Most estimates put the amount of people affected by tinnitus in the millions or around one in every seven people. In some countries, the numbers are even higher and that’s pretty startling.
Sometimes tinnitus is goes away on it’s own. But if you’re coping with chronic tinnitus symptoms it becomes crucial to find a treatment as soon as possible. Luckily, there is a treatment that has proven to be quite effective: hearing aids.
There are some connections between hearing loss and tinnitus but they are actually distinct conditions. you can have hearing loss without tinnitus or tinnitus without hearing loss. But if you are experiencing the two conditions simultaneously, which is fairly common, hearing aids can treat both at the same time.
How Hearing Aids Can Treat Tinnitus
Hearing aids have, according to one survey, been documented to give tinnitus relief to up to 60% of participants. Approximately 22% of those surveyed went so far as to report considerable relief. But, hearing aids are not designed specifically to treat tinnitus. Association seems to be the main reason for this benefit. So if you have tinnitus along with hearing loss then that’s when your hearing aids will most successfully treat the tinnitus symptoms.
Here’s how hearing aids can help stop tinnitus symptoms:
- Everything gets a little bit louder: The volume of certain frequencies of the world become quieter when have hearing loss. The ringing in your ears, then, is a lot more obvious. It’s the loudest thing you’re hearing because it is not decreased by your hearing loss. A hearing aid can increase that ambient sound, helping to mask the buzzing or ringing that was so prominent before. Tinnitus becomes less of a problem as you pay less attention to it.
- Conversations become easier: Modern hearing aids are particularly good at identifying human speech and raising the volume of those sounds. This means carrying on a conversation can become much easier once you’re regularly using your devices. You can keep up with the story Carl is telling at the restaurant or listen to what Sally is excited about at work. When you have a balanced interactive social life tinnitus can appear to fade into the background. Socializing also helps decrease stress, which is associated with tinnitus.
- Your brain is getting an auditory workout: Hearing loss has been shown to put stress on cognitive function. Tinnitus symptoms you may be experiencing can be decreased when the brain is in a healthy pliable condition and hearing aids can help maintain this.
The Benefits of Modern Hearing Aids
Modern hearing aids are smart. They come with cutting edge hearing assistance algorithms and the newest technology. But the effectiveness of modern hearing aids is attained in part because each device can be customized and calibrated on a patient-by-patient basis (sometimes, they recalibrate based on the level of background noise).
Whatever your particular hearing levels are, personalized hearing aids can effortlessly be calibrated to them. The better your hearings aid works for you, the more likely they are to help you drown out the buzzing or humming from tinnitus.
What is The Best Way to End Tinnitus?
This will most likely depend on your degree of hearing impairment. There are still treatment options for your tinnitus even if you don’t have any hearing impairment. Cognitive behavioral therapy, a custom masking device, or medication are some possible solutions.
However, hearing aids may be able to take care of both situations if you have tinnitus and hearing loss at the same time. Managing your hearing loss with a good pair of hearing aids can often stop tinnitus from making your life difficult.