Hearing Aids for Tinnitus

Hearing aids are successful at managing tinnitus, which is often due to the presence of a hearing loss. It is estimated that 80% of people with hearing loss have tinnitus.

If we manage the hearing loss we are able to shift the focus away from the tinnitus and get the brain to focus on other sounds. This process is called habituation. The longer the brain is focused on hearing other sounds better, the less attention the brain pays to the tinnitus and eventually the tinnitus goes away into the background.

Open-fit Digital Hearing Aids

Open-fit digital hearing aids can help with tinnitus management by compensating for a person’s hearing loss as well as masking the uncomfortable noises affecting patients with tinnitus.

Often individuals with a high frequency hearing loss suffer from Tinnitus. Open fit hearing aids allow for the amplification of the higher frequencies primarily and in doing so literally 'fill in the gaps' of the frequency range where the hearing is impaired. The auditory system therefore does not have to compensate for the hearing loss which results in persistent tinnitus. Hearing aids are a successful method for treating tinnitus associated with hearing loss.

By providing amplification in the affected frequency range, the individual is often far less aware of the presence of tinnitus and at the same time the hearing is improved for high frequency sounds, therefore serving a dual purpose.

Lyric Invisible Hearing Aids

Lyric has proven to be very successful with tinnitus management. The reason for this is the fact that Lyric provides continuous 24/7 amplification thereby providing continuous relief and habituation for individuals suffering from tinnitus due to hearing loss.

Avoid Silence

Tinnitus is exacerbated by silence.

Most tinnitus is first heard at night, or in a quiet room. Persistence of tinnitus depends not only on the meaning attached to it, but also to the contrast it creates with the auditory environment. For example, a small candle in the corner of a large, darkened room seems to be dazzlingly bright, until the room lights are switched on making it virtually invisible.

Everyone, especially tinnitus patients should avoid extreme silence, and retraining programs will always use sound enrichment. Make sure there is always a pleasant, non-intrusive background sound (like a large slow fan, or an open window, or a device generating nature sounds).

Choosing what sound is right for you may take some time. Nature sounds are always best, as they are already habituated, and usually produce feelings of relaxation, calm and well-being.