Widex Zen2Go

WIDEX Zen2Go
Does anyone have this non-hearing aid? It’s a masking system that fits behind the ear for those with tinnitus and withOUT hearing loss. Do you find it helpful? How much does it cost? Thank you.

 

I don't own the Zen2Go but I'm assuming it's similar to my old Widex hearing aid with Zen. The Zen feature is available to listen to on their website. It didn't do much for me personally as I prefer masking sounds that are close in range to my tinnitus and unfortunately the Zen chimes didn't come close.
Mike

 

I don't remember the exact model that I had of the WIDEX tinnitus devices. I originally tried TRT twice, and used different models for the masking.

The first model that I had has some white noise sounds, and then some chime sounds. I didn't really find this model helpful.

The second model that I had, had 5 or 6 different white noise settings and I found it much more helpful. That model costed I believe approx. 3,000 CDN. The clinician was very good and extremely helpful, however at the time I was living far away from the clinic and was having issues with my reactive tinnitus. So I decided to return them.

In the end, maybe one day I may look at going back to these options. But I can attest that the second model of the WIDEX masking devices helped me habituate to my tinnitus a bit better.

 

Thank you! All good information. I hope that if you try it again that it will work for you.

 

Thank you very much @myrottndog !

 

@myrottndog

WIDEX Zen2Go, is what is known as a white noise generator, formally known as a tinnitus masker although, the term is not commonly used today amongst most Healthcare professionals that work in ENT: Hearing Therapists and Audiologists. Tinnitus should not be masked so it is covered up by another sound in order for it not to be heard. If this is done the person will find habituating to the tinnitus difficult and in most cases not achievable. As soon as the masking sound is stopped or temporarily removed, the brain will immediately focus on the tinnitus and often, it will appear to be louder and more intrusive.

A much better way and preferred method that most Hearing Therapists and Audiologists advise, is to set the white noise slightly below the level of the tinnitus. Over time the brain habituates to the while noise and slowly pushes the tinnitus further into the background making it easier to ignore. Two white noise generators should be worn, even if the tinnitus is in one ear, as this helps to keep the auditory system in balance. White noise generators are specialist instruments/devices and must be used correctly if not, the tinnitus can be made worse. A person should really be under the care of a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist and shown how to use them properly. WNG are expensive and not everyone will find them suitable to wear so please keep this in mind. I have been using them for twenty years and find them very helpful.

They are commonly used as part of TRT and can be very effective with this treatment. When used as part of TRT My advice is to start off slowly. Put them on in the morning setting the level slightly below the tinnitus. Wear them for 1 or 2hrs then remove them for the same duration. Slowly build-up the wearing time over a few weeks until a maximum of 8 to 10hrs is achieved. This allows the auditory system to adjust to them because if a person has hyperacusis, or their ears are sensitive the white noise generators could spike or exacerbate the tinnitus. Therefore, care needs to be taken when introducing them instead of wearing straight off for 8 to 10hrs.

Michael