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

Behind the ear (BTE) hearing aids have a bit more space in them, so they can contain options that in the ear (ITE) hearing aids cannnot. Not sure, but I think there are a few ITE style hearing aids that are re chargeable, but some may not have other features you would want to have. Your audiologist is giving you good advice based on your specific needs.

This all depends on the fitting. Ear molds and domes are two different things. Many BTE hearing aids use ear molds that are custom made specifically for a person's ear. The domes are less conforming. I don't believe that ITE hearing aids provide 'more direct sound'. I have a BTE with a custom ear mold. It's a power aid by Widex. I generally get 10 -12 days from one battery. One caution about buying batteries in large quantities. They do expire. Be sure to check the expiration date on the package. Expired batteries can lose considerable power.

@tarheel @joyces @julieo4 I haven't seen this discussed in the comparison of ITE and BTE HA's. When my loss went past Moderate 5 years ago, I was told I could no longer use ITE as I needed more power. The ITE's have a limit on how much you can crank them up before you get a lot of feedback from them. So I've been with rechargeable BTE's since. I have a custom mold in one ear as it is oddly shaped and doesn't hold domes without slipping out and causing feedback. Custom mold works great.

Think about it. Custom ear molds require perfect fitting for the individual's ear, along with a bit more work from the person fitting the hearing aid. They have to be cast perfectly, kind of like a dental inlay, to fit right. Sometimes they need a few tiny alterations during fitting. Domes are a whole different, one size fits all, kind of connector. They don't always fit tight, and that can cause feedback. They also have to be changed fairly often. Some of the new hearing aids have different types of 'receivers', so may require the dome fitting. Most of those are not power aids for more severe hearing loss. I tried one last time I purchased a hearing aid and found it didn't work for me. We are all different. Our ear canals are unique, as is our hearing loss. My audiologist's have always been willing to take the time needed to fit me correctly. So important, and I appreciate that.

I'm a little suspicious of anyone selling an aid that will "reduce tinnitus." Think about it: tinnitus appears when we lose hearing. The more hearing we lose, the more/louder T we have. I doubt that ANY aid actually reduces tinnitus...but, any aid that brings more sound in, should reduce (or make less noticeable) tinnitus. During the year that I was virtually deaf, I had tinnitus so loud that it woke me up during the night, had screaming daytime levels. As soon as I got on the right program of meds (hormones) and my hearing returned to the level where it had been a couple of year ago, the tinnitus became almost quiet. That is, I no longer really notice it, even though I now have it in both ears--different kind of noise in each. Perhaps we should concentrate on getting the aid that produces the best sound, and less (or less noticeable) tinnitus will be the result. Masking machines simply replace the tinnitus with a different noise, one that is less bothersome, but, still, noise. I wonder if people with normal hearing actually have some background tinnitus, but never "hear" it--that is, they never notice it because their brains are busy interpreting the sounds they want to hear, like conversation. I know that, except when someone mentions tinnitus, I don't even realize it's there now that I have some hearing in one ear again.

I have just read an article on experiments conducted on the use of psychedelic mushrooms. CNN 12/06/2022. These mushrooms are proving to be effective in increasing neuroplasticity, they successfully treat depression, PTSD, and a few other conditions like obsessive compulsive disorder. These are double blind experiments that meet scientific criteria. I wonder whether these experiments would be useful to identify possible benefits for tinnitus sufferers. Does anyone know where the question might be posed to get researchers interested in research of this nature?

Quite a bit of research is being done on tinnitus, causes, cures, etc. Still it seems to remain a mystery as it affects everyone differently. Here are a couple of ideas for you.

Hearing Health Foundation
https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/preventing-hearing-loss
Tinnitus Research Initiative
https://tinnitusresearch.net
May 09, 2022 · Tinnitus Research Initiative is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the development of effective treatments for all types of tinnitus so that relief can be obtained

@willows I'm not sure how to get researchers interested in this concept but I would trust anything nature made over man made.
Tony in Michigan

In the midst of trying new over the ears as my ear canals are not “average” and small. This is really the first time I am acknowledging my need. I have tried eargo twice in the tent past…expensive for me and ineffective. I have a great and attentive provider who also wears aids I reside in Ocean County NJ. Hope this is helpful

There is an HLAA Chapter in New Jersey. I've copied information from the HLAA website below. You will learn a lot by talking to other people who use hearing aids. HLAA is The Hearing Loss Association of America, and is a consumer based non profit organization. People share their experiences with products and providers. HLAA doesn't sell products or promote providers. If you are able to connect with them you will be able to learn more about what is available in your area of the country.

South Jersey Shore Chapter
Details: Meets the 3rd Thursday of every monthly from 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: Cape Regional Medical Center
2 Stone Harbor Blvd.
Cape May Court House, New Jersey 08210
Contact/s:
Carolyn Richards sjhardofhearing@gmail.com
609-886-3678
Helena Aber haber01@comcast.net