Using Widex Zen with New Bose Headphones

Audiologist today found hearing loss in my left ear. I have bad tinnitus in my left ear only. They suggested I use Widex Zen with the new Bose Headphones. Similar to Neuromonics I would wear them for around 4 hours a day. She suggested this because she felt the Widex hearing aids are way too expensive and the Bose Headphones are far less. Headphones and recurring appointments for adjustments would be $750 total.

Can anyone comment regarding this approach?

 

Hi, I would avoid headphones or earbuds, for noise induced tinnitus and at the early stage I found they irritated the tinnitus if I listen to headphones for long...I was suggested by my audiologist to get bone conduction headphones in the end. Somehow, I find these more tolerable. Also if you can, do not listen to the headphones for 4h straight. I felt that it also irritated the ear and tinnitus the longer I hear it. Hope this helps.

 

HI @T Toledo OH

Reading your post concerns me as I think your tinnitus will be made worse, using headphones or earbuds to play audio through them into your ears even at low volume. Many people (not all) with noise induced tinnitus, find their tinnitus is made worse using headphones or earbuds even when the volume is low. Some people notice this within a short period of time, for others it maybe longer. I don't think it's worth taking the risk. It is for this reason I do not recommend anyone that has NIT to use headphones or earbuds. You may have some hearing loss but do you have difficulty hearing?

Treating tinnitus and hyperacusis with sound therapy is best done using white noise generators. I have written posts on this that are in the links below. I strongly advise you to think carefully about what I have said regarding playing audio through headphones or earbuds.

Take care
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/what-is-trt-and-when-should-it-be-started.19024/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/what-happens-in-trt-sessions.18195/

 

Michael, what is the difference between hearing aids, white noise generators, and the Bose headphones? Wouldn’t both of these sending sound into ears potentially aggravate the condition? My hearing loss is not bad, it's just in the high pitch range. I can hear fine. I am looking at $750 vs like $5000 for the Widex hearing aids. What protocol and program did you use? What brand and app? I am open to hearing aids and I need to get the process moving so I need suggestions.

 

HI @T Toledo OH

I have seen your post by chance. Should you wish to contact me in future please write my name using the @ sign: @Michael Leigh Then I will receive an alert message.

I live in the UK and had TRT treatment using white noise generators and counselling. The treatment lasted 2 years and at its completion, the hyperacusis was completely cured and remains this way to this day. The tinnitus reduced to a very low level until 2008 when I had a 2nd noise trauma. The hyperacusis did not return but it took me 4 years to habituate again. Two years of that was having TRT for the 2nd time.

Please read the post below for the reasons I don't recommend using headphones or earbuds for people with Noise induced tinnitus. There is a significance difference between headphone & earbuds to white noise generators and hearing aids.

I understand your reasons for wanting to follow the advice of your Audiologist and the cost element of your treatment. However, headphones and earbuds deliver sound into the ear differently from white noise generators and hearing aids, that can cause harm even at low volume for some people with NIT.

The choice is yours.
Take care

Michael

Headphones and Tinnitus.

The views on whether a person with tinnitus should listen to music through headphones are controversial. Some people show no adverse affects while others do even when the volume level is kept low.
We are all different so the only way a one can know is to experiment for themselves if they want to. In my opinion, when the tinnitus was caused by exposure to loud noise/music and it has become intrusive - by this I mean a person having to seek help at ENT, then they shouldn’t listen to music through headphones no matter how low the volume is set.

Most music has syncopation throughout its frequency range, so it’s constantly changing in pitch, rhythm and timbre. The beat of the music and volume can also change while listening. This evokes pleasure and can stir our emotions. This happens whether we listen to music loud or soft, although certain types of music does sound better played at a higher volume than others, and vice versa.

Once the Cochlea in the inner ear is affected by exposure to loud noise resulting in tinnitus, it is usually more sensitive to sound. This is one of the reasons hyperacusis (sensitivity to sound) is often experienced with noise-induced tinnitus. The wearing of WNGs (white noise generators) as part of TRT treatment can often improve or cure hyperacusis completely for some people.

The cochlea has approximately 20,000 hair cells attached to it. These hair cells move to the vibration of sound and are just one of the components in the auditory system that enable us to hear. Someone that already has a sensitive auditory system due to noise-induced tinnitus and listens to music through headphones even at low volume, risks irritating the cochlea further; this can make the tinnitus louder and more intrusive.

I believe it's misleading when some health professionals tell tinnitus patients, listening to music through headphones is fine as long as long as the volume is kept low. These health professionals mean well and know a lot about the anatomy of the ear but many of them have never experienced intrusive tinnitus.

I have corresponded with people that have NIT at forums by email and by telephone, complaining their tinnitus has become worse after listening to music through headphones even though the volume was kept low. My advice to anyone that has tinnitus that was caused by exposure to loud noise is not to listen to music or any type of audio through headphones, as the auditory system is more sensitive.

White noise generators and Hearing aids.

