Hearing Aids

[JaiSea]

Has anyone tried the Widex Zen hearing aid for tinnitus?

Yes.
I have a 50% hearing loss in each ear and acute tinnitus.
Before getting Widex aids I could hardly understand anything anyone was saying to me, mainly due to the tinnitus interference.
The Widex aids, now allow me to hear what people are saying and the Zen options are just brilliant, especially when I am in noisy places or the tinnitus becomes overwhelming.
Although expensive(£3000 each), it was well worth it. BTW, I was given a 30 day try-out before committing to the sale.
Definitely improved my quality of life.

 

[dbmc]

My hearing stops at 5k and surprise, surprise, that's where my tinnitus starts. Went to OHSU for the tinnitus
clinic and they plotted all the frequencies and hearing loss. The Doc recommended two specialists closer to
home and found this wonderful Dr. of audiology who fitted me with the Widex hearing aids. Those aids brought
my life back. I can hear the birds, the tinnitus is pushed into the background with the different Zen sounds, and
on some days, I forget that I have tinnitus. Cost me a bit over $5k, and as my wife said, "We would have paid $50k"

 

[rtwombly]

I have considered hearing aids as a future stop in my journey, but I'm confused about the mechanism of action.

Does the masking come chiefly from amplifying deficient frequencies in environmental sounds, or is it necessary to play white noise at the tinnitus frequency to get a masking effect? In other words, will I need to keep the masking noise running at all times? My hearing loss is mild at low frequencies, with a notch at 4KHz in the right, symptomatic ear.

Another thing that would make a big difference to me is, would the aids replace my headphones? The very first tinnitus symptom I noticed months ago was what I thought was "static" in my right headphone. Since then I've been unable to use headphones; the sounds and annoyance are too ugly. If I did get aids that were matched to my hearing thresholds and were bluetooth compatible, is it likely that I would be able to use the aids in place of headphones, without the interference?

 

[Ken O'Dwyer]

I hope I am not duplicating a discussion elsewhere but my audiologist has recommended hearing aids although I do not need them for normal hearing. I think the theory is that because I have moderate loss for high frequency sounds the hearing centre in my brain is compensating by producing high frequency T. The hearing aids are supposed to allow me to hear high frequency sounds and so my brain will begin to reduce the T. Is this a plausible theory and does anyone have experience of this approach being successful?

 

[Ken O'Dwyer]

Thanks for the re-direct.
After reading through the discussion I will persevere - only had the (free) HA for 1 week.
Will report back monthly.

 

[Cor]

Hey all, i had a talk with a local audiological centre/store where they told me they sometimes try hearing aids for tinnitus patients. The theory seems to be that at least some tinnitus is caused by hearing loss, and the brain reacting to the loss of input. So hearing aids could help some. Nothing new so far.

But it made me think. These hearing aids they had were general 'sound amplifiers'. So they increase the sound over a complete sound spectrum. I havent checked, but I assume something like 1-6khz or something.

So why cant they make a hearing aid that exactly matches your hearing loss. If you have a dip at 3500-4500 hz, why not only amplify that? Even better, why cant I do that at home? I can have a sound generator creating a tone range from 0 to lets to 15khz, and i could play with dials to make it all a continuous sound level thus counteracting the exact hearing loss and then upload this profile to a hearing aid.

If the theory is true that hearing loss causes the brain to 'create' tinnitus, shouldnt this fix it? (yes yes, i know, the brain is much more complicated than that Just thinking out loud with my geek brain.

 

[Enrique]

Hey Cor,
I just went to go get fitted for hearing aids and the hearing aids that I am getting are programmed to specifically amplify only the frequencies where I need them but they amplify only to correct to a 20db loss in that frequecy. I assume because at 20bd it is still considered normal. I also thought about what you said. I don't have an answer about tinnitus being fixed with hearing aids but I heard they provide major relief to some tinnitus patients, even without maskers. I hope mine does. If you don't have hearing loss I would not get hearing aids. There are sound generators that are much less expensive that you can fit into your ear if you want to mask your T.

 

[Ken219]

Not a doctor. Take example cochlear implants. My understanding it bypass the inner ear and is attached to the nerve. I wonder if the nerve is divided into paths for sounds. If an implant is attached to the right path with the correct frequency it would correct that frequency? All conjecture. But 24 years with T and if these relapses would stop I'd be happy to habituate. Habituated a few times before and I should do it again. Peace(habituation) with T is great!

