How Can Hearing Aids Help With Tinnitus?

Hearing Aids, A Proven Treatment For Tinnitus

Tinnitus is more often than not, connected to some level of hearing loss. Although, some people with tinnitus have normal hearing, it is rare enough. Returning the perception of sound to normal levels often provides relief from the internal sound of tinnitus. Hearing aids are a proven treatment option for tinnitus in many cases, in essence, the tinnitus is caused by an underlying hearing loss. Therefore, treating the hearing loss ensures that the perception of tinnitus fades.

Hearing aids and sound therapy

Most of the big hearing aid brands offer some sort of sound therapy as a feature in their hearing aids. Sound therapy can be used in tandem with amplification as part of a treatment plan. More often than not, just the amplification from hearing aids will be enough to reduce the perception of tinnitus. Where that is not the case, we can use the sound therapy feature to overcome the residual tinnitus perception.

Is there proof of a positive effect on tinnitus by using hearing aids?

Yes there has been several studies undertaken into the effects that wearing hearing aids has on the perception of tinnitus. Some of the studies really focused on the effect of hearing aids on every-day life for the tinnitus patient. They were focused mainly on how a hearing aid may help reduce tinnitus and improve the quality of life of the user. Other studies really focused on the impact of hearing aids on the perception of tinnitus.

They strongly suggested that for a large number of people, hearing aids do reduce the effect of tinnitus. They noted though that wearing hearing aids binaurally (one on each ear) was more beneficial than using only one aid.

What hearing aid brands offer tinnitus therapy?

Pretty much all of the major hearing aid brands offer sound therapy as a feature in their hearing aids. The folowing is a list of brands who offer sound therapy:

• Widex
• Phonak
• Resound
• Signia
• Starkey
• Oticon

If you would like to find out more about hearing aids and tinnitus call us on 08 9386 7816 to book an appointment now.