Hearing Aids with inbuilt masking sounds

[Giraffe70]

My NHS Area Tinnitus Specialist rejects the use of masking sound hearing aids. Some report that they can worsen your Tinnitus long term. Has anyone else heard of this theory?

[HissingSid]

I have an appointment next week with my NHS audiologist so I’ll ask her and get opinions from that. Given it was her that issued me with hearing aids fitted with masking sounds then I doubt if she will talk negatively about them. So far I’ve had positive results with them over the past 2 months as the number of spike days have decreased.

[NicBTA Partner]

I haven't heard that Giraffe70. Our Head of Research, Magdalena Sereda is doing several pieces of work around combination devices, and there should be some published results soon in terms of evaluation.

Dr Grant Searchfield reviewed the latest literature on the topic for us for our Annual Tinnitus Research Review, which you - and your audiologist! - can read here tinnitus.org.uk/atrr-2017-h... The takeaway seems to be that these devices do help rather than harm...

I hope this is useful

Nic (BTA Communications Manager and Forum Administrator)

[Giraffe70 in reply to NicBTA]

Hello

Thanks for all your replies.

Dr Searchfield’s review is a bit heavy for me to clearly take in all points but I think it is saying there is no evidence to suggest at the date of this report 2016 that use of combination devices, I take it that refers to those fitted with a Tinnitus masking sound, should worsen Tinnitus. Does his final sentence as follows however leave their issue open to interpretation?

‘My “take home” message from reviewing 2016’s publications on hearing aids and combination devices for tinnitus is that we need to carefully consider each patient’s cognitive, emotional and perceptual needs in selecting sound therapy’

Where this leaves me and my wish to be issued with a combination hearing aid by the NHS I do not know. I have had Tinnitus for many years and although managing it as we all end up doing I know sound therapy provides the best means of relief and if inbuilt into hearing aids, the simplest way of administering.

[NicBTA Partner in reply to Giraffe70]

Dr Searchfield's comment "we need to carefully consider each patient’s cognitive, emotional and perceptual needs in selecting sound therapy" is probably your friend here. You believe in sound therapy, you think using a hearing aid with sounds built in will help, and so you will be motivated to use it. Which means it has the best chance of helping you.

There is some work being done about guidance for clinicians in using hearing aids for managing tinnitus, this should also help as the clinician's personal opinions can then be shown to be just that!

Best wishes

Nic

[Giraffe70]

Thanks Nic I will try your suggested angle on the Dr’s report comments on my NHS contact. In the meantime I am using an App call Whist for my sound therapy which although a bit awkward it can be adjusted with patience for personal masking. Thinking on about the NHS it would be useful to me and maybe others if you could provide information through your contacts on the local NHS trusts who do readily supply Hearing aids with masking sounds built in for Tinnitus sufferers?Many Thanks