How do I chose the right Hearing Aids for hearing loss & tinnitus?

Posted by gyro @gyro, Dec 17, 2019

I am new to this group and am in need of some help. I have a slight- mild hearing loss in frequencies up through 3000Hz in both ears. From 3000
HZ my hearing drops in a linear line to -40db in my right ear and -55db in my left. I also have tinnitus. My audiologist has suggested hearing aids for both the hearing loss and tinnitus. Unfortunately she strongly suggests over the ear type and I was hoping for something less visible in the ear. My question is;
Has anybody with similar hearing loss and tinnitus had a good result with canal style hearing aids?
Thank you.

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@gyro

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences with BTE hearing aids, very much appreciated.
I called my audiologist’s office last week for an appointment to go in and decide on my hearing aid style with the thought that I would go with the BTE if it is my best option. Turns out I need another hearing test because I procrastinated beyond the 6 month limit (8 months) from hearing test to getting hearing aids fitted. I’m going back in first week of January for testing and fitting on same day I’ll let you all know how I make out after I get them.

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Gyro: Let us know how everything goes with your test/fitting! In regards to tinnitus see if the hearing aids help. It doesn’t for me.

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@scottk

Gyro: Let us know how everything goes with your test/fitting! In regards to tinnitus see if the hearing aids help. It doesn’t for me.

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I will update after the testing and on the aids I will be getting. Sorry to hear the hearing aids didn’t help with your tinnitus. My hope is I might find relieve from mine but I might have to get the masking feature to ensure some help there.

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Thanks gyro! Also on Jan 16th I will be going for a tinnitus evaluation in Milwaukee at the Froedert Clinic. I have a high pitched ringing and also a low drone sound that sometimes gets worse. Will let you know how that goes.

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I’ve read recently that people with hearing loss and tinnitus can often times find relieve from their tinnitus simply by wearing hearing aids to help compensate for their hearing loss. The amplification prescribed allows for greater sound input which in turn can lessen or even eliminate the tinnitus while wearing the hearing aids.
My question is: Have any folks here found that to be the case or did/has the tinnitus remained at the same level as before hearing aids were prescribed and worn?

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Gyro: Please take a look at the App TinnitusPlay. You may find it interesting!

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@gyro

I’ve read recently that people with hearing loss and tinnitus can often times find relieve from their tinnitus simply by wearing hearing aids to help compensate for their hearing loss. The amplification prescribed allows for greater sound input which in turn can lessen or even eliminate the tinnitus while wearing the hearing aids.
My question is: Have any folks here found that to be the case or did/has the tinnitus remained at the same level as before hearing aids were prescribed and worn?

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Gyro, I believe that it is true that tinnitus relief can come from wearing hearing aids. I have occasional bouts of the ringing but its worse when I remove my hearing aids for the night. Fortunately for me, it doesn't last that long.
Tony in Michigan

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@gyro

I’ve read recently that people with hearing loss and tinnitus can often times find relieve from their tinnitus simply by wearing hearing aids to help compensate for their hearing loss. The amplification prescribed allows for greater sound input which in turn can lessen or even eliminate the tinnitus while wearing the hearing aids.
My question is: Have any folks here found that to be the case or did/has the tinnitus remained at the same level as before hearing aids were prescribed and worn?

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@gyro
Hi,
To answer your question specifically. I have bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus in my left ear which is my worse ear and which I do not notice much anymore.
However it is more noticeable without the aids. It virtually disappears once both my aids are in...which is most of the day. It returns to the same noise level once both are off. I can remove just the left aid during the day but because I have the right aid in, I don’t notice the tinnitus in the left ear. So sound and any noise seems to mask the tinnitus but it is only temporary and as long as I am wearing one or two aids. Hope I explained that so it made sense.

FL Mary

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Since tinnitus is nature's way of filling the void of silence, it makes sense that providing sound with an aid or aids would reduce the tinnitus. Tinnitus has been part of my life for nearly 40 years, so I can go for hours without actually noticing it--if my aid is in. I do still notice tinnitus at night, which is, of course, without the aid. Even the screaming tinnitus that moved in when I went bilateral is not an actual problem with the aid in. Perhaps Mother Nature takes a rest when we have aid(s) in, providing something to fill the silent void.

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I have persistent loud tinnitus.
I wear my aids twelve to fourteen hours a day.
The aids definitely help with the tinnitus. They magnify surrounding sounds thus helping with the tinnitus.
The amount of help depends on the
amount of noise around you.
Sitting in front of the TV in a quiet room you probably will notice the tinnitus more than outside are in a noisy venue.
The other thing you may swear to is that when you take the hearing aids out the tinnitus is worst then before you got your hearings aids.
It's not. That's just how much the aids are helping mask the tinnitus.
I do have a tinnitus masking program that I use sometimes. It's just static noise but it can help distract from the tinnitus sometimes.
Ok got to go.
I know this answer is late but I haven't been to the site in a while.
I could say - wishing you good luck on your journey - but I've personally learned that adapting to hearing aids
requires hard work sometimes and definitely commitment.

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@freezerman504

I have persistent loud tinnitus.
I wear my aids twelve to fourteen hours a day.
The aids definitely help with the tinnitus. They magnify surrounding sounds thus helping with the tinnitus.
The amount of help depends on the
amount of noise around you.
Sitting in front of the TV in a quiet room you probably will notice the tinnitus more than outside are in a noisy venue.
The other thing you may swear to is that when you take the hearing aids out the tinnitus is worst then before you got your hearings aids.
It's not. That's just how much the aids are helping mask the tinnitus.
I do have a tinnitus masking program that I use sometimes. It's just static noise but it can help distract from the tinnitus sometimes.
Ok got to go.
I know this answer is late but I haven't been to the site in a while.
I could say - wishing you good luck on your journey - but I've personally learned that adapting to hearing aids
requires hard work sometimes and definitely commitment.

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@freezerman504 such a helpful response. Thank you. Can you explain more about the work you had to adapt to your hearing aids? What tips would you offer?

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