Check out the ‘Guide to Hearing Aids for Tinnitus’ Over 50 million people in the United States suffer from tinnitus, according to the American Tinnitus Association. It is a sign of an issue with the auditory system and is commonly referred to as ringing in the ears.
90% of those who experience tinnitus also experience hearing loss, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America.
Guide to Hearing Aids for Tinnitus
- Best invisible hearing aids:Â Phonak Lyric
- Best caregiver tools:Â Starkey Livio Edge AI
- Best for listening to music:Â Oticon More
- Best ready-to-wear hearing aids: Signia Silk X
- Best for all environments:Â ReSound ONE
Tinnitus is not purely psychological. The severity of this very real ailment can drastically lower a person’s quality of life. While there is no known cure for the majority of tinnitus types, there are therapies to lessen the symptoms and aid in daily life, such as hearing aids.
We’ll review some of the top tinnitus hearing aids and describe how they function in this roundup.
Can hearing aids help tinnitus?
Clinical proof According to a dependable source, wearing hearing aids has a number of advantages for those who experience tinnitus.
- Enhance overall hearing: Hearing aids help wearers focus less on inner sounds brought on by tinnitus by enhancing the quality of external sound.
- Maintain sensory perception and linguistic comprehension: Hearing aids lessen auditory deprivation by restoring the sound to the listener. The capacity to process language might benefit from this as well.
- tinnitus noises that can be grating are muted: By playing white noise or other calming noises in the ear, certain hearing aids help people with tinnitus. Tinnitus masking is the term for this tactic. Hearing aids may come with tinnitus-masking sounds. Additionally, they might be programmed via an app linked to the hearing aids.
- Retrain the brain: Habituation is a method that may also be used in hearing aids and other forms of sound therapy. Habituation teaches the brain to reclassify tinnitus noises as unimportant by using external sound and other methods. This makes it simpler to block out tinnitus noises and concentrate on sounds produced by external sources.
Despite the fact that there is no known cure for tinnitus, medical interventions and various tinnitus treatments can assist to reduce symptoms. Some of these, such as talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are intended to lessen anxiety and sadness (CBT). Additionally helpful are medications for the treatment of sadness and anxiety.
The removal of earwax, avoiding ototoxic medicines (those that might cause tinnitus), and restricting alcohol, caffeine, and smoking are some additional treatments that may be effective.
The connection between tinnitus and hearing loss
Tinnitus may be brought on by hearing loss. Hearing loss reduces the amount of external sound that reaches your brain. The brain experiences neuroplastic changes as a result, which have an impact on how it interprets various sound frequencies.
Tinnitus sounds may have the same frequency as external sounds that some hearing-impaired people have trouble hearing. For instance, tinnitus noises may seem high-pitched if you have problems hearing high-frequency sounds.
The listener loses access to outside sound due to hearing loss. This may enhance certain tinnitus-related noises, including:
- ringing
- buzzing
- clicking
- whistling
- roaring
Communication might be more difficult when tinnitus and hearing loss are present.
How we chose hearing aids for tinnitus
- Customer feedback and brand reputation:Â The hearing aids on this list come from established, trusted hearing aid manufacturers that get good online reviews for customer service and quality.
- FDA registration:Â Each hearing aid is registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a medical device.
- Technology:Â They all use a specific and targeted strategy for providing tinnitus relief.
- Battery use:Â We included devices that are rechargeable as well as those that use disposable batteries.
- Hearing aid types:Â They come in a variety of styles, including behind the ear and in the ear.
How much can hearing aids for tinnitus cost?
All hearing aids, even those that help with tinnitus, can be pricey. Your provider could not cover hearing aids if you don’t have a special insurance plan that does.
The hearing aids on this list are all priced in a pair. We’ve indicated the cost as follows:
- $ = $2,000–$5,000
- $$Â = over $5,000
By provider, these prices could change. You might be able to pay for your hearing aids over time in some circumstances. Additionally, you might be able to use money from a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to pay for hearing aids (FSA).
Top picks for hearing aids with tinnitus features
- Best invisible hearing aids: Phonak Lyric
- Best caregiver tools: Starkey Livio Edge AI
- Best for listening to music: Oticon More
- Best ready-to-wear hearing aids: Signia Silk X
- Best for all environments: ReSound ONE
Some FAQs On Guide to Hearing Aids for Tinnitus
Do I need to visit my doctor for a hearing aid?
It varies. Without a prescription, some hearing aids are sold over the counter or online.
If you’re new to using hearing aids, it might be beneficial to consult with a hearing specialist, such as an audiologist, to ascertain the degree and nature of your hearing loss. The best hearing aids for you can then be chosen, whether they are prescription or over-the-counter.
How much better will I hear?
Although hearing aids cannot reverse hearing loss, for the majority of users, they greatly improve hearing. The outcomes will depend on your level of hearing loss, as well as the fit and functionality of your hearing aids.
Should I get a hearing aid?
Hearing aids can dramatically enhance your quality of life if you suffer hearing loss. Hearing loss has been associated with dementia, particularly in adults aged 45 to 64, according to Trusted Source. You might find it difficult to engage in social and educational activities if you have hearing loss.
Keep in mind that more and more affordable hearing aids are entering the market if the price is a concern.