 

[NeoM]

Hearing aids are programmable for your hearing loss. For some people with hearing loss and tinnitus a hearing aid completely masks their tinnitus whereas for others it does nothing. However, if you don't have mild or above hearing loss I wouldn't recommend getting hearing aids.

 

[Relic Hunter]

I have hearing loss in the 4k to 6k range and this most likely the cause of my tinnitus. I have normal hearing in the lower frez. and speech range.
I have hearing aids and they are programed to compensate just for the range of loss in the high frez. range. One would assume then that since my hearing is thus restored to normal that the tinnitus would disappear. NO.
I have noticed not bit of reduction in the tinnitus as a result of the aids. My brain is receiving much more audio input in the high range and this is easily noticeable. The aids do act in some way as a masker as you are simply hearing more .
It seems that once the "tinnitus switch" is turned on in the brain it just remains on.

 

[Cor]

To me this 'if the tinnitus switch is on it stays on' explanation seems a bit easy. To me it suggests science really still doesnt have any idea whats causing this.

Anyways, I have a 45db hearing loss in 1 ear at 4khz. Well, the audiotest shows 4khz, but if I listen to a tone generator it dips from 2900 to 5000. So you think a hearing aid in 1 ear matched to my loss frequencies could possibly help? Anyone know of a brand name that is able to amplify specific frequencies. My local store claims theirs just amplify everything which seems useless for tinnitus. You still keep the relative input difference.

The same audiotest shows I have no problem with spoken words, at least, the ENT told me my spoken word test was 'normal'. I have the graph, but I of course cant differentiate normal from abnormal. I dont seem to have a problem with my hearing loss in daily life.

 

[caffclifton]

Hey all,

So you may have seen me frantically posting on here as TT is my new best friend! i have lots of questions and i was wondering if any of you guys can help answer them.

So as well as my T i have SSHL Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss, i was wondering if anyone else hear has suffered with this? My main question is that when you first got this did you ever have beeping/squeaking/morse code type sounds that where different to your T when you where in a crowded place/listening to the radio? (this is when it happens to me) i tried to explain this to my doctor and she just said that my brain is adjusting to the frequencies i cant hear and this will get better... is this the case or will i need a hearing aid to rectify this issue?

Also what's peoples reactions to having hearing aids (especially NHS ones) are they really viable and do they help restore your hearing to normal or is hearing still weird? Does it help with the T? Does it make your own voice sound funny?

Finally did anyone start off their hearing loss/T with a full feeling in their ear? Mine still feels full after 8 weeks but MRI shows there's no fluid and ear drum is fine.

Sorry for all the questions im just trying to get a better understanding of my T

Thanks

Caff

 

[attheedgeofscience]

i have lots of questions

I have noticed.

So as well as my T i have SSHL Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss, i was wondering if anyone else hear has suffered with this?

Try this thread: https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/sudden-and-unexplained.2772/

she just said that my brain is adjusting to the frequencies i cant hear and this will get better...

Classic "kitchen table talk" from a health professional who couldn't possibly know how the inner ear and the brain works. This would require expert knowledge, and chances are that your doctor doesn't have that. Will your tinnitus/hearing get better over time? Possibly. But in that case, it is because even nerve cells have slight regenerative properties.

is this the case or will i need a hearing aid to rectify this issue?

Possibly. An audiogram would be a starting point for this.

Finally did anyone start off their hearing loss/T with a full feeling in their ear? Mine still feels full after 8 weeks but MRI shows there's no fluid and ear drum is fine.

Fullness in the ear - in the absence of a concrete diagnosis - is most often related to osmotic processes in the perilymphatic liquid where very specific salt concentrations are required to be maintained. Fullness in the ear is therefore a sign of inner ear overstrain which the body is having a hard time to overcome (if it persists). Your inner ear is damaged in plain simple terms. LLLT is quite effective against this (for basic biological reasons - which doctors typically wouldn't have a clue about).

and i was wondering if any of you guys can help answer them.

Done.

 

[caffclifton]

@Louise I'm interested to know if you got the NHS hearing aids (haven't read the whole thread) I'm waiting to see an audiologist on the NHS about one. If the NHS one works for me i will also look into buyig an invisable one privately.

