Described by many as a ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears, tinnitus affects millions of people worldwide. There is no real cure for this condition; however, many find relief with the use of hearing aids. In this blog post, we will go through the best hearing aids for tinnitus and their features to help manage symptoms effectively.
Understand Tinnitus
But before getting into details about the best hearing aids for tinnitus, let's explain first what tinnitus actually is and how it affects people. Tinnitus can vary in pitch and intensity and might be perceived in one or both ears. Causes of this condition range from listening to loud noises and aging to ear infections and, in some cases, even stress.
This can prove very frustrating to many, disturbs concentration, sleeping, and leads to increased cases of anxiety. Fortunately, hearing aids help users by amplifying external sounds, that may mask the internal noise of tinnitus, hence making it less noticeable.
Why Hearing Aids Help
These are devices that work on enhancing the clarity and quality of sound, so obviously it is going to have a major effect on people suffering from tinnitus. They do this by amplifying ambient sound, which allows the user to focus less on the ringing or buzzing in their ears. State-of-the-art hearing aids also feature certain features for the management of tinnitus in people, including therapy by sound and masking capabilities.
The following features can help you choose the best hearing aid for tinnitus:
Sound Therapy: it should have sound therapy options that provide soothing against tinnitus.
Personalization: So that you can adapt the settings based on your personal tinnitus profile.
Comfort and Fit: Ease of use while fitted ensures you will have no problem wearing the hearing aids all day without irritation.
Battery Life: Long battery life is key to daily use without frequently having to recharge.
Best-Rated Tinnitus Hearing Aids
- Phonak Audéo Lumity
Best Overall
The Phonak Audéo Lumity is truly outstanding for the overall top pick of the best hearing aids for tinnitus. It offers premium sound, advanced speech-focused technology, and Bluetooth connectivity. Its unique tinnitus balance program allows for customizable relief, adjusting sound quality and background noise cancellation based on individual needs.
How to use:
- Consult a hearing specialist to program your device to your unique tinnitus profile.
- Adjust sound therapy with myPhonak app to know which masking sounds are most effective.
- Wear them all the time to be able to take full advantage of the sound therapy and improved amplification of sound.
Pros:
- Personalized options for tinnitus relief
- Clear high-quality sound amplification
- The multiple tiers of technology will appeal to more budgets
Cons:
- Some find the accompanying app difficult to navigate.
- Widex Moment
Best Sound Therapy Features
Widex Moment Hearing Aids are famous for their Zen Tinnitus Therapy, which provides relief via a collection of soothing sounds. This therapy involves counseling and cognitive behavior techniques that help the user change the way they perceive their tinnitus. They also amplify external sounds; hence, users who have problems with both hearing loss and tinnitus find them very useful.
How to use:
- Work with your hearing specialist to determine the most suitable sound therapy program for your tinnitus.
- Utilize the counseling and cognitive behavioral techniques provided through the therapy to manage your perception of tinnitus.
- Wear the hearing aids regularly to experience the benefits of sound therapy and improved hearing.
Pros:
- Comprehensive tinnitus management features.
- Excellent sound quality and clarity.
- Comfortable and discreet design.
Cons:
- Availability may be limited to specific providers.
- Oticon More
Best for Customization
The Oticon More devices have the Tinnitus SoundSupport feature. It comes with various relief sounds from the white noise and even sounds of nature. The Oticon More devices are compatible with smartphones, making personalized sound therapy pretty much effortless. With comfort to the user and quality of sound in mind, Oticon More is good for people with tinnitus.
How to use:
- Connect the hearing aids to a smartphone through the Oticon ON app
- Navigate through various options of sounds, from white noise to ocean ambiance, to mask your tinnitus.
- Personalize the volume and other settings for maximum gain and tinnitus suppression.
Pros:
- The range of unique and versatile sound options
- Easy to personalize due to app connectivity
- The amplification quality is high
Cons:
- Requires professional fitting for the ultimate experience
- Jabra Enhance
Best OTC Option
In-built tinnitus treatment features are now part of these OTC devices. Jabra Enhance Hearing Aids feature a Tinnitus Sound Gen with customizable sound calibration technology. So for users that are in need of an affordable yet effective means of coping with tinnitus symptoms, this might be a great choice.
How to use:
- Calibrate the Tinnitus Sound Generator settings until you obtain the most effective masking sounds for your tinnitus.
- Wear the hearing aids both day and night to feel better about sound therapy's benefits and improved hearing.
- Consult with a hearing specialist if you need further assistance in customizing the settings.
Pros:
- Extremely inexpensive and intuitive
- It includes a Tinnitus Sound Generator
- Settings also extremely customizable
Cons:
- Available only in BTE style
- ReSound One
Top Rechargeable Option
Tinnitus management is one of the featured functions of the ReSound One hearing aids, wherein the associated sound therapy can be done with its dedicated app. Settings may be customized to determine which sound therapy suits and works the best to get rid of the tinnitus symptoms. And, of course, with a rechargeable battery, everything is very convenient and hassle-free.
Instructions:
- Download the ReSound Smart 3D app to your smartphone.
- Adjust the sound therapy settings to find the most effective masking sounds for your tinnitus.
- Use the rechargeable hearing aids every day by always ensuring that they are fully charged for maximum benefit.
Pros:
- Tinnitus management features very effective.
- Long battery life with rechargeable options.
- Customization of sound settings through an app.
Cons:
- Higher priced compared to some other options
Factors To Consider When Choosing Best Hearing Aids For Tinnitus
When looking for a best hearing aid for tinnitus, then consider the following factors:
- Customization Level: Ensure the hearing aids can be custom-tailored to your individual tinnitus and volume of sounds.
- Comfort and Fit: Check that the devices are comfortable to use for a long time since you have to wear them for every day while being under the grip of this problem.
- Battery Life: Prefer long battery life devices so that you don’t waste time recharging them repetitively.
- Quality Sound: Devices should produce natural and crystal clear sound without distorting.
- Professional Support: Discuss with an audiologist to understand which forms of hearing aids would be most appropriate for your specific needs, and have them appropriately selected and fitted.
Conclusion
Life with tinnitus might be hard, but the correct selection of hearing aids should enable one to live normally. Please bear in mind that it will significantly help if you consult with a hearing specialist to find the best device option for you and ensure the best possible treatment. With support and tools for coping, you can manage your tinnitus better and live a much more comfortable, richer life.