Hearing Aids

#301
Louise said:
I'm wondering if anyone who has tinnitus caused by noise-induced hearing loss has any experience with using a hearing aid to 'cure' tinnitus?

The use of hearing aids to reduce/eliminate tinnitus is something that the Hearing Specialists sometimes recommend and I am thinking about going down this route.
Click to expand...

Louise
I have H.A.s with white noise; they are awesome. My T presented in the profound range, now it's down to low severe and it no longer sounds like a high pitched dental tool, it's more like the hiss from a tire (much more livable). Now my audiologist is bringing the white noise down further (as my T goes down). It's like we've grabbed my T by the collar and we are making it obey the white noise.
The hearing aid portion addresses my hearing loss (obviously); something I need to take care of in my later years (cuz hearing loss is a major factor in T).

I can give you more details if your interested.

Mark
 
#302
i was hoping to get some feedback. I have moderate high frequency hearing loss equal in both ears and was suggested for an hearing aid. I have T in only my left ear so we fitted only that one. I have no gotten a low volume, high pitch in my other ear . Does it make sense do get a hearing aid for the other ear. It actually seems to be helping the left ear
 
#304
kevin b said:
i was hoping to get some feedback. I have moderate high frequency hearing loss equal in both ears and was suggested for an hearing aid. I have T in only my left ear so we fitted only that one. I have no gotten a low volume, high pitch in my other ear . Does it make sense do get a hearing aid for the other ear. It actually seems to be helping the left ear
Click to expand...

Tinnitus or no tinnitus, I cannot understand why an audiologist would recommend a unilateral hearing aid to a person with bilateral symmetrical hearing loss. Seems like that's just asking for trouble!

Stephen Nagler
 
#308
kevin b said:
the hearing aid definelty helped, so getting the other ear done Monday should help as well? yes?
Click to expand...

I'm not telling you that it will help today. I am telling you that it will help avoid future problems caused by having bilateral hearing loss but aiding only one side.

You tell me. What do you think the effect on your visual system would be if you had equally poor vision in both eyes but wore glasses containing but a single corrective lens??!!

Stephen Nagler
 
#309
Denny said:
Hearing aids are used a a pair, you risk having the tinnitus move to your other
"good" /non-tinnitus ear.
Click to expand...
Hearing aids are not always used as a pair, they are used to amplify specific frequencies dependent on your hearing loss. For me, I only amplify my good ear (using a Bi-CROS) because sticking a hearing aid in my bad ear would make it far worse for me to hear due to distortion. I have 0% discrimination in that ear even with amplification.

I grew up 'deaf' in one ear and never had any tinnitus until recent additional hearing loss in my good ear. For me, it sounds like it comes from my head and not one ear or another.

I do agree though that the OP likely needs aids in both ears if he has the same loss in both ears. Seems strange not to.

Dr. Nagler said:
What do you think the effect on your visual system would be if you had equally poor vision in both eyes but wore glasses containing but a single corrective lens??!!
Click to expand...
eh, you get used to it. :)

-Mike
 
#310
Has anyone had luck with hearing aids? I have moderate high frequency hearing loss and my audiologist feels I am a good candidate. My main question is , I have read it takes time and for many people it helps greatly as it helps retrain the audiotory going to your brain to hear the non threathing sounds your body was not hearing. Any ideas ?
 
#311
Hi Kevin.

I also have some age-related high frequency hearing loss ( I am 44 years old).
Never had any problems with my ears and can understand all spoken words (which is in the lower frequencies).
The high frequencies are for sibilant sounds. There are not so many, but you will hear things better like water or birds.
Your T is probably also in the high frequencies (> 8 khz). So you will have some more input from outside competing with your T. Don't expect wonders. But there will be a difference and you can hear a little bit more.
I still cannot tell (after 3 months testing hearing aids) if they help me much. The T is screaming and I can hear it over most things, with or without hearing aids.
So ask if you can test them for some time.

Regards, Martin
 
#313
Kevin maybe because you have more sounds entering your ears that your tinnitus has become a little reactive.. And competing with the extra input .. .. Ive heard that it takes at least a month to get used to digital aids .. I would say that you will be fine... Very slowely your ears will adjust over the next few weeks.. Good luck with them.. Micky
 
#315
 
#318
jazz said:
Hi,

Louise's recommendations are right! The hearing aids designed specifically for tinnitus are the best. Widex's model is called Zen, and Starkey's is named Xino. They are both known to reduce tinnitus. In general, hearing aids reduce tinnitus in about forty percent of people. And some hearing aids are better than others, like the ones just cited.