Some people question the use of white noise generators and hearing aids and believe they are the same as headphones or earbuds, this is not the case. White noise generators and hearing aids don’t usually irritate the auditory system due to the volume being kept low and its frequency range remains constant, so there is no syncopation within it unlike music. In addition to this the sound is delivered through a small plastic tube that wraps over the back of the ear and enters the entrance to the ear canal. At the end of the tube there is a tiny aperture/hole where sound emits.

Headphones and earbuds use a large speaker/diaphragm in comparison to emit sound into the ear. Compared to white noise generators and hearing aids, the sound is crude, unregulated and can cause irritation.

Although white noise generators can be bought privately to treat tinnitus and hyperacusis, I don’t advise anyone to do so, unless a Hearing Therapist/Audiologist has first tested their auditory system for suitability. A person must also be shown how to use these devices correctly, as improper use can make the tinnitus worse. Furthermore, they are normally used in conjunction with Tinnitus Retraining Therapy to get optimum results.

I also don't advise listening to white noise, pink noise, brown, noise etc through headphones even at low volume. It is best to always be under the care of an Audiologist/Hearing Therapist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment and management.

 

@T Toledo OH

I used white noise generators for treating my tinnitus and hyperacusis not hearing aids as I don't have hearing loss. The type of white noise generators are similar to those in the links; there are two types of white noise generators. BTE (Behind the ear ) that look like hearing aids. And Inner-ear types. These fit in the ear canal. Model MM10 is the smallest. : http://www.puretoneretail.net/22ma.html
http://www.puretoneretail.net/mm10.html

 

What is your goal? Hearing better or treating your T?

If you want to hear better, you need hearing aids, not headphones.

If you just want to mask your T for a few hours a day, then I don't see much of a difference between headphones and the more expensive hearing aids.

 

@

@Michael Leigh I am not worried about my hearing loss, it is very minimal. I want to treat the tinnitus and habituate sooner then just sitting around waiting for it to happen. Should I discuss WNG’s then instead of the hearing aids? Then what app would be used with them? Audiologist said that I may find that the hearing aids alone may increase sound in my left ear and soften the tinnitus also, but still would be set up with the Widex Zen program. Thoughts?

 

@GregCA I am not worried about my hearing loss, it is minimal. I want TRT to speed up the habituation process. I am not looking to just mask my tinnitus, I want to habituate and then move on with my life without hearing aids or WNG’s.

 

@T Toledo OH

Please read the information in the links that I have given you about tinnitus and TRT. This is my advice: You have had tinnitus only since February barely 3 months. I therefore think it is too early for you to be starting any treatment if you have straight forward tinnitus. By this I mean tinnitus that is Noise induced. As I have indicated above and in my articles, this type of tinnitus often improves by itself with time and without any form of treatment. If after 6 months the tinnitus and hyperacusis is not improving and you're finding difficult to manage then I would seek treatment with a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist, that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis.

The wearing of white noise generators to treat tinnitus and hyperacusis does not use a software programme. The generators emit white noise into the ear at low level which can be adjusted by the user.

I think you should be careful discussing TRT or white noise generators with your Audiologist as he/she may not like it especially if they do not provide this treatment. Treating tinnitus and hyperacusis isn't something that can be rushed it requires patience, lots of it. I understand how you feel but advise you to slow down and take things easy. Tinnitus can take up to 2 years or more for a person to fully habituate. When a person also has hyperacuis, this could take longer. I am not saying this will apply to you because we are all different. I just want you to understand that getting your life back on track with tinnitus and hyperacusis will take time.

Read my articles in the links so you fully understand what treating tinnitus and hyperacusis involves using sound therapy and counselling.

Hope this helps.
Michael

 

@Michael Leigh I had another conversation with my Audiologist and she understands my concern using the Headphones. They do TRT and suggested if I am not comfortable with the headphones option then Widex hearing aids with Zen software can begin whenever I am ready. We did not discuss WNG’s. I do NOT have hyperacusis. I guess I am just trying to determine my best route to habituation. So TRT is done with either hearing aids OR WNG’s? Which is the least expensive route and what would YOU recommend if after 6 months I and still suffering and make the move?

 

Hi, from what I gather, you wish to habituate your tinnitus and put it behind you and your hearing loss is minimum, I don’t know about your audiologist, but my Audiologist told me to use free apps played through the open ear bone
Conduction when it’s bothersome at an extremely Low volume. Or just play it lightly in the background through mobile phone... They didn’t auggest getting a hearing aid for it. Hope it helps.

 

HI @T Toledo OH

I am always willing to try and help people with tinnitus because I know how debilitating this condition can be. I have many years experience with it. Corresponded with people at forums, by email and telephone. My interest is Noise induced tinnitus because that is what I am familiar with and have had one of the best treatments for it, which is TRT. This involved wearing white noise generators and having regular counselling appointments with my Therapist who is trained in TRT and also has tinnitus. The treatment lasted two years.

I have highlighted the text above because I do not think you are reading the information that I have given you in my privious posts. It is up to you what you deciced to do but since you have asked for advice I have given it.

