Can Hearing Aids Help With Tinnitus?
Tinnitus can be frustrating, especially when the ringing, buzzing, humming or hissing becomes difficult to ignore.
For some people, tinnitus occurs alongside hearing loss. In these situations, hearing aids may help make tinnitus less noticeable by improving access to external sounds.
But can hearing aids actually help tinnitus?
The answer is sometimes.
Hearing aids are not a universal cure for tinnitus, and they are not suitable for everyone. However, if you have hearing loss as well as tinnitus, amplification may provide useful support.
Understanding how hearing aids work, who may benefit and what to expect can help you make an informed decision about your hearing care.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of a sound when there is no corresponding external sound source.
People describe tinnitus in different ways.
It may sound like:
Ringing
Buzzing
Hissing
Whistling
Humming
Static
Clicking
High pitched tones
Low pitched sounds
Pulsing or rhythmic sounds
Tinnitus can affect one ear, both ears or seem to come from inside the head.
Some people notice it occasionally, while others experience it regularly.
The impact can also vary considerably.
For some people, tinnitus is a minor background sound. For others, it can interfere with concentration, relaxation or sleep.
Why Can Hearing Aids Help With Tinnitus?
One reason hearing aids may help some people with tinnitus is that they increase access to external sound.
When hearing is reduced, the environment may seem quieter.
This can make tinnitus more noticeable, particularly in quiet environments.
A hearing aid can amplify sounds according to the individual’s hearing needs.
As more external sound becomes available, the contrast between tinnitus and the surrounding environment may decrease.
The tinnitus may therefore become less prominent or easier to ignore.
Do Hearing Aids Cure Tinnitus?
No.
Hearing aids should not generally be described as a cure for tinnitus.
They may help manage tinnitus for some people, particularly when hearing loss is also present.
The response is different from person to person.
Some people notice a significant reduction in how noticeable their tinnitus feels.
Others notice a smaller improvement.
Some may not experience a meaningful change at all.
This is why a hearing assessment is important before deciding whether hearing aids are appropriate.
What Is the Connection Between Hearing Loss and Tinnitus?
Tinnitus and hearing loss frequently occur together.
Hearing loss may develop gradually, particularly with age or long term exposure to loud sound.
You may not immediately realise that your hearing has changed.
Instead, you might notice that:
People seem to mumble
You ask people to repeat themselves
The television is louder than before
Restaurants are difficult
You struggle with group conversations
Women’s or children’s voices are harder to understand
You rely on subtitles
You have difficulty hearing on the telephone
At the same time, you may notice ringing or buzzing.
A hearing test can determine whether measurable hearing loss is present.
How Do Hearing Aids Make Tinnitus Less Noticeable?
Imagine sitting in a quiet room with a small fan switched off.
You may become very aware of a quiet internal sound.
Now imagine switching the fan on at a low and comfortable level.
The internal sound may still be present, but it may no longer stand out as strongly.
Hearing aids can provide a similar increase in access to environmental sound.
By making speech and everyday sounds easier to hear, they may reduce the contrast between tinnitus and silence.
This can make tinnitus less prominent for some people.
Can Hearing Aids Help With Tinnitus at Night?
This is more complicated.
Many people notice tinnitus more at night because the environment becomes quiet.
Hearing aids can provide useful sound stimulation while you are awake, but conventional hearing aids are generally not designed to be worn while sleeping.
Some hearing devices and tinnitus management approaches may provide sound during periods when hearing aids are not being worn.
Your hearing professional can discuss appropriate options based on your symptoms and equipment.
Do All Hearing Aids Have Tinnitus Features?
Not necessarily.
Some modern hearing aids include tinnitus management features.
Depending on the device, these may provide different types of background or therapeutic sounds.
Examples can include:
Gentle broadband noise
Nature sounds
Customisable sound generators
Relaxing background sounds
App based tinnitus programs
The availability of these features varies between hearing aid models.
Having tinnitus does not automatically mean you need a hearing aid with a specific tinnitus feature.
The most important starting point is understanding your hearing and your individual needs.
What If I Have Tinnitus but Normal Hearing?
Hearing aids are generally designed to address hearing loss.
If your hearing is within the normal range, conventional amplification may not be appropriate.
There are other tinnitus management approaches that may be considered depending on your symptoms.
A professional assessment can help determine whether hearing loss is present and what type of support may be suitable.