I use the Starkey Xino's and have experienced a significant reduction in my tinnitus. But it does take time. When you first put the hearing aids in, your tinnitus will probably increase. Mine increased--it became very loud--for the first two days. But then the tinnitus began to settle down. My audiologist told me it takes your brain around six months to get used to the hearing aids. (I'm three weeks into my hearing aids, and my tinnitus keeps getting lower.)

Most people freak when they try something new that adversely affects their tinnitus. I was the same way. But hearing aids are different. They won't permanently increase your tinnitus. But don't take my word. Talk to your audiologist and get his/her advice.

For me, the aids are definitely worth it, and they are quite small. No one knows you have them. My only complaint is the price!
Click to expand...

I too have the Starkey Xino T and have had it in my right ear for almost 9 months. It works by substituting a gentle undulating white noise for the tinnitus. Although it's substituting one noise for another, the Xino white noise is far less emotionally upsetting. In fact, it's rather calming. I like the fact that I can easily change the levels. I have it defaulted to the lowest amplification.

On the whole, my ringing tinnitus has lessened even when off although I still have bad periods. Sleeping is always a challenge. And when waking, the tinnitus is ridiculous.

Ironically, about four hours ago, at about 10:30pm, just like that, I heard a rapid pulsing tinnitus in the left ear. Never had it before. Very fast, almost like a motorboat. I counted 6 pulses a second. It's like I can feel it as well as hear it. That's why I'm still awake and typing this.

Hope this one is a short termer. I can't imagine a masker hearing aid for this.

Excuse the plain jane sign-in. I just joined.
 
#319
How hearing aids my help reduce tinnitus.

Here is a 2007 study on this:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17956798

Prog Brain Res. 2007;166:341-5.
Hearing aids for the treatment of tinnitus.
Del Bo L1, Ambrosetti U.
Author information

Abstract
Clinical evidence shows that the use of hearing aids in tinnitus patients provides two benefits: it makes the patient less aware of the tinnitus and it improves communication by reducing the annoying sensation that sounds and voices are masked by the tinnitus. Hearing loss reduces stimulation from external sounds resulting in increased awareness of tinnitus and deprivation of input may change the function of structures of the auditory pathways. Tinnitus is often caused by expression of neural plasticity evoked by deprivation of auditory input. With hearing aid amplification, external sounds can provide sufficient activation of the auditory nervous system to reduce the tinnitus perception and it may elicit expression of neural plasticity that can reprogram the auditory nervous system and thereby have a long-term beneficial effect on tinnitus by restoring neural function. [emphasis added] To obtain the best results, hearing aids should be fitted to both ears, use an open ear aid with the widest amplification band, and disabled noise reducing controls. In some cases a combination device would be preferable. The conditions required in order to obtain good results include not only the use of devices, but above all, their adaptation to the needs of the single patient, by counseling and customization. Wearing the hearing aid must become second nature to the patient even though it is only one element of the therapy.

Here is more information from the BTA; please go to their site for a fuller explanation:

http://www.tinnitus.org.uk/can-hearing-aids-help-people-with-tinnitus

Hearing aids for the treatment of tinnitus

There is evidence to suggest hearing aids can mask tinnitus sounds to help improve communication and reduce stress and anxiety levels, which normally exacerbate tinnitus. The loudness and prominence of tinnitus is decreased by activating the auditory system and amplifying background sound. The knowledge that you can mask tinnitus with a hearing aid is not an innovative concept, but previous hearing aids occluded the ear canal with a tight fitting ear mould. Patients reported a hollow reverberation amplifying chewing sounds and the sensation of tinnitus. A new type of hearing aid called the open-fit has been designed to successfully alleviate tinnitus symptoms by introducing a noise-reduction control. The slim tube connected to the hearing aid is cosmetically appealing, comfortable to wear, as well as eliminating external sound sources without interfering with the transmission of sounds from the outer ear to the inner ear.

Studies have shown robust evidence promoting hearing aid fitting as an effective treatment option of tinnitus control. The provision of hearing aids decreased the severity of tinnitus in 69% of bilaterally aided patients and 67% of unilateral aided patients.ª Similarly, research undertaken by Del Bo et al, (2006)º showed successful results for 22 patients fitted with open-fit hearing aids in alleviating symptomatic tinnitus perception. The participants in this study had a mild-moderate hearing loss predominately in the 2-6 kHz frequency range. The pitch of tinnitus is often detected in the 3-8 kHz range. In conjunction with hearing aid fitting, all patients had tinnitus retraining therapy, which proved to be effective at habituating sound perception, allowing the patient to ignore the presence of tinnitus over a period of six months.

How can hearing aids help?