Therefore, PLEASE do Not use any type of Headphones, earbuds or a headset. This includes sleephones and Bone conduction headphones, for audio or any kind of software audio. This is my advice because in my opinion you risk making your tinnitus worse. I have corresponded with many people that have noise induced tinnitus and used headphones of the type I have described above and regretted it because their tinnitus increased. Not everyone will be adversely affected but as I say it is a risk.

Some people in this forum will tell you using headphones is fine as long as the volume is low. If you want to follow their advice that is up to you. However, if your tinnitus increases these people will not be able to help you.

TRT requires the wearing of white noise generators and you need regular counselling sessions with your therapist, otherwise it is not proper TRT. I have mentioned this in the links that I have given you. You cannot do TRT with hearing aids! White noise generators are not hearing aids. They emit white noise into the ear at low level. This desensitises the oversensitivity to sound for people with hyperacusis and tinnitus as explained in my posts in the links that I've given you. If a person does not have hyperacusis the white noise generators will still treat the tinnitus.

I do not have any experience with the Widex hearing aids and software. As I have said TRT requires the wearing of White noise generators that emit white noise into the ear. They are not hearing aids and do not use software. I gave you two links above showing you what white noise generators look like. Here are the links again: http://www.puretoneretail.net/22ma.html
http://www.puretoneretail.net/mm10.html

Michael

PS: The habituation process takes time and cannot be rushed. Please click on the link, and read my article on habituation:
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/

 

@Michael Leigh
The Widex hearing aids do have brownian and pink noise options in the app. You can download the Widex Zen app for free and hear the sound options that you can use. My audiologist stated that WNG’s are really not used much anymore because the hearing aids provide the same treatment along with other options like choosing different sounds to choose from along with Bluetooth ability to use at my job where my phone calls would receive right to the hearing aid. I am not finding any audiologists that use simple WNG’s anywhere around here and it seems that using hearing aids that do the same thing as WNG’s is the new standard. Basically you are not using the hearing aid function on them but can if you want or ever need to.

Michael if you can do some research on the Widex Zen program and download the app. I am curious what your take on it is because I believe it is not any different than what you had done with the downfall being the a Widex devices are much more expensive then simple WNG’s.

 

@T Toledo OH

Even though you wrote my name using the @ sign I did not receive an alert message and have seen your post by chance. I use Opticon white noise generators and they make various models. The pair I am using were supplied in January.

I appreciate the Widex devices have more functionality but to treat tinnitus, hyperacusis or both WNG are all that's needed. Remember that it's a good idea to have counselling with this kind of therapy.

Best of luck whatever you decided to do.

Michael

 

Michael. I have Widex hearing aids. They sync with my iPhone. I like to play low music directly through the hearing aids... Do you think this is a bad idea?

 

HI @Ctw

Thank you for your question which is a good one. I have written posts in this forum about the difference between hearing aids/white noise generators when audio is played through them, which is not the same as: headphones earbuds, headsets, bone conduction headphones and noise cancelling headphones.

Some people believe there is no difference between hearing aids/white noise generators and headphones etc. I disagree and believe there is a stark difference. When audio is played through a hearing aid or white noise generator, the sound passes through a tiny aperture (opening) at the end of narrow plastic tube that wraps around the back of the ear and enters the ear canal. This is completely different from a headphone/earbuds that use a diaphragm/small speaker which is considerably larger and generators strong soundwaves within the ear even at low volume and hence, is the reason many people with Noise induced tinnitus have problems using headphones, even when playing white noise through them.

White or pink noise played through headphones or earbuds sounds crude and abrasive compared to proper sound generators that are made for this purpose. The ear is very delicate organ and when someone has noise induced tinnitus particularly with hyperacusis, they need to be extra careful when using any device such as headphones.

If you have no adverse reaction playing audio through your Widex hearing aids then continue listening to your music.

All the best
Michael

 

I’m currently having an incredible spike. Under very high anxiety due to a relationship break up. Can anxiety cause it to get so loud? How long do you think it will last? Thanks so much for your time, your advice and your understanding. I’m literally falling apart.

 

@Ctw

Tinnitus is intrinsically linked to a person's mental and emotional well being and therefore, stress and anxiety should be kept to a minimum if possible. I cannot say how long your spike will last but suggest, you talk with your doctor and explain your situation and see whether something can be prescribed to help lower your stress. Please click on the link below and read my post: Tinnitus and mental health.

Hope you start to feel better soon.

Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-mental-health.21978/

 

Just say to yourself "I don't give a f*ck" about any relationship, it's not worth your health. I mean if one has a relationship that's great, but if not then well then you have tinnitus to keep you company.

 

Thank you Dan! ❤️❤️

 

I use Widex. No relief from tinnitus.

 

I’m currently trialing Widex Zen hearing aids. It has pleasant chimes and bells. I need to upgrade my iPhone to operate their app. My current iPhone only has 15 GB. They need the latest iOS. I wore them overnight and my left ear was really loud upon awakening. It has since calmed down.