@Stink The $4K (actually it was a little over) was for both aids. And I do believe people are supposed to wear two maskers, even if their tinnitus is unilateral or primarily on one side. This is because the central auditory pathways are interconnected so each ear "hears" the other one. (I'm not sure of the exact mechanism, but this is my understanding.) Regarding price, I bought my hearing aids about three years ago. I don't know of the current costs. But you don't have to get the bluetooth ones. (I didn't.) Just the normal hearing aids with the maskers are sufficient and less expensive. What I liked about Starkey, however, was the ability to personalize your sounds. The other companies did not offer this.
That said, the in-ear maskers are also very beneficial, like I noted above. Regarding the link I gave you above, it looks like they are only sold through an audiologist. I'm not sure why. Perhaps, like with my maskers, they will tailor the noise to your tinnitus. I do not know. Anyway, here is the link from their website to people who do sell the devices.
https://generalhearing.com/consumer/where-to-buy/
Over the years, numerous people have benefitted from these devices. And, after benefitting, nearly all of them moved on--eager to reclaim their old pre-tinnitus life.
Of course, if you do try in-ear maskers, please share your experiences. It is important that we collect as much data as possible about devices that may (or may not) help our tinnitus. And, regarding maskers, I do know most people benefit greatly. And so I hope you become another success story.
Here is one link from 2013 of a person (Blair) who did really well with Widex Zen. Personally, I tried these and they irritated my noise. But tinnitus is a personal thing. What irritates one person may be soothing to another.
Another member, Karl, was a frequent contributor to TT. A few months after purchasing hearing aids with maskers, he began to come onto the forum less and less. Now, he rarely visits. This is because he's also moved on with his life.
Indeed, the poll above is further proof that these in-ear maskers do help!
The effect is typically not immediate, but, over a few months you will get a lot better. (Some people, of course, do experience immediate relief. Tinnitus is so individual.)
Also note that many--not all--people say their tinnitus got louder for a few days once they started to mask. That is normal. Tinnitus is very temperamental after all. And it often balks at new sounds. But, after a week or two, the sound should go back to baseline and you should start feeling relief.
And please ask for a trial period, preferably thirty days. They are expensive and you should have options.
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