Can a Hearing Aid Help with Tinnitus?

That ringing in your ears may be more than a little nuisance. Tinnitus (the perception of sound when no actual external noise is present) can be completely debilitating to those who suffer from it. The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that more than 50 million Americans experience some degree of tinnitus.

Studies have shown that tinnitus is more apparent in those that have a hearing loss than those with normal hearing. A recent survey shows that 70-85% of the hard-of-hearing population have reported suffering from tinnitus.

The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) states that hearing aids can be an effective treatment for tinnitus for several reasons.

How a Hearing Aid Can Help with Tinnitus/h2>

Masking the Sound

Hearing aid technology has come a long way in recent years, and one of the standout advancements in that technology is the development of features specifically designed for tinnitus sufferers. Hearing aids can cover or mask the sounds of tinnitus by augmenting the volume of outside noise. This forces the brain to focus on other external noises and not the ringing in the ears.

Secondarily, in the early stages of hearing loss, subtle background noise is the first thing to go, which can leave open space for tinnitus to start. Hearing aids can help restore the ability to hear background noise, which can drown out any ringing you may be experiencing.

Sound Stimulation

When you experience hearing loss, your brain is not receiving or processing as many auditory signals, which can make the brain hyperactive. This hyperactivity within your nerve cells can be mistaken for sound by your brain, which is experienced as tinnitus.

Not only can hearing aids mask the sounds of tinnitus, but by increasing the volume of external noise it also can increase the amount of auditory stimulation the brain receives. For this reason, Beltone provides the Tinnitus Calmer app. Sound therapy combined with hearing aids can be an effective remedy for tinnitus.

Lifestyle Improvements

Anyone with tinnitus can tell you that every aspect of their life is difficult because of this disorder. Having a normal conversation, watching TV, working or even talking on the phone can seem next to impossible. Since hearing aids augment the external volume above the perceived volume of tinnitus, these activities may seem less burdensome and easier to enjoy.

Hearing aids can also remove some of the anxiety and stress that comes with everyday activities that involve your hearing, like attending meetings or talking with family and friends. Tinnitus is often worsened by stress, so avoiding or managing stress is an obvious way to reduce tinnitus.

While hearing aids don’t completely rid patients of tinnitus, they are able to blend the sounds of tinnitus into other background sounds, therefore making life a bit more enjoyable.