Around one out of every seven people are estimated to deal with tinnitus. That puts the total number in the millions. In a few countries, the numbers are even higher and that’s pretty alarming.
True, tinnitus isn’t always chronic. But if you’re coping with chronic tinnitus symptoms it becomes crucial to find a solution as soon as you can. Fortunately, there is a remedy that has proven to be really effective: hearing aids.
Tinnitus and hearing loss are related but separate conditions. It’s possible to have tinnitus with average hearing or to have hearing loss without also developing tinnitus. But both conditions coexist often enough that hearing aids have become a dependable solution, treating hearing loss and ending tinnitus in one fell swoop.
How Can Tinnitus be Managed by Hearing Aids?
Hearing aids have, based on one study, been reported to give relief of tinnitus symptoms for up to 60% of participants. For 22% of those individuals, the relief was considerable. However, hearing aids aren’t manufactured specifically to handle tinnitus. Association seems to be the principal reason for this benefit. So if you have tinnitus along with hearing loss then that’s when your hearing aids will most effectively treat the tinnitus symptoms.
Here’s how tinnitus symptoms can be reduced with hearing aids:
- Outside sounds are boosted: The volume of certain wavelengths of the world become quieter when have hearing loss. When that occurs the ringing in your ears becomes much more noticeable. Hearing loss is not affecting the ringing so it becomes the most pronounced thing you hear. The ringing or buzzing that was so prominent will be masked when your hearing aid enhances the external sound. Tinnitus becomes less of a problem as you pay less attention to it.
- It becomes less difficult to engage in conversations: Amplifying human speech is something modern hearing aids are particularly good at. So once you’re using your hearing aids on a regular basis, carrying on conversations becomes a lot easier. You will be more involved with your co-worker’s story about their children and better able to participate with your spouse about how their day went. The more you connect with others, the more social you are, the less you’ll notice your tinnitus. In some cases, tinnitus is intensified by stress so being able to socialize can helps in this way too.
- The increased audio stimulation is keeping your brain fit: When you experience hearing loss, those parts of your brain charged with interpreting sounds can often suffer from stress, fatigue, or atrophy. Wearing a hearing aid can keep the audio centers of your brain limber and healthy, which in turn can help reduce some tinnitus symptoms you might be experiencing.
The Perks of Modern Hearing Aids
Smart Technology is incorporated into modern hearing aids. They come with innovative hearing assistance algorithms and the latest technology. But the efficiency of modern hearing aids is achieved in part because each device can be refined and calibrated on a patient-by-patient basis (sometimes, they recalibrate based on the level of background noise).
Whatever your particular hearing levels are, customized hearing aids can effortlessly be calibrated to them. The humming or buzzing is more likely to be effectively masked if your hearing aid is dialed in to work best for you.
The Best Way to Get Rid of Tinnitus
This will likely depend on your degree of hearing loss. If you haven’t experienced any hearing loss, you’ll still have accessible treatments for your tinnitus. That could mean custom-made masking devices, medication, or cognitive behavioral therapy.
But, hearing aids might be able to take care of both situations if you have tinnitus and hearing loss at the same time. Stop tinnitus from making your life miserable by treating your hearing loss with a good pair of hearing aids.