Tinnitus and Hearing Exams

I was told by ENTs that I have mild high frequency hearing loss and that is the cause of my tinnitus.

How do doctors know that hearing loss is causing my tinnitus vs tinnitus causing my hearing loss?

Is it possible that I cannot hear some sounds during a hearing exam because they are being drowned out by tinnitus as opposed to actual cochlear hair damage?

I feel like I'm asking a confusing question but I don't know how else to put it.

Thanks!

 

http://www.hearingloss.org/content/types-causes-and-treatment Read second the underlying causes

https://www.hear-it.org/Close-relationship-between-Tinnitus-and-Hearing-loss This answers your last question

http://www.tinnitus123.com/does-tinnitus-cause-hearing-loss/ Read this first