Can Hearing Aids Help With Tinnitus?
If you experience a ringing sound in one or both of your ears, it's referred to as tinnitus. This noisy symptom is a common problem that affects about 20% of adults. One solution that you may look into to help reduce tinnitus symptoms is hearing aids.
Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
It's true that many people who experience tinnitus also experience hearing loss. These two problems tend to go hand in hand. In these cases, getting hearing aids from a hearing care professional can be a great solution. Your new hearing aids can help to amplify the world around you so that you can better hear what's going on.
It's vital to note that not all tinnitus sufferers experience hearing loss. In these situations, hearing aids aren't going to be beneficial. There's no reason to amplify the sounds around you. You should use other tinnitus treatment options to help manage your tinnitus symptoms. There are two common tinnitus treatment options that are effective in most patients. These include tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) and white noise treatment.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) uses a combination of directive counseling and sound therapy. Together, these help you deal with the hearing, emotions, and flight or fight response. This retraining happens over a 12 to 24-month period. You'll retrain your auditory system, autonomic nervous system, and limbic system.
White Noise Treatment
Another great way to reduce the effects of tinnitus is using white noise or sound maskers. This type of treatment helps you cope with your condition in the short term. White noise treatment is not intended to be a long-term solution to handle the symptoms. The idea behind this treatment option is that it provides sounds to mask the ringing sounds.
It's important to realize that these treatments are all about reprogramming your brain. You'll work to desensitize the intensity of your tinnitus. After a few months, most patients report a significant lessening in their symptoms.
It's best to work with an audiologist to help identify the right treatment options to fit your needs. Some patients will experience more relief with white noise over other viable options. With a licensed professional by your side, you can explore your treatment options. You will also have someone advocating to relieve your symptoms.
Call Us Today
If you're interested in getting hearing aids, give us a call today. Our hearing professionals can help you with undergoing a hearing evaluation. Together, we will find the right hearing aids to fit your individual needs.
