Tinnitus is noise or ringing in the ears that affects as many as 1 in 5 people. Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying condition such as injury or age-related hearing loss. While there’s no cure for tinnitus, there are treatments that can help to ease the condition.
A study conducted in 2008 suggests that up to 60% of people experiencing tinnitus benefit from the use of a hearing aid.A hearing aid plus tinnitus masker can help to improve hearing loss and mask the sound of the tinnitus. For individuals without hearing loss, a tinnitus masker may be used alone. A tinnitus masker provides a constant low-level sound to cover up the tinnitus ringing.
For those with hearing loss and tinnitus, a hearing aid can help by reducing the stress associated with struggling to hear. Tinnitus decreases for many people when stress levels are reduced.
Receiver-in-canal hearing aids, also known as open fit hearing aids, have been found to be the most effective in treating tinnitus as they don’t cause blocking effect in the ear.
If you’re experiencing tinnitus or ringing in the ears, consult with your Orlando ENT doctor to determine the best course of treatment for your specific situation.