If you have a hearing loss, a hearing aid can help with managing tinnitus by offering sound therapy in the following ways:

  • increase the information available to the brain by amplifying background sounds making the tinnitus seem less audible.
  • improve communication with others, therefore reducing stress levels.
  • helping to compensate for your hearing loss.
  • help you to habituate to tinnitus sounds.

Conclusion

One of the main reasons why open-fit hearing aids have been successful in tinnitus patients is because they do not significantly occlude the ear canal, which can aggravate tinnitus symptoms and, therefore, do not interfere with external sound transmission. They provide sufficient amplification in patients with a mild-moderate hearing loss, have an in-built noise reducing control, and are perceived as highly comfortable. In conclusion, the combination of using a hearing aid and employing counselling techniques will equip the patient with tinnitus and a mild-moderate hearing loss in the 2- 6 kHz region to habituate to their tinnitus and learn how to manage symptoms better.
 
#322
kevin b said:
My question is to anyone wearing HA w/ maskers, do you believe that masking as much as possible has to led to positive changes or no change at all? What do you feel is an adequate time frame to notice positive changes?
Click to expand...

Hearing aids with maskers do help with tinnitus--even if your hearing loss is slight. It helps you adjust to your head noise, and it gives your brain something else to focus on.

I believe you're not supposed to mask your tinnitus; you are just to set the maskers to a level right below your tinnitus. (Of course, this is not an issue for many people, like myself, whose tinnitus is not maskable.)

Regarding length of time before achieving a positive change, the answer is it depends. For me, I felt better in a few weeks. For others, it may take a few months. In general, it may take a year or a year-and-a-half until you achieve the full benefits of the maskers. By "full benefits" I mean you will no longer to react to your noise, and it won't interfere with your concentration (or it won't interfere as much). And you will probably notice your tinnitus less often.

Overall, I'm pleased with my hearing aids, though my hearing loss is very slight.

But I wish there were better tools to manage tinnitus!

That said, something is better than nothing! And HA with maskers will help you habituate faster.:)
 
#323
I forgot to add you probably will want to work on the psychological component. This component is as important as the hearing aid one. Developing a positive attitude and learning to ignore your tinnitus is very difficult and will take time. But it can be done. Almost everyone habituates. But giving it a one-two approach will help you habituate faster.

See below for a book that helped me habitute. It's a great introduction to tinnitus coping skills. The book's title is Tinnitus Treatment Toolbox: A Guide for People with Ear Noise. It's written by an audiologist with tinnitus. There are other great books, CDs, too. Just look around on TT and you'll find them.

Below is a link from Amazon to the book:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1426912153/?tag=tinntalk-20
 
#324
thank you, yes I agree totally and that is where I am stuck, I was hit with T just as I was coming out of a major depression, Needless to say the depression and anxiety have r oared back and I am praying my AD meds will help. I also found I have moderate high frequency hearing loss so wanted the HA w.maskers as another tool, I had them for 2 weeks and I guess they are helping. problem is they are 5K and I only have a 45 day trial so I am trying to see if I just need to give them more time
 
#325
Louise said:
Hi Karl,

That's great information, thankyou for posting that. I will do some reading on superior ollivary complex.

Its annoying that I asked the question as to whether a hearing aid would help sort it out to two audiologists 4 months ago and both said no and now I find out from two Hearing Specialists that it absolutely is a technique they use to help T.

I wonder why more T people dont go down that route? I expect its the whole wearing a hearing aid thing. I dont want to either and would do it as a means of getting the ears back to normal and then weaning off the aid.

The Hearing Specialist Im seeing says the T noise has always been there, but the brain has always had filters in place to stop it being heard. The filters get removed when the hearing loss happens to enable better hearing but that means the T can also be heard. If a hearing aid puts the sound back then the filters should get reapplied.

If there is anyone reading this who has tried a hearing aid PLEASE do post to let us know how it went.
Click to expand...

I have been trying hearing aids for a couple of weeks now. These have sound generators that also put a more pleasant noise in your ears. I like them because they help me calm down. I have only had tinnitus for about 2.5 months now. I'm hoping they will help me habituate to the noise. I'm only 48 and have moderate hearing loss but I feel the sound generators are more important than the hearing aids themselves. This is a big part of the TRT program. Sometimes I don't wear them if the T has calmed down for a couple of hours. Otherwise, I'm having a difficult time adjusting to this extra noise in my head. Causes me quite a bit of anxiety, but less with the sound generators.
 
#326
I use Amplisound white noise generators here and they have really helped my mental health if nothing else. They were prescribed by my audiologist here. They are adjustable sound wise and really helped me get through a work day and in busy/noisy social situations which are hard for me. Also helpful for road noise. I have the trifecta: T, Hyperacusis and Vertigo after a craniotomy.