Do not assume that hearing aids are the right solution simply because you have tinnitus.
Can Hearing Aids Help One Sided Tinnitus?
They may help in some circumstances, particularly if the ear with tinnitus also has hearing loss.
However, persistent tinnitus in only one ear should be appropriately assessed.
A hearing test can compare the hearing in both ears.
If there is a significant difference, your hearing professional can advise whether further medical assessment is appropriate.
The cause of one sided tinnitus should not simply be assumed to be hearing loss.
What If My Tinnitus Is Louder in Quiet Places?
This is common.
When there is very little background noise, tinnitus can become much easier to notice.
Hearing aids may help during the day by increasing access to environmental sounds.
Some hearing aids can also be programmed with tinnitus management features that provide gentle additional sound.
The aim is usually not to completely cover the tinnitus.
Instead, the goal may be to make the sound less dominant.
Can Hearing Aids Help With Sleep?
Hearing aids may indirectly support sleep by making tinnitus less noticeable during the day and improving communication, but they are not normally worn during sleep unless specifically designed for that purpose.
If tinnitus is keeping you awake, other approaches may be more appropriate.
These can include gentle background sound, relaxation techniques and tinnitus focused management strategies.
If sleep problems persist, discuss them with a healthcare professional.
What Should I Expect When I First Get Hearing Aids?
Getting used to hearing aids can take time.
At first, everyday sounds may seem more noticeable.
You may hear:
Footsteps
Clothing moving
Household appliances
Cutlery
Paper
Traffic
Your own voice
These sounds may initially seem surprisingly prominent.
Your brain needs time to adapt to the increased amount of sound reaching you.
The same adjustment process can occur when using hearing aids alongside tinnitus.
Can Hearing Aids Make Tinnitus Worse?
Some people may initially feel that tinnitus is more noticeable when they first start using hearing aids.
This does not necessarily mean the hearing aids are damaging the ear or causing permanent worsening.
The sound settings, physical fit and amplification level can all affect your experience.
If tinnitus becomes significantly more bothersome after starting hearing aids, speak to your hearing professional.
The devices may need adjustment.
What If My Hearing Aids Whistle?
Whistling can occur when amplified sound escapes from the ear and is picked up again by the hearing aid microphone.
This is known as feedback.
Possible causes include:
Poor fit
Earwax
Incorrect positioning
Damaged tubing or components
An unsuitable dome or mould
Amplification settings that need adjustment
Persistent whistling should be checked rather than simply accepted.
A hearing professional can assess the fit and settings.
Can Earwax Affect Hearing Aids and Tinnitus?
Yes.
Earwax can affect hearing and may also contribute to tinnitus symptoms.
It can also interfere with hearing aid performance and sometimes contribute to feedback.
If you use hearing aids and notice:
New whistling
Reduced volume
Muffled sound
A blocked ear
Increased ringing
it may be worth having your ears checked.
Avoid putting cotton buds into the ear canal.
Do Hearing Aids Work for Everyone With Tinnitus?
No.
Tinnitus is a highly individual experience.
Two people with similar hearing test results may experience very different tinnitus symptoms.
One person may find hearing aids extremely helpful, while another may notice little difference.
Factors that can influence the outcome include:
The degree of hearing loss
The frequencies affected
The severity of tinnitus
How often tinnitus occurs
Whether tinnitus affects one or both ears
The listening environments you regularly experience
The hearing aid settings
The physical fit of the devices
Individual preferences
This is why personalised hearing care is important.
How Do You Know If Hearing Aids Are Suitable?
The first step is usually a hearing assessment.
Your hearing professional can determine:
Whether hearing loss is present
The degree of hearing loss
Which frequencies are affected
Whether one ear differs from the other
Whether hearing aids may be appropriate
Whether tinnitus management features may be useful
Your lifestyle is also important.
Someone who spends most of their time at home may have different needs from someone who regularly attends meetings, restaurants, social events or busy workplaces.
Can Hearing Aids Help With Speech?
This is one of their main purposes.
If hearing loss is making speech difficult to understand, appropriate amplification can improve access to speech.
This may also indirectly help with tinnitus.
Instead of focusing on an internal ringing sound, you may be able to engage more easily with conversations and environmental sounds.
Improving communication can also reduce the frustration associated with struggling to hear.
Can Hearing Aids Help With Tinnitus in Both Ears?
