More and more people are suffering from sensorineural hearing loss, and Tinnitus remains a common problem. Unfortunately, this means that a growing number of people are suffering from both.
Many people’s first step would be to consult an audiologist and ask for a hearing aid. The second being to ask whether it’s possible to mask the tinnitus as well.
Fortunately, thanks to technological improvements in the world of hearing loss, new hearing aids can also be used as Tinnitus maskers–a development which has great benefits for those forced to combat tinnitus and hearing loss simultaneously. They:
Are less expensive than buying both a hearing aid and a Tinnitus-masker
Allows the wearer to mask the Tinnitus and alleviate the hearing loss in the same ear; separate devices can only be worn one at a time
Come in the many varieties–from in-the-ear to behind-the-ear, like many other hearing aids.
The combination of a hearing aid that is also a tinnitus masker marks a big leap forward in hearing aid technology, and is recommended for those who have level 3 Tinnitus or higher. If the Tinnitus is at a lower level and/or there is no accompanying sensorineural hearing loss, the device may not be necessary. The best option is to see an audiologist as well as an ENT to do what is best to improve your hearing.
