Tinnitus and Hearing Aids

[JHere2Ponder]

I've had tinnitus for almost 24 years now. I acquired it from cranking up my headphones too loud through most of my teen years. It was pretty bad at first, but has become more bearable over the years. Now it is mild to moderate, though more often than not I don't really pay it much attention. I do however, have accompanying hearing loss with it ( though I've had hearing loss as far back as 7 years old). I find that my hearing aids tend to exacerbate the tinnitus, somewhat, and causes some ear fullness sensations. I have mild to moderate hearing loss and often ask people to repeat themselves and have difficulty hearing high frequencies. Can anyone offer some tip to help make wearing hearing aids and tinnitus more bearable?

 

[Michael Leigh]

I've had tinnitus for almost 24 years now. I acquired it from cranking up my headphones too loud through most of my teen years. It was pretty bad at first, but has become more bearable over the years. Now it is mild to moderate, though more often than not I don't really pay it much attention. I do however, have accompanying hearing loss with it ( though I've had hearing loss as far back as 7 years old). I find that my hearing aids tend to exacerbate the tinnitus, somewhat, and causes some ear fullness sensations. I have mild to moderate hearing loss and often ask people to repeat themselves and have difficulty hearing high frequencies. Can anyone offer some tip to help make wearing hearing aids and tinnitus more bearable?

I think it's best to go back to ENT for tests on your hearing to check everything is as it should be. You could probably do with a hearing aid upgrade. One that has a built-in hearing aid and white noise generator. A referral to a Hearing Therapist will also be good. If you are still using headphones that I advise you to stop as it's not a good idea, even at low volume.
You might find my article helpful: Tinnitus, A Personal View. click on the link below.

All the best
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

 

[GregCA]

Can anyone offer some tip to help make wearing hearing aids and tinnitus more bearable?

What kind of hearing loss do you have and what kind of hearing aids do you have?

 

[JHere2Ponder]

Sensorineural hearing loss and I have 2 behind the ear, open fit hearing aids.

 

[GregCA]

Sensorineural hearing loss and I have 2 behind the ear, open fit hearing aids.

Is your hearing loss uniform or does it affect some frequencies more than others? Does left/right ear have similar losses?

 

[JHere2Ponder]

I have losses in both ears, but left ear is a little more of a loss than right. I have a high frequency loss and was diagnosed this as far back as 2nd grade. Those soft sounds are the hardest to distinguish. I acquired the tinnitus at 17 years of age and had preexisting hearing loss even before the tinnitus.

 

[GregCA]

Have you tried any hearing aids with Linear Octave Frequency Transposition?
Many sound therapies remove energy around the tinnitus frequency, and LOFT seems to do the same thing through transposition, which may be appropriate for people who have high frequency hearing loss.
Maybe worth a try.

 

[JHere2Ponder]

Can't say that I have tried that particular type of hearing aid. I probably couldn't afford it.

 

[JHere2Ponder]

My hearing has been pretty consistent over the years, with very little fluctuation in degree of loss. I do agree that headphones are very bad for tinnitus, even at low volumes, as it can make it go from mild to annoyingly loud, so they are out of the question for me. I can still enjoy music from just regular speakers and not worry about increasing the tinnitus, unless it is extremely loud.

 

[JHere2Ponder]

I think it's best to go back to ENT for tests on your hearing to check everything is as it should be. You could probably do with a hearing aid upgrade. One that has a built-in hearing aid and white noise generator. A referral to a Hearing Therapist will also be good. If you are still using headphones that I advise you to stop as it's not a good idea, even at low volume.
You might find my article helpful: Tinnitus, A Personal View. click on the link below.

All the best
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

I was wondering if I kept wearing the hearing aids, would I eventually get used to them after awhile and my tinnitus would spike less? Do I run the risk of damaging my hearing further and worsening my tinnitus? I know you are a strong opponent of wearing headphones ( which I don't do anymore). How is wearing hearing aids different from headphones?

 

[Michael Leigh]

@JHere2Ponder
Please read my article: Tinnitu, A Personal View, in my "started threads" or click on the link I gave you to access it. In the article there is a document titled Headphones and Tinnitus. It explains the difference between white noise generators and headphones.

A hearing aid increases normal everday environmental sounds, for the brain to hear. There is no syncopation in these sounds unlike music played from speaker that is close to ear and amplified. Some people with tinnitus use headphones and have no problem and others do. Many things can cause tinnitus. When it is caused my loud noise or music, I don't recommend a person use headphones even at low volume. However, it is up to the individual on what they choose to do. Some people with tinnitus have returned to headphone use and later regret it.

Michael

 

[Michael Leigh]

@JHere2Ponder It is best to follow the advice of your Hearing Therapist/Audiologist regarding the use of a Hearing Aid.
Michael