Trying New Hearing Aid for Pulsatile Tinnitus

Hi everyone. I'm feeling desperate this morning. I've had pulsatile tinnitus since 2008. I saw a reputable hearing specialist doctor who (back then) had me get an MRA and MRV. They were normal. The tinnitus was always present, but didn't drive me crazy. But a couple months ago, the volume increased and started driving me crazy (which didn't take much! )

I went back to this specialist recently and he ordered a brain MRI with and without contrast. It appeared normal. I decided to go the (extremely expensive) route and get a hearing aid. I just got it yesterday, and of course, I'm already frustrated. Too much technology for this old gal (71). Seems like the higher I set the volume or use the masking app, the pulsatile tinnitus gets even louder. It's like my pulsatile tinnitus refuses to be challenged!

I always have trouble with new changes, but I know I need to hang in there for several weeks, at least. The pressure I'm feeling is that this thing alone (hearing aid) cost around $3,300. YIKES! But I have a one month return policy. So I feel I need to assess things quickly.

I need to make another appointment soon with the doctor, and ask him if the brain scan I had (with and without contrast), was as good as the MRA and MRV. Also, I'm wondering if a sinus problem could be causing this (I had 2 sinus surgeries back in 2007).

Okay... sorry if this is too much info all at once. I'm just very frustrated with my body breaking down in every possible way, and now the pulsatile tinnitus has gotten so much worse. My hearing in general is very good... but I've heard it doesn't take much of a hearing loss, to confuse your brain and cause other weird hearing to happen.

Thanks for listening and I appreciate any input you might have.

 

Hi there,

I am sorry nobody responded here.

I was just wondering how you got on with your hearing aids? Did you find they helped your pulsatile tinnitus in anyway eventually? My audiologist said to me that it can take a while for the brain to rewire itself with the help of filling in missing frequencies. I have only just started wearing hearing aids yesterday myself (on a 2 week trial).

I'm not much help around the pulsatile tinnitus. Have you had a look at Whooshers?

I used to have a white noise pulsatile tinnitus intermittently in my left ear, which I could somatically modulate.

I'd be keen to hear from you.

Bless x

 

Whooshers is a great site. They helped me diagnose and find a cure for my pulsatile tinnitus.

 

I’m trying Widex Zen hearing aids. They supposed to be the best for tinnitus according to the hearing aid sales person/audiologist I’ve seen recently. They have chimes and bells playing randomly so your brain can’t lock onto a certain patter or I think you can go to the Widex Zen app and pair many nature sounds/etc. to the hearing aids.

One thing nice is there is no batteries to replace. They must have lithium batteries inside. They were much more than my other 2 sets of hearing aids... about $3000. I don’t remember when my trial ends as it’s usually 45 days. I had to pay for them upfront.

 

I like that you can pair the Widex Zen to your phone and get a variety of masking sounds including many nature sounds to play through your hearing aids. The noise is in my left ear and it’s very loud so masking has limited helpfulness. My left jaw is worn out (bone on bone) so that might be the cause. I know the noise makes me very irritable and it’s hard to function with a siren in your ear.