Hi everyone. I've had tinnitus for several years (at least 6). It's constant (ringing) and whilst I can ignore it when I'm busy, it often wears me down. Stress is an issue for me, due to my mother's Alzheimer's and having to spend a lot of time supporting her, without much let-up. I suffered deafness when I had Covid in 2020 and my hearing has never completely returned to normal. Audiologists have advised that having hearing aids fitted is likely to help by improving my hearing and masking the tinnitus to some degree. I am dubious, as I fear they may simply create other issues. My mother never fully adapted to hearing aids and the amplification of background noise makes her agitated (this was the case before the onset of Alzheimer's). However, I feel I ought to follow advice and give hearing aids a try before I get much older (I'm 67). I'm interested to know what other people's experiences have been with using hearing aids. Thanks!
New here - interested in other people's experi... - Tinnitus UK
New here - interested in other people's experiences with tinnitus
Hello,
Obviously I can't speak usefully about your personal circumstances as a care giver, but I can say that in my case aids do help. By no means are they a magic bullet, but I have found them very helpful for the past 8 years that I have had them. Do ask for a pair with a masker - they are easily turned on and off. Restaurants and similar noisy environments mine do amplify bit, but I can turn them down or off - I certainly would not let that drawback prevent me from using them.
Best wishes.
Thank you. That's very helpful. I think it's fear of the unknown that's causing my concerns, but I've come to the conclusion that I need to be open minded and give hearing aids a try. If the positives outweigh the negatives I'll be happy. A masker is a priority for me I think. 😊
You are welcome.
We are all different of course, but to give an example. In common with many others, my T tends to be very bad when I wake, - in fact it usually wakes me. These days I get up, wash and shave. My electric razor is quite loud, which gives my T it's first competition of the day. Before making breakfast (my wife gets hers early and in bed - a T bonus for her), I pop the aids in and often switch the masker on. The point (for me) about the masker is not just that it masks, but that I have control over that sound, rather than the ungovernable T. I have a feeling that this is often the main benefit of a masker for many of us. On a busy morning, with things to think about and other ambient sounds, I find that I can switch off the masker an hour or so later, and the T is in the background rather than dominating.
Hi,
I have T in my left ear only and a HA in that ear. I've had the T longer than the HA and I find it helps very much. If on a non work day, for example, I am not going out and don't put the HA in the T progressively gets worse during the day. If I am working at home I have the radio on as background noise but if at the office, which is a busier and noisier environment, I do not experience the T so much. In short, I can manage without the HA for limited periods of time but I'd rather wear it than not.
I too suffered hearing loss and T as a result of Covid. Audiologist suggested a hearing aid (only suffer in one ear). It was a game changer for me. The aid doesn't necessarily fully address the hearing loss. But it does increase the volume so that I am no longer focused on the constant buzzing of T. By all means give hearing aids a try.
Hello and welcome to.
My T hit me exactly 10 years ago this month.
April 2015.
I have to wear hearing aids (HA) just to cope.
My tinnitus (T) is a loud constant jet engine that is all becoming. It’s everywhere all the time.
For me my HAs take a small percentage off the overall miserable experience. I’m lost without them but literally extremely dislike wearing them.
I’m not sure what else to say.
Rest, stress and sleep are key to maintaining balance. Stress and tiredness are my constant enemies.
Hopefully, you can do better than I’ve done on your journey with this terrible thing.
Be kind to yourself.
Take care G
Sorry I think I could do better so I might try and pick myself up from this huge depression slump and rewrite this awful reply with a more positive spin.
Thank you for your reply.
As awful as T is, it's actually comforting to know I'm not alone with it, as it can be very isolating at times. I've known people in the past who had T (including my mother, who now believes there's an orchestra nearby and no longer has any concept of T). However, it wasn't until I started experiencing it 24x7 that I realised how debilitating it can be. As you say, stress and tiredness are enemies, yet these are things that are no doubt exacerbated by T, so it's a vicious cycle isn't it? I'm sure we all have good days and bad days. I appreciate you taking time to reply to me and I hope your day improves.
All the best 😊
Hi Blueberry,
I have had Tinnitus for 5 years now and mine sounds similar to yours constant high pitched ringing and I cope fairly well if I keep myself busy. I only have moderate hearing loss but I was given NHS hearing aids to help me cope with my Tinnitus. The hearing aids have 2 masking sounds built in which I can turn on or off when I wish, also they have bluetooth so I have various Tinnitus masking apps downloaded to my phone which i can use. I use these masking sounds when i am not busy or in quiet situations and they do help to take my mind off my Tinnitus. The one thing that I do is not to use my hearing aids if I go to any noises situations like football matches, bars and retaurants, some people say you should use them all the time but I prefer just to use them in quiet situations
Thank you! Yes your tinnitus sounds very much like mine. One of the other members mentioned asking for a masker with the H Aids. It seems like a useful feature. It's interesting that you choose not to wear the aids to noisy situations. This is what has been concerning me, as I attend loud music events several times a year (probably contributed to my T). I currently use musician-type ear plugs to protect my ears and was wondering if it would be OK to continue to do that. I can't see myself wearing HAids in that situation, but I guess I won't know until I start wearing them. I suppose it's a case of doing what works for you rather than rigidly following the advice.
I appreciate you taking time to reply. All the best.
Hi. Have had a hearing aid fitted and it does help a little. My T is sometimes really bad and sometimes bearable. I would give it a try. I would just steer clear of untried medication. Having said that, I am unaware of any medication that really works. Tinnitus is so debilitating.
Good luck Blueberry 46 - I am about to make myself have a hearing test yet feel v unwilling to start hearing aids … watch this space … Veronica (chronic tinnitus for around 6 years plus, I think brought on by a period of great personal stress & anxiety, yet I have broadly habituated).
You could be describing me a few months ago. I eventually forced myself to have the hearing test, which showed my hearing was worse than I'd thought. Then I spoke to an audiologist who specialises in Tinnitus and she did a brilliant job in helping me to look at myself holistically. It still took me two months before plucking up the courage to make an appointment for the H A fitting. It scares me a bit, but I know I need to take that step.
Best of luck. Would be good to share experiences as we proceed on this horrible journey ☺️
I'm of the philosophy that it's better not to even want to avoid the sounds in your own head, after years of trying to do just that. I don't have much hearing loss though and never tried a hearing aid.
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