Can hearing aids help tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the term used for any noise heard in the ears or head do not come from an outside source. It may sound like a ringing, buzzing, whistling, humming, pulsing and even music. Tinnitus may cause sound to be heard in one ear, two ears or in your head. These sounds may be constant or intermittent.
Approximately 1 in 8 people suffer from tinnitus and it is generally nothing to worry about. Tinnitus affects all age groups and may be caused by colds, a build-up of wax, stress or hearing loss.
For those experiencing tinnitus and hearing loss a hearing aid may help tinnitus. Other management options include sleep management, counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and relaxation training for those who are also suffering with stress.
How do Hearing Aids Help Tinnitus?
Hearing aids help tinnitus by amplifying external sounds to combat hearing loss and make tinnitus less noticeable. Hearing aids may not stop tinnitus but offer a solution to combat symptoms whilst in turn improving quality of sleep and concentration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best hearing aids to help with tinnitus?
Older versions of hearing aids were made with prefixed noise generators which limited their capacity to allow patients to hear white, brown or pink noise all the time.
Modern digital hearing aids offer a more prescribed solution which can be altered to the individuals exact needs.
Can digital hearing aids help tinnitus?
Yes. Digital hearing aids are fitted to a prescription calculated from your hearing test for the best results. Many digital hearing aids can be set so that they optimally adapt automatically to the type of environment you are in at the time.
Can hearing aids make tinnitus worse?
Whilst wearing a hearing aid may not cause tinnitus, an incorrectly fitted hearing aid may cause whistling or feedback which could exacerbate symptoms. Behind the ear hearing aids are usually fitted whereas in ear hearing aids are not usually fitted as part of the NHS service.
Please visit our Tinnitus & Hearing Health page for more information about tinnitus or to request advice.