Can Hearing Aids Stop Ringing in Your Ears?

Most people are aware that hearing aids can be used to improve issues with hearing loss. However, what many do not realize is that they can also be very useful when it comes to alleviating the symptoms of tinnitus or ear ringing too. Read on to find out more.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus or ringing in the ears is a common symptom of an underlying condition that affects more than 50 million people in the U.S. alone. The ringing people experience in their ears is not from an outside source by caused by an internal issue. Sadly, this sometimes leads to people believing that it’s all in their head, and not seeking treatment that could help alleviate this symptom.

Indeed, while at this current time tinnitus is incurable, some treatments can help those experiencing it a great deal. One such treatment is to use hearing aids, a topic that will be discussed in more detail below.

Tinnitus and Hearing Loss

Before we discuss how purchasing hearing aids can help alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus, it’s important to establish that there is a link between tinnitus and hearing loss. Indeed, in some cases, hearing loss may be the cause of tinnitus. This is because when less sound reaches the brain, it can lead to a process called neuroplasticity. This is where the brain alters the way it processes sound, which in some cases may lead to tinnitus.

This effect is demonstrated by the fact that for some people experiencing tinnitus the pitch of the sounds they struggle with is the same as the pitch of the sounds that the tinnitus creates. That is if a person can hear low pitched sounds, the tinnitus is more likely to be low pitched in nature.

Additionally, as a response to the lack of external sound, the brain may ascribe added importance to the sounds that the tinnitus causes including ringing, clicking and even roaring. Of course, either experiencing hearing loss or tinnitus alone can be challenging, but together they can impact a person’s quality of life.

Hearing Aids and Tinnitus

While tinnitus and hearing loss are not always linked, as the majority of people with the former, also tend to have the latter using a hearing aid as part of their treatment can result in several benefits. These benefits include using white noise to mask tinnitus sounds to offer relief. Such sounds can be programmed into a hearing aid, or even supplied by an app linked to a person’s hearing device.

Hearing aids can also help to relieve tinnitus because they improve the person’s overall hearing. When a person has clearer hearing, the tinnitus can seem less severe and take up less attention, something that offers relief.

Lastly, hearing aids can be used to facilitate a technique known as habituation. This is where the person experiencing tinnitus learns to get used to the noise, and so not notice is so much or give it so much attention.

Do Hearing Aids Cure Tinnitus?

No, hearing aids do not cure tinnitus, instead, they are used to lessen its impact and improve the quality of life of those experiencing it. Currency there is no cure for tinnitus, although some types will clear up on their own. For example, ringing in the ears is experienced after attending a loud live music performance.

Will Hearing Aids Work for All People Experiencing Tinnitus?

No, not everyone that experience tinnitus has hearing loss, which means that some of the above treatments may not be suitable for them. In particular, the second option where the impact of tinnitus is reduced but improving hearing quality will not be effective for someone with ringing ears that has been caused by impacted earwax, frequent ear infections or loud noise exposure.

However, the other techniques including white noise and habituation may still be able to offer some relief. Of course, the best person to determine this will be a qualified audiologist. To that end, making an appointment to see your audiologist is the best thing you can do if you are looking to treat your tinnitus symptoms as they will have the expertise to advise you on the best course of action.

Contact Arkansas Professional Hearing Care for Tinnitus Relief

Are you or someone you know experiencing tinnitus? The good news is that there may be treatment that can help alleviate it. Indeed, all you need to do is contact an audiologist at Arkansas Professional Hearing Care, as they are on hand to answer any of your tinnitus and hearing loss questions. Call us at (501) 588-0177, today to begin your tinnitus treatment journey.