Hearing Aids for Tinnitus

If you have tinnitus, then you know how difficult it is to live with. The constant ringing in your ears can make it very hard to concentrate on anything else.

In the past, hearing aids have been a popular solution because they offer amplification of sound which can be helpful in many cases. With the developments in technology, hearing aids for tinnitus are also made available to provide relief and comfort to tinnitus patients.

Having a tinnitus can be a debilitating condition that makes it difficult to live with. There are many coping strategies, but hearing aids may provide relief for some patients by providing amplification of sound and other features.

Tinnitus and Hearing Loss

The most common cause of tinnitus is prolonged exposure to loud sounds. In fact, up to 90% of patients with tinnitus have some level of noise-induced hearing loss.

Loud noises can cause permanent damage to the hair cells within the cochlea. The cochlea is a small, snail-shaped organ in the inner ear that converts sound waves into nerve signals your brain understands.

Tinnitus Maskers

Hearing aids for tinnitus can provide relief for some patients suffering from ringing in the ears. With continuous developments in technology, hearing aids are now available to provide relief and comfort to tinnitus patients.

One type of these innovations is called a “tinnitus masker.” A tinnitus masker is a hearing aid that delivers sounds to the ear, which can provide relief from ringing in the ears.

A recent study showed that after six months of treatment with a tinnitus masker, patients felt an average of 25% better than before they started wearing it. Using this type of device may improve quality-of-life and decrease symptoms for individuals who have tinnitus.

Hearing Aids Can Help With Tinnitus

Tinnitus might be the only sound that someone hears, which can become a problem when trying to sleep or concentrate. With hearing aids and other devices like maskers, it is possible to lessen this effect so that a person can live life normally with tinnitus instead of being distracted or feeling overwhelmed by it.

Hearing aids can also work as secondary noise generators. These are used by many tinnitus sufferers to help cover up persistent noises and bring some peace and quiet back into their lives. This technique uses white noise or other types of soothing sound waves to lessen those troublesome noises brought about by tinnitus.

Treatment for Tinnitus Sufferers

There are two types of treatment for people with severe tinnitus symptoms.

Popular treatments for tinnitus include various therapies such as sound therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and counselling. For severe tinnitus symptoms, doctors may explore more invasive methods including surgery  and medication. Treatment will depend largely on severity of symptoms but may include both approaches in combination.

There are many treatment options for tinnitus sufferers but they all work differently. Speak to your audiologist about which one would be best for you. Audiologists will recommend the best treatment for tinnitus based on test results and diagnosis.