tinnitus, but our patients tell us that what was unbearable became bearable. Treatment is drug-free, and you can get back to your day right after each session.

    What you hear

    How it affects you

    How we treat tinnitus

    Finding the source

    Tinnitus is linked to overactivity in the auditory cortex, the part of the brain that handles sound.

    Rebalancing the signal

    TMS helps rebalance how those brain cells fire, which can turn down the sound you hear.

    One ear at a time

    Each ear is treated on its own, about 30 minutes per ear.

    Easing the toll

    Living with tinnitus is stressful. As the noise eases, sleep, focus and mood often improve too.

    Why people choose TMS here

    Treatment plans

    Standard TMS

    30 sessions, once a day, Monday to Friday. About 30 minutes for each ear, in blocks of 10 sessions, with a check-in every 2 weeks. Cash pay, or a lien in a personal injury case.

    Accelerated TMS

    25 sessions in 1 week, up to 5 a day. About 30 minutes for each ear, with breaks between sessions. Cash pay, or a lien in a personal injury case.

    Paying for treatment

    Cash, or a lien in a personal injury case

    Insurance doesn’t cover tinnitus treatment at this time.

    We offer payment plans. Financing may also be available through CareCredit, subject to credit approval and the lender’s terms.

    If your tinnitus followed an injury that’s part of a personal injury case, treatment can be paid through a lien once your attorney agrees. Clinical recommendations are based on your needs; a lien changes how treatment is paid for and documented, not the care itself. Care starts with a physician evaluation, then testing and imaging where they help, treatment, a follow-up visit and a before-and-after report.

    The numbers

    A patient’s story

    Ben: Ben was told nothing could be done for his tinnitus. He talks with Dr. Liker on the last day of his treatment.

    Dr. Liker explains: TMS can be used to treat many brain conditions