I am just sat here wondering if I may need a Hearing Aid to help with my T.
When I was first diagnosed with T I went to see an Audiologist at Specsavers, who told me my hearing was OK for 'someone of my age'. Fair enough I thought haha! I then decided to get a second opinion, so I went to see another Audiologist who told me the exact same thing. Fair enough I thought again!
This is where it gets interesting!! When I went to see an ENT Consultant, they did a hearing test and confirmed that I had a very slight high frequency hearing loss in my left ear. Well I'm more than sure this is why I developed T in the first place. Why it wasn't picked up the first 2 times I do not know, but 3rd time lucky! Well, not so lucky!
Anyway, can anyone give me some advice as to whether I should look into getting a Hearing Aid and is it best to see my doctor first to be referred? I'm not sure what is the best route.
I've also just emailed my ENT Consultants Secretary to find out what is happening with the results from my MRI Scan! Still waiting!
Thanks in advance
Written by
MOLKO1972
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There’s quite a bit of info on these lines on the British Tinnitus Association website, but essentially the real world comes into prominence better.
Through your gp is best, in my opinion, as the aids are free as are the batteries to keep them going. The NHS audiologist will give you the best type for you, not on the cheap.
HiWhat I don’t understand with T & hearing aids which I do wear & was wearing when my T started is how come the hearing aids don’t stop the T as isn’t the brain supposed to now use the sound the hearing aids give you & stop searching for the missing sound . If that makes any sense
I woke up today with a high pitched screeching sound in my head & also don’t get why it’s like that so much louder some days than others .
I’m 10 months in now & trying my best to cope but it’s the hardest challenge life has thrown at me so far .
I’m having hypnotherapy now it’s expensive only had 2 sessions so far & won’t be having many more due to cost & can’t really say it’s helped up to now but I will persevere a bit longer .
Laney, no-one ever said the aids would stop the T - they just make the real world more prominent and thus the T is less intrusive. In my experience. Though your explanation has validity. Have a read again of the BTA’s view on this subject, on their website.
Hi MOLKO1972 I think the ENT hearing test is the most thorough. It was in my experience anyway . Twice as long as previous tests. Tinnitus can be - and often is - a result of high frequency hearing loss so it might be worth asking ENT or GP if they can refer you to audiology. ENT referred me directly. Whether you do this via the NHS or privately is up to you. I'm having a long old wait on the NHS. Good Luck 🙂
Very similar situation here. No hearing loss stated but requested copy of audiogram. Mild to moderate hearing loss at higher frequencies in both ears.Ear with tinnitus was slightly better but was the second to be tested so may have anticipated tone. Plus have no base line ie other recent hearing test. So may have lost hearing more suddenly in one ear than the other.
Trigger was noise but had recovered from sore throat, sinuses, left ear about 10 days before seeing band.
Waiting for an ENT appointment but wondering if a Rite hearing aid would help. Not sure if they are available on NHS.
Tbh if offered a hearing aid I would jump at it if I were you. The Rite ones are £3000 plus. They are specific when it comes to frequencies which need to be enhanced.
Felt a bit cheeky asking for a copy of audiogram following a free test. But if you go to the companies main website and click on privacy, usually at bottom of page you can follow instructions to get a copy of records e mailed or posted to you.
Will contact GP and or ENT with copy of audiogram. Bit concerned that brain will adjust before I get an appointment? Not sure of science re plasticity ie adjustment here.
Would brain have filtered out hearing that frequency if left for long? Judging by tinnitus mine is still looking for it.
I can hear up to 10000 hertz online. Test went up to 8000, 61 years old, but decibels have to increase from about 6000. Hearing at 20 decibels below that.
Tried to post screen shot of audiogram but doesn't seem to be working.
