Tinnitus, a symptom affecting more than 50 million people in the United States, causes a frustrating ringing, buzzing or hissing sound in your ears. Sometimes, it’s fleeting and lasts just a few moments, but for others, tinnitus is chronic, sticking around for three months or longer.
Chronic tinnitus can take a toll on your emotional and mental well-being. Sleepless nights, constant distractions and communication struggles can add up, leading to stress, anxiety or even depression. Taking steps to minimize these symptoms can improve your quality of life significantly.
While there’s no known cure for tinnitus, hearing aids are one effective way to reduce its impact. Let’s explore how they work and why they might be worth considering.
How Hearing Aids Help With Tinnitus
There are two main ways hearing aids help manage tinnitus:
- Sound masking. Some hearing aids have sound masking features that help manage tinnitus. This technique introduces gentle, external sounds to take the spotlight away from the internal ringing or buzzing. By giving your brain something else to focus on, sound masking can make tinnitus feel less intrusive. Common sounds include white noise, pink noise, brown noise and nature sounds like running water or rain. If your hearing aids don’t have built-in sound masking, pairing them with a smartphone app or video designed for tinnitus relief can be a simple workaround.
- Boosting auditory stimulation. An estimated 90% of people with tinnitus also have some degree of hearing loss. Researchers believe this connection stems from how the brain processes sound when it isn’t getting enough input. When the auditory system goes quiet, the brain might try to fill the gaps with its own sounds, leading to tinnitus. Hearing aids combat this by amplifying external sounds, from conversations to the rustling of leaves in Katy Park. This additional stimulation helps the brain stay engaged with real-world noises and reduces its tendency to create phantom sounds.
Finding the Right Relief
Tinnitus is unique to each person, so what works for one might not work for another. If you already use hearing aids, check if they include a tinnitus masking feature. Experiment with it during times when tinnitus is particularly bothersome. If your current devices don’t offer masking or the amplification alone isn’t enough, it might be time to explore alternative options or updated technology.
If tinnitus is interfering with your daily life, you don’t have to face it alone. Connect with Today’s Hearing to discuss your options with a hearing specialist.