Can Hearing Aids Really Help with Tinnitus? Here’s the Truth
If you have tinnitus, you know how exhausting the constant ringing, buzzing, or hissing can be. For millions of people, tinnitus isn’t just an annoyance, it significantly impacts sleep, concentration, hearing, overall quality of life, and peace & quiet. But here’s the big question: Can hearing aids really help with tinnitus?
The short answer: Yes, for many people, they can. Let’s dive into the science, the technology, and practical solutions that can work for you.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external source. It often presents as ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears. According to the American Tinnitus Association, nearly 50 million Americans experience tinnitus, and for about 20 million, it’s debilitating.
Common causes include:
- Age-related hearing loss
- Noise exposure
- TMJ and neck injuries (somatic tinnitus)
- Stress and anxiety
- Hidden hearing loss (auditory damage not detected by standard tests)
How Hearing Aids Help with Tinnitus
Hearing aids aren’t just for hearing loss, they can also help manage tinnitus. Here’s how:
- Amplification: By boosting external sounds, hearing aids reduce the contrast between tinnitus and silence, making the ringing less noticeable.
- Sound Therapy: Many modern hearing aids include built-in sound generators (white noise, pink noise, or fractal tones) that mask tinnitus. Widex SoundRelax is my favorite.
- Brain Recalibration: Amplified sound helps retrain the auditory system, reducing the brain’s focus on tinnitus signals.
Best Hearing Aid Features for Tinnitus Relief
When shopping for hearing aids, look for these features:
- Integrated Sound Therapy: White noise or fractal tones. You can’t get these feature from a big box store, so make sure you see a tinnitus audiologist.
- Bluetooth Streaming: Play relaxing, background, or interesting sounds from your phone.
- Customizable Programs: Switch between tinnitus relief and normal listening.
- Rechargeable Batteries: Convenience for all-day use.
Who Benefits Most?
Hearing aids work best for people who have both hearing loss and tinnitus. If you have normal hearing but severe tinnitus, standalone sound generators or apps may be better. However, individuals with hidden hearing loss may benefit from low gain amplification.
Advanced Testing for Hidden Hearing Loss
The University of South Florida Hearing Clinic uses advanced diagnostic tools, including otoacoustic emissions (OAE), ultra-high frequency audiometry, and speech-in-noise testing, to uncover subtle auditory deficits often missed by standard hearing tests. These evaluations help identify “hidden hearing loss,” a condition where patients struggle in noisy environments despite normal audiograms. Hidden hearing loss is increasingly recognized as a contributor to tinnitus, making early detection critical for effective management.
Ready to find relief? Book a hearing and tinnitus evaluation today at the University of South Florida Hearing Clinic and discover hearing aids designed for tinnitus management.
Dr. Jon Douglas specializes in tinnitus, hyperacusis & misophonia management, hearing aid technology, and vestibular evaluations. With over 19 years of academic and clinical experience, Dr. Douglas is deeply committed to providing evidence-based audiological care that improves the lives of patients affected by hearing, balance, and sound sensitivity disorders.