Its worth a try with hearing aids , I went to Boots audio care and obviously had to pay for them 2.5k .They had a deal where you use them for 2-3months i think and if you can't get on with them or they make no difference you get the money back and return them . Mine make no difference at all so be prepared for that , they make a difference in about 40% of people with tinnitus . I still wear mine though as i was told they slow down your hearing loss from getting worse over time plus they are bluetooth so i can play sound through them etc . I'm very dubious about the whole process of hearing tests when you already have tinnitus . I said to the audiologist " I have a high pitched tone constantly so how will I hear the beeps at that tone during the hearing test ?" she said "oh well we take that into account " . Didn't say how they can do that . Tinnitus sounds could get in the way of the sounds during the test and you could fail it which then means they tell you you have hearing loss , then tell you it must be caused by hearing damage . Then tell you hearing aids may help and the start at around £2000 . Anyway , try for the money back deal with Boots if they still have it , and remember you can if all else fails train yourself and your brain to live with tinnitus , it takes a long time but i think its the best way forward as opposed to masking the sound . Someone said "you cant control the noise but you can learn to control your reaction to it " This will then bring the volume of it down .
Hi there Molco1972.I had two hearing aids fitted by my local hospital and same as you I have slight hearing loss in my right ear high frequency loss. Severe tinnitus also. I was goven these new hearing aids that have a sound generator built in that will be finely tuned to the exact frequency of your hearing loss after a hearing test. The idea is to match the frequency of your hearing loss and in effect cancel out your tinnitus. I have found them invaluable and i use them daily. It's not a cure but for certain it will give relief. Try and get a referal from your doctor, mention this forum and you will be given a more thorough assessment at the hospital and then you will get new hearing aids.
Hi l was similar experience waited 3 years on ent but decided to go private hidden hearing 4.000 for 2 aids but there worth every penny once you get used to them you wouldn't even no you are wearing them built in ocean waves and white noise helps me to cope with my T and hearing loss.
Just to agree with others, it is definitely worthwhile. My T started 22 years ago. The ENT I saw privately sent me for a private hearing test. It was brief. I didn't see the report, but the ENT said my hearing was OK. I have no reason to think that was inaccurate - I was that much younger.
Six years ago an NHS ENT referred me to our local Audiology Dept, which was absolutely brilliant. The test was long, and extremely thorough. In whatever way is possible, the audiologist did take account of my T. I was given a printout of the result (signed by the lady audiologist, with best wishes), and prescribed one hearing aid (complete with switchable white noise masker), which was fitted by them on the NHS (the masker then tuned to my T) a week later. I was also given two white noise generators, but make little use of them.
For me the HA does help, and it is very useful to be able to switch on the masker from time to time.
Hi MOLKI have a mild to moderate high frequency hearing loss in both ears. I originally had my hearing tested for free at hearing clinic a few years ago. So don’t know how long have had loss. At the time I was managing ok so didn’t ‘need’ hearing aids. My tinnitus (various tones now but started with high frequency tone in left ear) started last July. And since onset of covid etc it has been full wearing of masks (and still is) in my workplace. Whatever induced my tinnitus I have found I have also struggled more with my hearing due to the mask wearing. So I asked GP for referral to NHS audiology for tinnitus and hearing loss. I have now had NHS hearing aids since January. I don’t have Bluetooth and I don’t have masking. It was explained to me that they would help bring in more sound and help keep pathways active in brain. That they wouldn’t stop me hearing my tinnitus but hearing sound I am missing may help to mask. I can still hear my highest frequency tone with my aids in when in a quiet room. But with ongoing habituation and more sound I am less aware during the day. I don’t struggle to hear as much at work - so I have definitely found them to be very beneficial. Hopefully protecting my hearing and my mind. NHS route has been good for me - but my role and work situation may have helped with a speedier pathway. Definitely the cheaper option. I would make sure that you do have a try and return option if you go private. Funnily enough my 70+ year old parents have both been tested recently at private hearing clinic (and I know they have hearing issues) but have been told they don’t need hearing aids?! But there is research ongoing about hearing loss in 40-60 age group and ? any role in cognitive decline so I am hedging my bets just in case……
Hearing aids which are correctly balanced to amplify the appropriate frequencies will not 'cure' tinnitus but will make it less intrusive by bringing a complete range and wealth of sound to you! I have NHS hearing aids (free) and they are fine! Good luck.
Hi! I think you can consider this option of hearing aids just in case. I’d recommend you this hearing aid shop audiologyisland.com/online-... where you can find ones which will be perfect for you and also you can ask for advice some professionals. This site really helped my dad last year, when he had the same problem.
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