I recently received some hearing aids on trial. I've been wearing them since Tuesday afternoon (so about 5 days now). It's a top-of-the-line Phonak (sorry, didn't get the exact model, but to buy both it is $11,000 AUD!). I've got them on loan for 2 weeks, but going back to work on Monday and don't want to wear them at work at this stage.
My hearing is OK and I don't have any issues with hearing people or sounds. My left ear is worse than my right and I have some high frequency hearing loss in both ears (which is normal for my age). I have intermittent tinnitus, and get a break from it about every third day. I am using the hearing aids just as normal hearing aids, i.e. not background noises or anything. The batteries need to be replaced about every 5 days.
I
believe that the hearing aids are improving the tinnitus. It doesn't seem as bad now, and the tinnitus breaks seem longer. Having said that however, it's actually quite difficult to be certain that there is an improvement, which is part of the problem with assessing efficacy of tinnitus treatments!
When you wear hearing aids, you have to take them out when you go to sleep or have a shower. Which means that there is quite a long time during which they are not worn. If the lack of hearing aids, are responsible for exciting the neurons which cause tinnitus, then this can be be an issue and it might be expected that continuous use of hearing aids could be of benefit to tinnitus sufferers.
There is a brand of hearing aid called Lyric (made by Phonak) which is entirely in the ear and not visible. They have a non-removable battery which can last up to 3 months. You wear the hearing aids continuously (including during sleep) for the period the battery lasts and then replace them with a new set once the battery runs out. They are charged for on a subscription model independent of the number of hearing aids you require. These hearing aids are sold as being of potential benefit for tinnitus sufferers as they are functional 100% of the time. They require a visit to the hearing clinic to get them installed (which I believe is covered by the subscription).
Here is some information relating to Lyric and tinnitus:
https://www.phonakpro.com/content/d...cles/documents/lyric_jacob_johnson_proofs.pdf
(Caution: The person who wrote it is from Phonak!).
They are seeing an average TFI reduction of over 13 at 2 weeks and 3 months with a sample size of 15. A TFI reduction of over 13 is regarded as "meaningful".
Could be interesting to try I guess...
And if anyone has already tried them, I would be interested in feedback.