Living with tinnitus can feel like carrying around an unwelcome soundtrack that never stops. That constant ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears can be distracting at best and debilitating at worst.
Many people experiencing tinnitus ask the same question, do hearing aids help with tinnitus? The short answer is that for many individuals, yes, they can. But to really understand why, we first need to explore what tinnitus is, how it relates to hearing loss, and what role hearing aids play in managing it.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is often described as a sense of sound in the ears or head that doesn’t come from an external source. People with tinnitus might hear ringing, hissing, whooshing, clicking, or even a low humming. It can be constant or intermittent, mild or intense, and experienced in one ear or both.
Tinnitus is not a disease itself, but a symptom of an underlying issue. The most common causes include:
- Hearing loss
- Ear infections or blockages
- Exposure to loud noises
- Certain medications
- Underlying health conditions
The connection between hearing loss and tinnitus
Up to 90% of people with tinnitus also have some degree of hearing loss. This strong overlap suggests the two are connected.
When hearing loss occurs, the auditory system isn’t receiving the full range of sounds it used to. The brain, to compensate for missing sound signals, may become more sensitive to internal noises or generate its own “phantom sounds.”
Since hearing loss makes it harder to hear external sounds, the internal ringing or buzzing of tinnitus often feels louder and more noticeable. Imagine being in a quiet room with a ticking clock. Suddenly, that tick seems very loud. But if you were in a busy café, you probably wouldn’t notice it at all.
Do hearing aids help with tinnitus?
For many people, the answer is yes. Hearing aids are one of the most widely recommended tools for managing tinnitus, especially when hearing loss is also present. They can help in several ways:
Amplification of external sounds
By making every day sounds clearer and louder, hearing aids help mask the internal ringing or buzzing. This doesn’t cure tinnitus, but it reduces its prominence.
Improved communication
Struggling to hear conversations while also dealing with tinnitus can be exhausting. Hearing aids make it easier to focus on speech, lowering frustration and stress, both of which can worsen tinnitus.
Special tinnitus features
Many modern hearing aids come with built-in sound therapy options, such as soothing noise, white noise, or ocean-like sounds designed to blend with or mask tinnitus.
Brain stimulation
By giving the brain more auditory input, hearing aids may reduce the over-sensitivity that contributes to tinnitus perception.
Clinical research supports these benefits, with studies suggesting that hearing aids can significantly reduce tinnitus annoyance, particularly when paired with counselling or sound therapy.
It’s important to note that results vary. Not everyone with tinnitus will experience relief from hearing aids, but for those with hearing loss, they are often a first-line recommendation.
Who Should Consider Hearing Aids for Tinnitus?
Not everyone with tinnitus needs hearing aids, but they can be especially helpful for:
People with diagnosed hearing loss
If your audiogram shows mild to moderate hearing loss, hearing aids can address both challenges at once.
Those whose tinnitus is worse in quiet settings
Amplification of environmental sounds can make tinnitus less noticeable.
Individuals struggling with communication
If tinnitus and hearing loss make conversations stressful, hearing aids can restore confidence and ease.
People open to other tinnitus features
Many hearing aids now come with customisable masking sounds, which can be tailored to your tinnitus profile.
The best way to know if hearing aids are right for you is through a comprehensive hearing test with an audiologist. They can assess your hearing, tinnitus, and lifestyle needs to recommend the most effective solution.
Other Tinnitus Treatments to Know
While hearing aids are highly effective for many people, they’re not the only choice. A complete tinnitus management plan might include:
Sound therapy
Using background noise, white noise machines, or apps to reduce awareness of tinnitus.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Helps manage the emotional response to tinnitus, reducing stress and improving quality of life.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
Combines sound therapy with counselling to train the brain to tune out tinnitus over time.
Stress management
Practices such as meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises can reduce stress-related tinnitus spikes.
Healthy lifestyle choices
Limiting caffeine, alcohol, and exposure to loud noise can help keep tinnitus under control.
Medication
Some prescriptions worsen tinnitus. Discussing alternatives with your doctor may help.
Hearing consultations with Sutton Hearing Centre
Because tinnitus has many possible causes, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Often, the best outcomes come from a combination of approaches.
If you’re struggling with tinnitus, the first step is to schedule a hearing consultation. At Sutton Hearing Centre, our team of experienced audiologists can help decide whether hearing aids or another form of treatment are right for you.