Tinnitus for 18 Plus Years

I've had tinnitus for 18 plus years. I also have pretty severe hearing loss. I haven't tried any supplements. Running a chainsaw without protection for years and my lobsterboat engine noise have caused this ringing in both ears. My question is how would anyone know if the hearing loss is because of the tinnitus or loss of hearing itself? I'm new to this forum so maybe this has been asked also, but has anyone tried hearing aids and have they helped with the tinnitus. I've tried them a couple of times but couldn't get used to them and returned them. One doctor wanted to try sound generators, but I guess with the hearing loss they decided against them. It sounds like I'm contradicting myself but maybe the doctor didn't himself very well.

 

I saw a buddy the other day who has tinnitus and hearing loss. He said his tinnitus is gone because he started wearing a hearing aid. That's what he said. He said his hearing loss is because of loud engine sounds (helicopter) also.

 

@Roku

18 years? Wow, sounds like you are managing ok though? Has your Tinnitus changed at all over the years?

 

To answer the initial question: tinnitus certainly does not cause hearing loss; tinnitus is the result of the hearing loss. Hearing aids seem to help in people with hearing loss because it allows the person to focus on actual sounds more easily as they are amplified. The tinnitus will then fade into the background to a degree.

 

Thanks for the information. I'm going to give hearing aids another try. I've tried them a couple of times before, but returned them before the trial period was up. Yes, I've learned to live with the tinnitus, but at certain times it feels like my head will explode. This doesn't happen very often. I'm going through a bad period now. One post I read was absolutely correct, the only way anyone can stay sane is to not dwell on it. Try to stay busy and not think about. Sometimes this is easier said than done. Steve at roku

 

It means he does not experience tinnitus even after not wearing the hearing aids???

 

My friend, George, said his tinnitus was "gone" after he started wearing the hearing aids because he's now hard of hearing. I imagine with external sounds being so much more audible for him now, his T is in the background.