 

[Quentino]

Can hearing aids be dangerous?

I'm 19, and because of music i have a bad hearing (-10 left and even -20 right, at some frequencies). But it depend of the hearing test : my ENT said it was "not catastrophic" with a more precise hearing test

One of my friend said that is father has hearing aid, and that it "destroy" the ear : hi father cannot hear without them now. But his father lost 40% of his hearing, and seems to not accept it.

I know at some moments i will have to have aids, but i'm worried it can increase the hearing loss in times wiyth more sounds in the ear.

I'm also worried to have later a totally artificial sound in my ears and to live in a sort of bubble.

What do you think?

 

[RAY]

Hi Quentino
My experience of hearing aids which by the way I have two digital open fit type is positive, for this reason I have mild to moderate hearing loss in both ears around the 4kh range and last year I went through the process of having my aids fitted it took a bit of getting used to but, 1 year on I can say they have made a huge difference, I no longer here my T as much when they are in.
Like you I was a bit worried that they might make my T worse due to the fact that I am now experiencing an increase in sound level but when you think about it, the aids are only bringing the outside sounds up to where it should be, and another point is, do you honestly think that the ENT would deliberately put your hearing in any more danger .
The only down side with my aids is wax, as I have my aids in up to 16 hours a day the wax has very little chance of coming out naturally so I now have the trouble of wax build up, but hey its only wax and a course of olive oil when needed does the trick

Stay Positive and Good Luck

 

[Quentino]

Thank you for your answer.
If it's not too personnal, at which age did your hearing loss begun anf what do you do for cinema, restaurant?

I'm worried for the future. My Ent say i can regain some hearing because he think i have ear glue. But it's difficult to find informations about that.

 

[RAY]

Hi that's a tricky one as i've worked in construction all my career I put my hearing loss down to noise induced, but things came to a head when I got a virus in my left ear which completely left me totally deaf, after medication my hearing returned but left me with T in that ear, It wasn't till I had a hearing test that I discovered that my right was affected the same as my left this was about 12 years ago at the of age 46

As for the cinema i try to avoid it but if I do want to see a film I have noise reducing ear plugs that reduces the sound by around 15 db, as for the restaurant well i can take my aids out if I want but I find it ok .As for glue ear if you google it there is loads of info on the subject

All the best

 

[Quentino]

so with hearing loss, you can understand cinema with pro earplugs? ( i don't really like cinema, seems loud for me, but i don't want to stop seeing my friend).

I'll try to stay positive. There's always something to do ( if today hearing aids are good, what it will be in the future )

But it's difficult, i feel guilty. For all this years of headphones... I'm only 19!

I hope my Ent permit me to regain some hearing in my right ear!

 

[ashley]

I'm a second year Doctor of Audiology student. Hearing aids will not damage your hearing. For loud situations they do not amplify nearly as much, and there is a certain level they will never amplify above because it's dangerous.

 

[Mark McDill]

Can hearing aids be dangerous?

I'm 19, and because of music i have a bad hearing (-10 left and even -20 right, at some frequencies). But it depend of the hearing test : my ENT said it was "not catastrophic" with a more precise hearing test

One of my friend said that is father has hearing aid, and that it "destroy" the ear : hi father cannot hear without them now. But his father lost 40% of his hearing, and seems to not accept it.

I know at some moments i will have to have aids, but i'm worried it can increase the hearing loss in times wiyth more sounds in the ear.

I'm also worried to have later a totally artificial sound in my ears and to live in a sort of bubble.

What do you think?

Quentino
I have 2x hearing aids (with white noise generators) and my experience has been very positive (I've had them for a year and a half now). Just for propriety's sake I take them out (to let my ears breath) when I can.

Mark

 

[Rico Napoli]

How long in should one seek TRT ? saw an audiologist who told me to hold off and just buy hearing aids that have a masker and may not need TRT.

 

[Dr. Nagler]

How long in should one seek TRT ? saw an audiologist who told me to hold off and just buy hearing aids that have a masker and may not need TRT.

Do you have clinically significant hearing loss? By that I mean: If you did not have tinnitus, would you be seeking hearing aids because of hearing loss?

