I got my new hearing aids yesterday and just thought I would share my experience with them so far. The audiologist I saw couldn't have been nicer and over an hour long session with tests etc, she explained everything I needed to know. I was fitted with what are probably standard NHS BTE aids which don't have any volume adjustment but she added an extra feature which I can use to tone things down a shade. Once they were fitted, everything sounded quite tinny and harsh at first and even my own voice sounded very odd. Once I got out of the hospital, a whole new world of sound just erupted! Everything was amplified a hundred times or so it seemed and I could even hear the collar of my jacket brushing against my neck. The car engine starting up was an experience and rolling down the window sounded like a jet taking off! By the time I got home though, I was beginning to get used to them and kept them in for a few hours. Popped them back in again this morning and I am amazed at how much my tinnitus seems to have diminished. It's still audible to an extent but there's so much noise around now, I am listening to other sounds instead of the usual screeching dentists drill going non stop. I know it's early days and things might change but so far so good and just to get a break from the racket going on in my head is bliss. I go back for a review late March and they will make any adjustments required. In the meantime, I am enjoying this whole new noisy world of sound and if it continues to keep Mr T at bay for a while, I will be more than delighted.
My new world is a noisy place!: I got my new... - Tinnitus UK
My new world is a noisy place!
It is very strange at first isn't it! I have had mine about 4 weeks now just one though. I am a bit disappointed that my tinnitus hasn't reduced yet, but the audiologist said it could take time and they might add a masker when I go back in April to see if this helps also.
Hope yours continues to keep the tinnitus at bay
Hi Neal,
I must have been very fortunate with mine as just after the audiologist fitted them, the tinnitus seemed to fade out quite a bit. It was around level four/five and dropped to around a two almost immediately. It will be interesting to see how effective the aids are on bad days when I have a spike, as that will be the real test. I asked about having a masker added as well and she said there were several options available which could be discussed at my review appointment. Please let me know how you get on with yours as I am new to all this hearing aid malarkey and it's always good to get other peoples opinions. I'llalso keep you in the loop regarding the outcome of my next appointment. Thanks for your reply and I hope you get some relief soon. Best wishes.
Hi Jim,
Thanks for that I'll be very interested to hear how you progress. If you don't mind me asking - do you have tinnitus in both ears? - It's been suggested to me that I should have a hearing aid in both even though I only suffer with tinnitus in one. The audiologist is hoping that correcting hearing loss in my ear will gradually reduce the tinnitus so I intend to stick with the aid to hopefully improve gradually.
Regarding the masker options, I'll be interested to try it but I am wondering if it reduces ones hearing quality - but I guess if the tinnitus is reduced it's worthwhile.
All the best with yours
Neal
Hi Neal,
I have T on both sides but the right side is always much louder. I have age related hearing loss at higher frequencies in both ears and that's how I ended up with two hearing aids. Don't you just get so fed up with all the pallaver tinnitus involves! Hope you're having a good day.
Hi Neal I have some hearing loss in both ears but my T is in my right I have had my hearing aid for about a week haven't been wearing it full time think I need to start doing that I wonder if I should have one for my left ear aswell? Not much difference yet but early days
Hi, When I had mine fitted they suggested a few hours a day first of all and then when I was accustomed to it to use it whenever I could. I am now using it all the time except at night. I haven't found any noticeable difference in the level of my T yet, but other people have noticed I am hearing better!
Like you, I have hearing loss in both ears, but T in one although the hearing loss on the non T side is only slight. Regarding whether 2 hearing aids should be fitted I am going to ask about this when I return for my next appointment.
How are you finding hearing aid use? - I find it rather odd sometimes but I suppose it does take a bit of getting used to.
Good luck with your and I hope your T gradually reduces
best
Neal
Hi tickles sometimes other times irritating, it's quite small which is nice but the cone bit pops out quite easy so sometimes it's just sitting on bottom of my ear. I have longish hair so I need to stop fiddling with it. Am back in a couple of days to check how it's working out, I will also ask about having two. Thanks for reply it's so good to talk to people who understand even though my family are great .
I had sudden hearing loss in my right ear in November. This Friday I'm going for a hearing aid fitting. I have relentless tinnitus in the right ear also. So the hearing aid will not work on my right ear, so it will somehow transfer sound from the right side to the left. Has anyone else encountered this and any suggestions for my 1st appointment?
Hi,
I think my situation is the same as yourself except both my hearing loss and tinnitus are on the left. My audiologist recommended using a hearing aid (in the tinnitus ear) as correcting the hearing loss would help to reduce the tinnitus.
The way they explained it was that the tinnitus is probably being caused by the my brain working overtime to process reduced sound signals coming in and therefore if my hearing was improved then gradually so will the tinnitus.
I hope a hearing aid helps you
best
Neal
Thank you for sharing your experience, Jimmuck, and I'm pleased that your hearing aids are making an impact already. I hope this story gives hope and reassurance to others in a similar situation too.
Best wishes
Nic
So pleased for you Jimmuck - yes aren`t hearing aids wonderful things. You don`t realise what you can`t hear until you can hear it all again. And they are helping you cope with your tinnitus as well.
Lynne
My family will be so happy when I can actually hear again. Deaf on right side and very decreased on the left. I have to use headphones at night to watch tv.
Excellent days 
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