They may.
If hearing loss affects both ears and you are experiencing tinnitus in both ears, hearing aids may provide amplification to both sides.
The exact approach depends on your hearing test results and individual circumstances.
Your hearing professional can explain whether one or two hearing aids are appropriate.
What Happens During a Tinnitus and Hearing Assessment?
A hearing professional may ask about:
When your tinnitus started
Whether it is constant or intermittent
Which ear is affected
What the tinnitus sounds like
Whether your hearing has changed
Whether you have experienced loud noise exposure
Whether you have earwax symptoms
Whether tinnitus affects sleep
Whether tinnitus affects concentration
Your ears may be examined.
Your hearing may then be tested at different frequencies.
The results can help determine whether hearing loss is present and whether hearing aids may be suitable.
Can Hearing Aids Help With Tinnitus After Loud Noise?
If loud noise has caused hearing loss alongside tinnitus, hearing aids may potentially help where amplification is appropriate.
However, new tinnitus after significant noise exposure should be taken seriously.
The best approach is to protect your ears from further excessive noise and have persistent symptoms assessed.
If tinnitus occurs alongside sudden hearing loss, seek urgent medical attention.
What Other Tinnitus Treatments Are Available?
Hearing aids are only one possible approach.
Depending on the individual, tinnitus management may involve:
Hearing assessment
Medical assessment
Earwax management
Sound therapy
Counselling
Cognitive behavioural approaches
Relaxation strategies
Sleep support
Hearing protection
Education about tinnitus
There is no single treatment that works for everyone.
A personalised approach is often more useful than searching for one universal cure.
Should You Ignore Tinnitus?
You do not necessarily need to worry about every brief episode of ringing.
However, persistent tinnitus should not automatically be dismissed.
Professional assessment can help identify whether there is an underlying hearing issue or another factor that needs attention.
This is particularly important when tinnitus is:
Persistent
One sided
Associated with hearing loss
Accompanied by dizziness
Pulsatile
Affecting your sleep
Affecting your quality of life
When Should Tinnitus Be Assessed Urgently?
Seek urgent medical assessment if tinnitus is accompanied by sudden hearing loss.
New pulsatile tinnitus should also be medically assessed, particularly if the sound seems to follow your heartbeat.
Other sudden or significant neurological symptoms should also receive prompt medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hearing aids really help tinnitus?
They can help some people, particularly those who have tinnitus alongside hearing loss. The benefit varies between individuals.
Do hearing aids stop tinnitus?
Hearing aids do not necessarily stop tinnitus. They may make it less noticeable or easier to manage for some people.
Can hearing aids make tinnitus worse?
Some people may initially find tinnitus more noticeable when adjusting to new hearing aids. If this continues, the hearing aids should be checked and adjusted by a professional.
Can I wear hearing aids while sleeping?
Most conventional hearing aids are not designed to be worn while sleeping. Follow the advice provided for your specific device.
What if I have tinnitus but no hearing loss?
Hearing aids may not be appropriate if your hearing is normal. Other tinnitus management options may be more suitable.
Can hearing aids help one sided tinnitus?
They may help when hearing loss is also present, but persistent one sided tinnitus should be appropriately assessed.
Can earwax cause tinnitus?
Yes. Significant earwax build up can sometimes contribute to ringing and reduced hearing.
Do expensive hearing aids work better for tinnitus?
Price alone does not determine whether a hearing aid will help your tinnitus. The suitability, fitting, programming and features of the device are important.
How long does it take for hearing aids to help tinnitus?
There is no universal timeframe. Some people notice changes relatively quickly, while others need time to adjust to amplification.
Should I have a hearing test if I have tinnitus?
Yes, a hearing assessment can be useful because tinnitus frequently occurs alongside hearing changes.
The Bottom Line
Hearing aids for tinnitus can be helpful for some people, particularly when tinnitus occurs alongside hearing loss.
They do not guarantee that tinnitus will disappear, and they are not the right solution for everyone.
The first step is understanding your hearing.
A professional hearing assessment can determine whether you have hearing loss, whether your ears need further examination and whether hearing aids or other tinnitus management options may be appropriate.
If you are experiencing persistent tinnitus, especially in one ear or alongside a noticeable change in hearing, do not simply ignore it. Getting the right assessment can help you understand what is happening and identify practical ways to manage your symptoms.