Dr. Stephen Nagler

 

[Rico Napoli]

Absolutely not my hearing is fine the ENT recommended Lipofalvanoids get a psychiatrist and get on meds in addition to seeing an audiologist. So I went according to his protocol. Audiologist claimed I had High frequency loss at 4kz 30 db and told me the hearing aids were 97 % success rate. When I had asked for factual data she couldn't provide any. When I mentioned TRT she said hold off. The last few months have been a nightmare in my life. When I mentioned TRT and DR Jack Vernon they were clueless . In 3 months my life has changed with a hissing in my right ear or vietnam war zone in my head. Never ever had suicidal thoughts in my life. This is insane and the medical community and politicians in this country all suck. How am I gonna live the rest of my life like this ? If this is the number 1 disability of vets coming home how is it not a priority ?

 

[Voirrey]

I can only speak from my own experience,i was told i had age related hearing loss and was borderline for needing hearing aids,had them for 2 weeeks now and they are really good no tinnitus at all when wearing them,wish i had got them sooner.

 

[Dr. Nagler]

Audiologist claimed I had High frequency loss at 4kz 30 db and told me the hearing aids were 97 % success rate. When I had asked for factual data she couldn't provide any. When I mentioned TRT she said hold off.

Rico, this is actually a surprisingly simple decision.

In the setting your audiologist is describing, hearing aids (and maskers and combination units) are designed to achieve immediate temporary tinnitus relief - just like @Voirrey described above. TRT, CBT, TAT, NTT, PTM, etc. are treatment protocols that do not provide immediate temporary tinnitus relief; rather, those approaches are designed in one way or another to facilitate gradual sustained relief over time.

Since hearing aids typically come with a trial period (i.e., you can turn them in within a month or two and get your money back - less a restocking fee) there is really no reason not to follow your audiologist's suggestion initially and see if you get the immediate results you desire. My only concern would be her quoting a 97% success rate, which to me sounds somewhat ludicrous, but still - if you're going to know pretty much right away whether or not you will attain your desired result, it really doesn't matter what figures she quotes.

Hope this clarifies more than confuses.

Dr. Stephen Nagler

 

[loosse up]

I have tried Hearing aids twice. The first was 5 years ago. They were expense about 3,500 each. I wore them for 6 months with absolutely no help to my T. I recently went back to try the Widex hearing with a sound masker. I was excited at first. After having used them for two weeks I had to give them back as my T spiked to a terrifying level. All of this is frustrating and I no longer trust anyone in the hearing industry as they are trying make a buck off of desperate people.

 

[xmierce]

Rico, this is actually a surprisingly simple decision.

In the setting your audiologist is describing, hearing aids (and maskers and combination units) are designed to achieve immediate temporary tinnitus relief - just like @Voirrey described above. TRT, CBT, TAT, NTT, PTM, etc. are treatment protocols that do not provide immediate temporary tinnitus relief; rather, those approaches are designed in one way or another to facilitate gradual sustained relief over time.

Since hearing aids typically come with a trial period (i.e., you can turn them in within a month or two and get your money back - less a restocking fee) there is really no reason not to follow your audiologist's suggestion initially and see if you get the immediate results you desire. My only concern would be her quoting a 97% success rate, which to me sounds somewhat ludicrous, but still - if you're going to know pretty much right away whether or not you will attain your desired result, it really doesn't matter what figures she quotes.

Hope this clarifies more than confuses.

Dr. Stephen Nagler

So just to clarify.. For me I have hearing loss at high frequency as well. Of course the ringing in my ear I can hear perfectly fine so when the audiologist sends the tone it is the same as my ring. My ENT said that hearing aids will provide relief for the T since the aid will amplify only the sound that one is lacking. I do not understand that theory but maybe its the brain stating that it can stop the feedback because it hears it.

Is it advisable to do TRT with hearing aids or is it truly one or the other?

 

[Ronnieo]

Just received first time hearing aids . I have hearing loss at some high frequencies . Seems to me after one day that my T is being aggravated . My audiologist says it will help my t by picking up background noise . So far I am not finding this . He said I will get used to it . Anyone out there with hearing aids encounter problems with this situation. Thanks for your help . Ron

 

[Milly]

I have been using the Widex Zen hearing for around 3 weeks, not much help. Has anyone read Titinittus Miracle, I thought about trying it. Can I use my walkman to mask the tinittus sounds.