Hearing Aids?

[Jools7777]

I went to my doctors a few years back when my Tinnitus was getting me down, constant high pitch. I couldn’t get direct help as I fall outside the NHS postal code for referral to an audiologist. I was advised to go private, so eventually I had an hearing test which more or less confirmed some hearing loss, partly because of the Tinnitus and my age. I was advised that hearing aids may be the answer. I plumped for it a few years later, but although it does improve sound, it also increases my tinnitus a little, or I’m more aware of it. I know tinnitus is not what you hear it’s the brain processing the illusion of noise. I believe.

Sometimes I find the hearing aids a hindrance and I have the feeling of fullness in my ears. The fittings are fine and comfortable. I also feel dizzy and nauseous at other times. Perhaps in time it may stabilise, I’ve been trying with aids for the last five months. So perhaps I need to stick at it for a while longer, before I stop wearing them.

[Happyrosie]

it does take a little time to get used to hearing aids, and because your brain is trying to process the difference it is common to feel a bit dizzy at times. If you wear your aids all the time while you are awake this should subside.

You are right in that the brain is trying to compensate with noise, and that noise is tinnitus. The general idea is that when you are wearing your aids the real world is clearer so the phantom world of tinnitus fades a little.

If you haven’t already, have a look at the website of Tinnitus UK, the specialist charity.

[Jools7777 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you Happyrosie, I will persevere with them, they do help in making sound more clear at times. It’s good to know that it just isn’t me that has this experience. Sharing is caring. Thank you again.

[Fridays_Child_62]

I was advised that hearing aids may be the solution to my tinnitus, so I went to a private audiologist. I was found to have mild-to-moderate hearing loss in the high frequencies. The hearing aids were OK sound-wise, although some things sounded very bright and I can't say they really helped my tinnitus. After about a year of wearing them my tinnitus got worse and I had some quite uncomfortable episodes. I stopped wearing the hearing aids as an experiment and the tinnitus became more tolerable but still worse than a year before. I haven't worn them since. So, I don't believe hearing aids are for everyone. I think I had trouble with them because my tinnitus has become very reactive, so reacted to the enhanced high frequencies through the hearing aids. It's probably a good idea for you to persevere with them but at some point perhaps take a break from them to see whether your situation improves.

[Jools7777 in reply to Fridays_Child_62]

Thank you Fridays_Child_62. I will keep trying, I like the idea of a break from hearing aids, but I’ve been advised to keep them in for as much of the day as possible. So short breaks may be good to try. Thank you again.

[KCT9]

There are different types of hearing aids and many that don't make you feel plugged. New tech is making over the ear rechargeables that don't make you feel plugged at all. They help my tinitus which is extreme ringing. Worth looking I to. I stream my audio books to my ear too.

[Jools7777 in reply to KCT9]

Hi KCT9,

Thank you for your message. I have rechargeable hearing aids, which is much better than messing about with tiny batteries and fumbling around with them, with my clumsy fingers. The hearing aids are good, and link in with an app, so I can alter volume, balance and sound direction. I leave them on auto setting normally, but in busy places where there is a lot of voices and background noise I can direct the aids to where I want to hear someone’s conversation, quite effectively. I do use them with music and audiobooks from time to time, but I limit the use, as after a short while I get overloaded with sound and my tinnitus is getting unbearable, if that makes sense and I need a break to settle my hearing. I don’t have the volume on a high setting neither,

The difficulty I have is that after a few hours use, my ears feel full and sound becomes distorted and muffled, like the feeling you can get, while getting over flu or a heavy cold. I have only had them a few months, so maybe it will improve in time. I am persevering with the hearing aids. I just wondered if anyone else had a similar experience. If after a year it doesn’t improve, I will make another appointment with the audiologist and discuss this with them.

Thank you for your reply.

[KCT9]

JoolsYour comment is so true for me too -"ears feel full and sound becomes distorted and muffled ... I need a break to settle my hearing". My hearing aids help but my ears get tired too. Or maybe it's my brain. I have to take them out in the afternoons to let them rest. Grocery stores are the worst for loud humming sounds. My tinitus is everyday all day and loud but I follow a lot of different sites hoping I'll find better solutions.

[Hel_C]

I came across the Tinnitus support group on this site which I hope to go to more meetings as the one I went to was of more help than having my recent ENT appointment.