There is a side effect to them, as my T is very reactive to sound. I get a backlash after wearing them for about an hour or so and then back to normal levels of T.
 
#327
Realizing this is a huge topic, and that Hearing Aids with/without white noise programs have been mentioned elsewhere, I'd like to ask a fairly specific question, then see where the thread goes.

My tinnitus is aggravated by wearing headphones. As a result, I've had to give up some habitual listening (always at moderate volumes) to Internet-based radio. Does anyone have experience listening to podcasts, etc., on Bluetooth-enabled Hearing Aids? I'd like to know if a properly configured set would be less likely to cause me the same problems as headphones do currently.

I have mild-to-moderate hearing loss in the low frequencies, up to 1000Hz, and a notch at 4000Hz in the affected right ear. I'd probably not consider aids if it wasn't for the tinnitus, but I could see a bright side if they helped both with masking and communication.
 
#328
rtwombly said:
Realizing this is a huge topic, and that Hearing Aids with/without white noise programs have been mentioned elsewhere, I'd like to ask a fairly specific question, then see where the thread goes.

My tinnitus is aggravated by wearing headphones. As a result, I've had to give up some habitual listening (always at moderate volumes) to Internet-based radio. Does anyone have experience listening to podcasts, etc., on Bluetooth-enabled Hearing Aids? I'd like to know if a properly configured set would be less likely to cause me the same problems as headphones do currently.

I have mild-to-moderate hearing loss in the low frequencies, up to 1000Hz, and a notch at 4000Hz in the affected right ear. I'd probably not consider aids if it wasn't for the tinnitus, but I could see a bright side if they helped both with masking and communication.
Click to expand...

I have a Widex hearing aid, bluetooth enabled, that I purchased for listening to my iPod. My experience has been negative. The sound is very tinny, and it fades out whenever I move my head. Plus, it only has a three foot range so you have to keep your iPod very close. Obviously, whatever engineer designed the hearing aid did not test it.

Does music and sound bother both ears or just one? My tinnitus is unilateral (or primarily unilateral; it might be spreading), and I can only listen to music with my good, i.e., non-tinnitus ear. After I wasted several thousand on the Widex aid, I purchased an inexpensive around-the-ear earbud that is for unilateral deafness. This means the earbud is singular but it plays stereo sound. Works out well. I can listen to everything without getting a spike.

Hope I helped.

Good luck!
 
#329
Only my right ear is bothered, in fact, the first thing I noticed was "static" on that side of the headphones. Checked the line, tried a different podcast...sometime later I heard a tone in that ear.

Thanks for the tip. I may look into the earbud.
 
#330
A 2013 review article on the efficacy of hearing aids in tinnitus management:

J Am Acad Audiol. 2013 Sep;24(8):747-62. doi: 10.3766/jaaa.24.8.11.
Role of hearing AIDS in tinnitus intervention: a scoping review.
Shekhawat GS1, Searchfield GD, Stinear CM.
Author information

Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Tinnitus can have a devastating impact on the quality of life of the sufferer. Although the mechanisms underpinning tinnitus remain uncertain, hearing loss is often associated with its onset, and hearing aids are among the most commonly used tools for its management.

PURPOSE:
To conduct a scoping review to explore the role of hearing aids in tinnitus management.

RESEARCH DESIGN:
Scoping review based on the six-stage framework of Arksey and O'Malley (2005).

STUDY SAMPLE:
Relevant studies were identified using various databases (Scopus, Google Scholar, SpringerLink, and PubMed) and hand searching of journals and a reference list of articles. Out of 277 shortlisted articles, 29 studies (18 research studies and 11 reviews) were chosen for charting of data based on their abstracts.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:
Tinnitus assessment measures used in studies were recorded along with changes in their scores. Measures used in studies included the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire (THQ), Tinnitus Severity Index (TSI), TinnitusReaction Questionnaire (TRQ), German version of Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and visual analogue scale (VAS) of tinnitus intensity. Where possible Cohen's d effect size statistic was calculated.

RESULTS:
Although the quality of evidence for hearing aids' effect on tinnitus is not strong, the weight of evidence (17 research studies for, 1 against) suggests merit in using hearing aids for tinnitus management.

CONCLUSIONS:
The majority of studies reviewed support the use of hearing aids for tinnitus management. Clinicians should feel reassured that some evidence shows support for the use of hearing aids for treating tinnitus, but there is still a need for stronger methodology and randomized control trials.

American Academy of Audiology.

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24131610#
 

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