Tinnitus is a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in your ears that no one else can hear. It can happen all the time, or it may come and go. For some people, tinnitus is a mild problem. But for others, it can be loud and very upsetting. It can even make it hard to sleep or focus on daily tasks. Many people with tinnitus also have hearing loss, which can make the ringing seem even louder.
If you have tinnitus, you may feel like nothing will help. But hearing aids are one of the best tinnitus management options. Hearing aids can help make the ringing less noticeable. They can also improve your hearing health and make it easier to hear other sounds around you. This can help distract your brain from focusing on the ringing.
Hearing aids with special features like sound masking and sound therapy can be even more helpful. Some have tinnitus sound apps that play gentle sounds to cover the ringing.
An audiologist can help you find the right hearing aids for your tinnitus. Our Ohio audiologists in Auglaize Audiology can also give you patient counseling and other treatment ideas to improve your hearing and quality of life.
Why Choose Hearing Aids for Tinnitus
Hearing aids can help people with tinnitus in many ways. Here are a few of the benefits:
- Sound amplification: Hearing aids make other sounds louder, which can make the ringing in your ears less noticeable.
- Sound masking: Some hearing aids play soft, calming sounds to cover up the tinnitus noise.
- Better hearing: When you hear better, your brain focuses less on the ringing.
- Tinnitus therapy: Some hearing aids have special settings or apps to provide sound therapy for tinnitus relief.
- Improved balance treatment: Better hearing can help you feel more steady and balanced.
Masking and Attentional Effects
Hearing aids can help mask tinnitus by adding background noise to cover the ringing. This is called sound masking. When you hear other sounds, your brain pays less attention to the tinnitus. Over time, your brain may start to ignore the ringing more often. This is called the attentional effect. Together, masking and attentional effects can make tinnitus easier to live with.
Auditory Stimulation
Hearing aids give your ears and brain more sounds to hear. This is called auditory stimulation. When your brain gets more sounds, it doesn’t focus as much on the tinnitus. This can help reduce the stress and annoyance that tinnitus can cause.
Improved Communication
When you hear better, you can talk with friends and family more easily. This can make you feel happier and less stressed. Hearing aids can make voices clearer, even in noisy places.
Working with an audiologist is important. Audiologists at Auglaize Audiology can check your hearing and help you choose the best hearing aid technology.
Our audiologists in Wapakoneta and Sidney, OH will also talk to you about your tinnitus and give patient counseling. This can help you better understand your tinnitus and learn ways to cope with it.
The Link Between Hearing Loss and Ringing in the Ears
Hearing loss and tinnitus often go together. When you lose your hearing, your brain gets less sound. This can make it start creating its own sound—the ringing you hear.
Hearing loss can also make it harder to hear normal sounds that might cover the tinnitus. This can make the ringing seem louder and more annoying.
Many people don’t know they have hearing loss until they get tinnitus. That’s why it’s important to see a health professional for a hearing check. An audiologist can check your ears and suggest the best hearing aids to help with both your hearing loss and tinnitus.
Selecting the Best Hearing Aids for Tinnitus
There are many types of hearing aids. Some have special features to help with tinnitus. Here are some things to look for:
- Multiflex tinnitus features: Some hearing aids have special programs that give different sounds to cover your tinnitus.
- Tinnitus sound app: Some hearing aids connect to a phone app that lets you pick calming sounds to help mask tinnitus.
- Sound therapy options: Some hearing aids can play gentle sounds like white noise, ocean waves, or soft music.
- Good sound amplification: Make sure the hearing aids make voices and other sounds clear and easy to hear.
Audiologists can help you pick hearing aid technology that works best for your tinnitus and hearing loss. They can also teach you about sound therapy and other tinnitus management options.
Hearing Aids for Tinnitus in Ohio
If you are struggling with tinnitus, help is available.
Auglaize Audiology connects you to expert Ohio audiologists who can help recommend hearing aids for tinnitus.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
