Tinnitus-masking hearing aids?

Posted by stella52 @stella52, Sep 21, 2020

I'm new on this forum, and I hope I'm not being redundant with my question. I have moderate bilateral sensorineural hearing loss AND unrelenting tinnitus. Does anyone have experience with attempts at tinnitus masking using hearing aids? My audiologist has ordered the Phonak Audeo M50 and states she believes these will help mask the tinnitus as well as improving my hearing. I do not have any type of hearing aids yet. I would appreciate any feedback in this regard. Thank you!

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@stella52, welcome. I'm glad you started a new discussion on this topic. There are several members who can talk knowledgeably about hearing aids that help mask tinnitus, like @mikepa @mickeyb2 @2beagles @tonyinmi @nurseheadakes @imallears @joyces and others.

In the meantime, you may be interested in these related discussions:
- Constant tinnitus: Are there any solutions? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/constant-tinnitis/
- How do I chose the right Hearing Aids for hearing loss & tinnitus? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hearing-aid-selection/

Stella, how long have you had tinnitus?

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Welcome to this forum. Tinnitus is a common issue, and so often hearing loss goes along with it. We will be interested to hear how hearing aid masking works for you. Hoping the new hearing aids will make a positive difference for you.

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@colleenyoung

@stella52, welcome. I'm glad you started a new discussion on this topic. There are several members who can talk knowledgeably about hearing aids that help mask tinnitus, like @mikepa @mickeyb2 @2beagles @tonyinmi @nurseheadakes @imallears @joyces and others.

In the meantime, you may be interested in these related discussions:
- Constant tinnitus: Are there any solutions? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/constant-tinnitis/
- How do I chose the right Hearing Aids for hearing loss & tinnitus? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hearing-aid-selection/

Stella, how long have you had tinnitus?

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The hearing aids my husband had were made by the U of Maryland, after he had a mold of his ears done.....and they had white noise.....to retrain the brain. Not store bought hearing aids..they were specific for him.

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@2beagles

The hearing aids my husband had were made by the U of Maryland, after he had a mold of his ears done.....and they had white noise.....to retrain the brain. Not store bought hearing aids..they were specific for him.

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@2beagles How did that work for him? Was he happy with the outcome?

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He had the treatment over 15 years ago.......he wore the hearing aids while awake for 1 year or more....they provided white noise. Tinnitus never goes away, however it has never bother him again. He has never worn them again.....his brain does not alert him anymore of any danger....it saved his sanity. good luck

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@2beagles

He had the treatment over 15 years ago.......he wore the hearing aids while awake for 1 year or more....they provided white noise. Tinnitus never goes away, however it has never bother him again. He has never worn them again.....his brain does not alert him anymore of any danger....it saved his sanity. good luck

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@2beagles Sounds wonderful! I don't have tinnitus but was interested in what you were reporting. So what does he hear now? Just normal hearing or white noise or ? Hope you don't mind the questions!

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He hears normal now...no hearing aids....doesn't hear the tinnitus at all....he did not have a tumor or any other medical problem other then tinnitus from gun shots in Vietnam....this saved his sanity.

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@2beagles

He hears normal now...no hearing aids....doesn't hear the tinnitus at all....he did not have a tumor or any other medical problem other then tinnitus from gun shots in Vietnam....this saved his sanity.

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I'm so happy to hear he got the relief he did. Tinnitus is not thought of as a life-threatening condition; however, I have met so many people who are nearly suicidal because of it. It can certainly drive you crazy at times even after you learn how to deal with it. Did he have hearing loss, as well, or "just" the tinnitus? I know there are hearing aids specifically used for masking tinnitus without hearing loss. I have both, so I'm hoping to find hearing aids that address both issues.

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@2beagles

He hears normal now...no hearing aids....doesn't hear the tinnitus at all....he did not have a tumor or any other medical problem other then tinnitus from gun shots in Vietnam....this saved his sanity.

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Wonderful! I am quite sure that tinnitus is not constant with everyone, can be intermittent, and maybe go away on its own??? If that is the case, perhaps that's what his tinnitus did 🙂 so the intervention he received may not get the credit for its complete disappearance. Just wondering!

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His tinnitus was constant and at times so loud it woke him up from a deep sleep.....His treatment gets all the credit for making his live normal.

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