Hearing aid

[2755]

Hi , has anyone had an hearing aid to help with tinnitus?

[Happyrosie]

Lots of posts about this. Put Hearing Aids into search box on this site to find them

I found HA helpful in that the real world is louder therefore the unreal world of T is less prominent

[doglover1973]

Hi 2755 HA's are helpful if you have hearing loss & tinnitus. Simply because HA's help you to hear better and - as Happyrosie says - real sounds dilute phantom sounds. They're not a cure in any sense of the word but they may help you to habituate long term .

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi there

Hearing aids are regularly used to help people manage their tinnitus as our guide suggests: tinnitus.org.uk/hearing-aid...

The jury's out on whether they work as effectively for everyone, but it seems reasonably agreed that if your tinnitus relates to a degree of hearing loss, that treating the underlying health issue can have a marked improvement on how much of a problem tinnitus is.

Everyone's experience differs and things like the acceptance (or not) that hearing loss is present can make it more complicated to see a benefit.

[notdodgy in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

I was told my hearing was normal for my age and would not need aids, but I have them to boost the higher frequencies, so I can hear voices better over the tinnitus.Things like the car seat belt warning became much more annoying.

Subsequently changed for some with a White noise generator.

[rabbits65]

I was told by an audiologist that because I have no hearing loss that I do not need hearing aids .

[doglover1973 in reply to rabbits65]

That was very honest of him Penny. He could've sold you HA's regardless. It's big business. I bought HA's in January but they’re not amazing. Hoping for some advice when I go to Audiology. How are you? Not a very nice morning for dog walking 🐶

[rabbits65 in reply to doglover1973]

Nice to hear from you , yes it’s a bad doggie walking day but I will still have to take them out. I hear such a lot about people with tinnitus using hearing aids , but I don’t need my hearing amplified , however it does make me wonder sometimes what it might be like. I’ve come to the conclusion that this tinnitus has now become a part of my life , I had hoped it would subside , but it’s ingrained in my head it feels like for good . I suppose I’ve got to make friends with it !!!! Like Julian Cowan said in his book title. Tyrant to Friend. Anyway I have the radio on . Lucky I suppose that we can hear it must be awful to be completely deaf . What will you do with yourself today ? 🐶 🐩 🐩

[doglover1973 in reply to rabbits65]

Just strolled down to the park while the sun was out. Goldie doesn't like getting wet. I agree. We just have to make friends with T don't we .. Not easy but I think it gets gradually easier with every day. The radio is a blessing - with all the digital channels. Lots to listen to. Cd's of natural sounds too for later in the day. Hope you didn't get wet!!!

[rabbits65 in reply to doglover1973]

Yes we did get wet but I’m always pleased that I make the effort to go out with Teddy and Lulu . Exercise for the arthritis and good therapy for the tinnitus 😊

[purenostalgia]

2755 Hi!My Tinnitus suddenly increased in volume in March this year, As I live on my own and can go for days without seeing anyone I was desperate. for 2 nights I just sat on the side of the bed. our doctors were not seeing patients at the surgery if emergency you were told to go to A & E.

I finally convinced the receptionist and the doctor that I could not go on like this and was fast tracked to ENT.

I was advised to try a pair of hearing aids as my high frequency hearing was poor.

Sorry to go on but to answer your question, I find that the aids have been a great help, when I take them out at bedtime I notice a difference, I am tempted to keep them in.

A tip my Audiologist gave me, as you live in the UK your hearing aids are supplied free on the NHS, unless you have plenty of money or very vain, there is no need to pay fancy prices that high street shops will try to sell you.

Mine are not the in ear type but the ones that fit behind your ear with a small tube that fits in your ear, I find them very comfortable,

Take care

Mike

[rabbits65 in reply to purenostalgia]

Interesting , but do you have any hearing loss at all ? My hearing is extremely good so can’t see any point in amplifying my ears.

[purenostalgia in reply to rabbits65]

I agree Rabbit, if your hearing is good I see no reason for aids, My general hearing is 70% but in the high frequency range about 20% hence the hearing aids boost the high frequency range. I also have a white noise programmed in which I can turn on or off.

[rabbits65 in reply to purenostalgia]

Thanks for replying . I don’t know my percentage though .

[doglover1973 in reply to rabbits65]

If you go for a hearing test - somewhere like Specsavers - they'll be able to tell you whether any hearing loss is mild, moderate, severe or profound across the frequencies.

[rabbits65 in reply to doglover1973]

Thank you . All I was told from the Audiologist at ENT last year was “ you have got perfect hearing”. This was good news but of course the severe tinnitus didn’t come into the equation . Thanks though

[doglover1973 in reply to purenostalgia]

How are you sleeping at the moment Mike? Any better?

[purenostalgia in reply to doglover1973]

Yes thank you, I go to bed after midnight and most nights takes about half an hour to drop off to sleep with some kind of audio on my phone which is under my pillow.

There have be odd nights when I have woke up at about 2.30am (Not Nice) sleep has then been a hit and miss affair.

[doglover1973 in reply to purenostalgia]

It does get easier Mike. It took me about a year to return to normal sleep patterns. A little apprehensive now the clocks have changed . We'll see.

[Woodentop99]

Morning, just checking if you understand about h/a which are used in T, mine( issued by nhs) have x4 settings, first one is simply volume control for hearing, I don’t need that one,, Howe the other x3 are “maskers” which give out a noise to help with your T, these are the settings I use and for me, sadly not everyone they are a life saver, doesn’t rid me of T but lessens it greatly, I have permission to sleep in them, saving me the burden of “ sleeping pills” which I would 100% need otherwise, no cure but a massive assist.

[2755 in reply to Woodentop99]

Morning that’s really helpful thank you ! I’m going for my fitting next week 👍. Sleep is a huge problem so the relief will be welcomed ! 😩🙄

[bantams]

Hi 2755,I only have moderate hearing loss with my Tinnitus but my hearing aids really do help when I am in a quiet situation using masking sounds. I normally do not wear them when out and about or being busy doing things.

As other people have said what suits one person, it`s not the same for everyone.

[Mags1417]

Hi 2755

I have a mild to moderate high frequency loss. I am going to try hearing aids - being fitted in December - NHS. I am generally ok hearing wise but have found it more tricky at times as since first lockdown etc we have to wear a mask all day everyday at work. I have high frequency tinnitus sounds. My main sound is in left ear. But I have also since then developed another 2 - different tones which I hear mainly at night or if very quiet. I also have a tone in my right ear - but again I mainly hear if very quiet or at night or ear blocked. There has been recent research about hearing loss and cognitive decline. Seems not sure whether could be symptom or cause. So am going with preserving my hearing and mind!! Bringing in missing frequencies may also help my tinnitus. My main sound is just beginning to settle back to a more manageable level following my covid booster. I’m also hoping that they might help reduce more sounds appearing or the quieter ones getting louder but I don’t know if that is just a hope! So am going to give them a go and see.

[HissingSid]

I have hearing aids fitted with masking sound and these are helpful.