Eldre Beukes, an audiologist at Lamar University, says that there is a link between increased stress levels and tinnitus, which can either initiate or worsen. The pooled odds ratio was 1.37. Unfortunately, we were only partially capable of filling the gap. A thorough medical history is crucial in diagnosing tinnitus. Tinnitus may then improve or disappear. About 80 percent of hearing loss cases can be treated with hearing aids, but only one in four individuals who could benefit actually use them. Tinnitus, which affects one in five people, is a common problem. It could also be a symptom, or sign, of a medical condition. Your audiologist is available to help you develop a treatment plan. The sound may be soft or loud and may be low or high pitched. But it can indicate an imbalance in your hearing system. It can be caused by changes in many parts of your brain and nervous system.