Tinnitus is a perception of sound in the absence of any external sound, and it is often described as a ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including exposure to loud noises, earwax buildup, certain medications, and underlying health conditions. It is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and the ringing in the ears can be a frustrating and debilitating condition.
One of the most common causes of tinnitus is hearing loss. When the hair cells in the inner ear are damaged, either by aging or exposure to loud noises, it can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus. The link between hearing loss and tinnitus is thought to be due to the brain's compensatory response to the loss of auditory input. As the brain tries to fill in the missing sound signals, it can lead to the perception of tinnitus.
If you're one of the many people who struggle with tinnitus, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to find relief. While there is no cure for tinnitus, there are some treatment options that can help reduce the severity of your symptoms. One such option is the use of hearing aids.
How can hearing aids help you with tinnitus symptoms?
Hearing aids are small devices that are worn in or behind the ear to amplify sounds. They are most commonly used to help people with hearing loss hear better, but they can also be used to treat tinnitus. How do hearing aids help tinnitus? Let's take a closer look.
One way that hearing aids can help tinnitus is through the use of sound therapy. Many hearing aids have built-in sound therapy programs that use a variety of sounds, such as white noise or nature sounds, to distract the brain from the tinnitus. These sounds can help mask the tinnitus and make it less noticeable, providing some much-needed relief.
Another way that hearing aids can help tinnitus is through auditory stimulation. By providing a constant stream of sounds, hearing aids can help the brain focus on something other than the tinnitus. This can help reduce the severity of the tinnitus and make it more manageable.
Finally, hearing aids can also help tinnitus by improving communication. When you can hear better, you can communicate more effectively, which can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Tinnitus can be a stressful and isolating condition, and anything that helps you feel more connected and engaged with the world around you can be beneficial.
Here are some of the tinnitus solutions offered by some of our latest hearing aids.Â
Phonak Lumity
The Tinnitus Balance feature in the Phonak Lumity hearing aid combines treatment for both hearing loss and tinnitus into one device. This feature offers customizable sound options for tinnitus treatment and is programmable by audiologists. It also has compatibility with Bluetooth audio devices for streaming tinnitus masking sounds, allowing for a convenient and discreet way to receive sound therapy.Â
Many tinnitus patients also have hearing loss, so combining the treatment of these conditions into one device can be convenient and effective. Amplifying sounds for hearing loss can help mask tinnitus sounds, and Phonak aims to retrain the brain to perceive tinnitus as harmless background noise through the use of Tinnitus Balance.Â
Oticon MoreÂ
The Oticon More Hearing Aid comes equipped with tinnitus support which enables users to customize the sounds they hear through the ON app, available for both iPhone and Android. With this app, users can choose from a variety of sounds, including white noise and the ocean, or even stream their own audio options like music, audiobooks, podcasts, and relaxation guides.Â
Resound Omnia
The Omnia is compatible with the ReSound Relief app, a discreet and easy-to-use tool for managing tinnitus symptoms, no matter how you hear or experience them. It provides a range of therapeutic options including sound therapy, relaxation exercises, meditation, and guidance to help you focus on the sounds that matter.Â
The app also lets you create your own soundscapes by layering up to five sounds, including environmental sounds and small pieces of music. With the ReSound Relief app and a Bluetooth wireless speaker headset, you can access tinnitus relief on your smartphone or tablet no matter where you’re experiencing tinnitus symptoms.
If you're considering using hearing aids to help with your tinnitus, it's important to talk to a hearing healthcare professional, like us at Advanced Hearing & Balance Specialists! We can help you determine whether hearing aids are the right treatment option for you and can help you find the best hearing aids for your needs. We can also provide you with support and guidance as you learn to use and adjust to your new hearing aids. Contact us today to set up an appointment.
