Best Hearing Aids for Tinnitus
Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
Known as “ringing of the ears,” tinnitus is a condition in which people experience sounds where there is no external stimulus. Approximately 15% of Americans – over 50 million people – experience tinnitus, with temporary cases and chronic cases.
For people who experience chronic tinnitus, the on-going sounds become frustrating and may lead to other health consequences. Tinnitus has been linked to increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, memory problems, the ability to concentrate, and fatigue. Approximately 20 million Americans experience chronic tinnitus, with 2 million experiencing debilitating cases.
Tinnitus appears in 80% of hearing loss cases. As such, many hearing aid manufacturers have included tinnitus treatment in their hearing aids.
Treating Tinnitus
Tinnitus is often a symptom of other underlying medical conditions, whether it is hearing loss or high blood pressure. Often times, by treating related medical issues, tinnitus may cease or lessen. The American Tinnitus Association notes, “While tinnitus is most often triggered by hearing loss, there are roughly 200 different health disorders that can generate tinnitus as a symptom.”
There is no cure for tinnitus in and of itself, but there is effective treatment. Because tinnitus is closely linked with hearing loss, a hearing exam and consultation with a hearing specialist is an important step to finding a solution. Your hearing specialist may recommend hearing aids that include tinnitus sound therapy and masking.
Best Hearing Aids for Tinnitus
Oticon
Oticon’s Alta 2 Pro Ti, Nera 2 Pro Ti, and Ria 2 Pro Ti hearing aids offer Tinnitus SoundSupport. Tinnitus SoundSupport is Oticon’s flexible solution for tinnitus, featuring a number of broadband relief sounds. Oticon hearing aid wearers who suffer from tinnitus may choose from sounds that include white, pink, and red static noise, as well as ocean-themed relief sounds. Oticon hearing aid wearers may connect their hearing aids to their smartphone or personal electronic devices to tap into the wealth of the Tinnitus Sound App, which offers customized sound therapy options, as well as music from your own playlists.
Phonak
Phonak’s Tinnitus Balance offers hearing aid wearers three elements: Tinnitus Balance hearing aids, a broadband noise generator, and sound therapy available through an app available for iPhone and Android. Phonak hearing aid wearers should consult with a hearing specialist to customize the Tinnitus Balance portfolio to meet their specific needs. Phonak hearing aids provide a combination of clear amplification and sound therapy to alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus.
Widex
Widex’s Zen Tinnitus Therapy aims to give wearers relief and relaxation from tinnitus; reduce stress; and amplification of the sounds wearers want to hear. Zen Tinnitus Therapy consists of four steps: 1) counseling, to assist the limbic system in altering its negative interpretation of tinnitus via cognitive and behavioral intervention; 2) amplification, to stimulate the ears and brain to prevent overcompensation; 3) fractal tones, designed to usher relaxation and provide acoustic stimulation; and 4) relaxation, through behavioral exercises and sleep management. Widex offers Zen Therapy in several hearing aid models, as well as in a standalone device for people who do not experience hearing loss.
Starkey Hearing Technologies
With Multiflex Tinnitus Technology, Starkey address tinnitus with sound masking therapy. This tinnitus therapy is available in three popular Starkey hearing aid models: the new Muse, the Halo 2 Made for iPhone, and the SoundLens. Multiflex Tinnitus Technology gives wearers all-day relief, as well as the option to personalize sound therapy to treat your specific tinnitus symptoms.
Signia Primax
From Sivantos Group, the parent company behind Siemens, comes the brand-new Signia Primax. The Primax has been proven to reduce listening effort, with excellent speech recognition from the SpeechMaster function and reverberation reduction and sound protection with EchoShield. To further reduce listening effort and provide relief from the symptoms of tinnitus, several Primax hearing aid models offer tinnitus therapy. Primax Pure, Ace, Motion, and Insio all offer sound therapy in the form of static tones or ocean sounds. These are available in receiver-in-canal, behind-the-ear, and in the ear styles, with several performance levels (7px, 5px, and 3px) to treat varying degrees of hearing loss.
Suffering from tinnitus? Visit us at one of our My Hearing Centers locations!