How Hearing Aids Can Help Tinnitus

Man in white coat holding hearing aid; can hearing aids help tinnitus concept

Hearing aids can reduce the noise of tinnitus; they don't cure the condition.

If you've got hearing loss that is genetic or caused by damage to the inner ear, your brain is basically trying to fill the sound gap. It comes up with those noises we all associate with tinnitus. The more profound your hearing loss, the louder your tinnitus can be.

Hearing aids help by expanding your audiological range, so that your brain doesn't have to compensate so much.

There are other ways in which hearing aids can help with tinnitus:

Amplification and Sound Enrichment

Hearing aids can provide relief for tinnitus by amplifying external sounds, diverting attention away from the internal tinnitus sounds. By improving overall hearing, hearing aids can make environmental sounds, such as conversations, music, or nature sounds, more audible and enjoyable. This amplification helps mask or drown out the tinnitus, making it less noticeable and bothersome.

Customized Sound Therapy

Many modern hearing aids come equipped with built-in sound therapy features specifically designed for tinnitus management. These features include pre-programmed soothing sounds, such as white noise, ocean waves, or gentle music, that can be played through the hearing aids. By incorporating these calming sounds into daily routines, you can find relief and minimize the impact of tinnitus on your quality of life.

Personalized Tinnitus Masking

In addition to amplification and sound therapy, some hearing aids offer personalized tinnitus masking. This feature allows the audiologist to tailor the hearing aid settings to match the specific frequency and intensity of your tinnitus. By generating a low-level sound that matches the tinnitus pitch, the hearing aid can help "mask" or partially cover up the internal sound, making it less noticeable.

Improved Communication

Hearing aids not only enhance external sounds but also improve speech comprehension. Difficulties in hearing and understanding speech can increase stress and anxiety, exacerbating tinnitus symptoms. By amplifying speech sounds and reducing background noise, hearing aids can help you actively engage in conversations, reducing your overall mental strain and helping you cope better with tinnitus.

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Comments

Can Allergies Cause Tinnitus?

The short answer is: Yes, allergies can cause tinnitus. Hearing loss, too. Allergy-related tinnitus is typically due to the congestion that allergies cause. Anything from allergic rhinitis (hay fever) to sinus infections increases the risk of developing tinnitus. Basically anything that affects the nasal and sinus passages can lead to tinnitus. That's because when allergies affect the nasal passages and sinuses, they can cause inflammation and swelling, leading to congestion and pressure changes in the ear. This pressure change can lead to tinnitus. Allergy meds can be a problem too Tinnitus can also be a side effect of certain medications used to treat allergies, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin. These medications can potentially cause tinnitus as a side effect, especially when taken in high doses. Other causes of tinnitus In addition to allergies, there are several other causes of tinnitus. In some cases, tinnitus can be a symptom of an u...

Medications Can Worsen Tinnitus Symptoms

Some common medications can actually heighten the ringing and whistling noises in your head and ears. Tinnitus sufferers have found this out to their dismay, and warn others to be wary of large dosages (in excess of 600 mg) of Ibuprofen, for instance, and even to be careful when taking aspirin. In fact, there are people who insist that certain medications don't just make the condition worse, but can actually cause tinnitus. If you have tinnitus and are also taking antibiotics or other medications (even over-the-counter meds) for any medical condition -- running the gamut from arthritis to clinical depression (Prozac's frequently cited) -- let your doctor know. You should also monitor yourself with a daily record of medicines taken and tinnitus levels. You might be surprised to learn that some items known to worsen tinnitus include toothpastes (especially for sensitive gums), antacid tablets, Pepto Bismol, Kaopectate and Pepcid. Click here for a comprehensive list ...

Try Saline When Your Hearing Is Muffled After Loud Noise Exposure

If you've got temporary hearing loss or tinnitus after being at a loud concert or sports event, you may be able to fix it -- if you act fast. A 2021 Keck Medicine of USC study published in Science Daily has found that the nerve damage to the inner ear caused by loud noises is basically a build up of fluids. Treating that "fluid buildup with a readily available saline solution lessened nerve damage in the inner ear." A previous study by the same otolaryngologist showed that inner ear fluid level is not affected until noises reach 100 decibels, which is how loud a motorcycle is. "When researchers applied hypertonic saline, a salt-based solution used to treat nasal congestions in humans, into affected ears one hour after the noise exposure, both the immediate fluid buildup and the long-term nerve damage lessened, implying that the hearing loss could be at least partially prevented." The benefits of this knowledge are twofold: 1. If fluid buildup can be measured, ...

Tinnitus Help - Stop the Ringing in Your Ears

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