Author Topic: Tinnitus & hearing aids  (Read 4073 times)

chriswalker

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Tinnitus & hearing aids
« on: October 06, 2016, 08:50:25 am »
I just found out that there are hearing aids which will aid in the masking of tinnitus.  This would be great relief to all who suffer with this - even those without AN :)

mcrue

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 357
  • Greg Mech
    • gregmech26
Re: Tinnitus & hearing aids
« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2016, 12:44:27 am »
They have helped me about 75%; however, nothing will give me "silence" from my tinnitus.

I've heard some people have cochlear implants in an attempt to find some relief; however,  it's in the early stages.

I use the WIDEX hearing aid with the ZEN feature. It cost me around $3300 cash last summer (2015).

You can likely find it half price at COSTCO.


« Last Edit: October 07, 2016, 12:48:41 am by mcrue »
5/19/2015 - 40% sudden hearing loss + tinnitus right ear

6/26/2015 - AN diagnosed by MRI - 14mm x 7mm + 3mm extension

8/26/2015 - WIDEX "ZEN" hearing aid for my catastrophic tinnitus

12/15/2015: 18mm x 9mm + 9mm extension (5mm AGGRESSIVE GROWTH in 5 months)

3/03/2016:   Gamma Knife - Dr. Sheehan

Highwireart

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6
  • AN is small. Surgery is 11/30/16. Out damn spot!
Re: Tinnitus & hearing aids
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2016, 08:42:55 am »
Wondering if downloading certain zen like tones to my phone, using my wireless headphones, would save on cost of a hearing aid for tinnitus. Anyone tried using their own downloaded tones which help?
"It's always something." ~ Gilda Radner

mcrue

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 357
  • Greg Mech
    • gregmech26
Re: Tinnitus & hearing aids
« Reply #3 on: October 23, 2016, 12:59:26 am »
Some people have done exactly that with fantastic results from what I've read on the Tinnitus forums. I think it's from the American Tinnitus Association website.

Speaking for myself, I find my tinnitus responds best when I exclusively use the simple basic hearing-aid function. That basic feature enhances sound, and the better I hear natural sound the less my tinnitus bothers me.

On days when my tinnitus is really bad, then I use the "masking" feature which basically is just a constant but equal sound matched up to my tinnitus (kinda sounds like air constantly being let out of  a tire) . This masking helps mitigate the annoyance of severe tinnitus. Thank goodness I still have nerve function in my AN ear where hearing aids are beneficial, as opposed to being completely deaf and still suffer from severe tinnitus. In that case I don't know what I would do, as it causes me anxiety about the future if-and-when that day will come.

I rarely, if ever, use the Zen tones. I prefer the high-quality WIDEX brand name as a stand alone hearing aid, even though it happens to have the Zen tones as a feature.

At the end of the day, some people prefer the store brand while others do better with the higher-end "Gucci" hearing aids. It's a matter of trial-and-error.

Speaking for myself, when the time comes to purchase a new hearing aid I will likely select the best "basic" hearing aid which functions as the highest quality stand-alone hearing aid, as this has proven to be most beneficial for my severe tinnitus; however,  the masker really does provides significant relief on days the tinnitus is out of control.

I paid $3300 cash for one hearing aid last summer in 2015. Prices vary significantly depending on where you shop.

What gives me the most sadness is that I will never hear silence again, even if I go deaf.

« Last Edit: October 23, 2016, 01:08:02 am by mcrue »
5/19/2015 - 40% sudden hearing loss + tinnitus right ear

6/26/2015 - AN diagnosed by MRI - 14mm x 7mm + 3mm extension

8/26/2015 - WIDEX "ZEN" hearing aid for my catastrophic tinnitus

12/15/2015: 18mm x 9mm + 9mm extension (5mm AGGRESSIVE GROWTH in 5 months)

3/03/2016:   Gamma Knife - Dr. Sheehan

jeeper182

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8
Re: Tinnitus & hearing aids
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2016, 05:49:57 am »
Funny you should mention never hearing silence again. Just the other day I found myself thinking that, for just 5 minutes, I'd like to have no ringing in my ear. Also sadly found myself thinking that I barely remember what that feels like. Have just started thinking about hearing aids and how they may help with the ringing. Just had GK in May, so I guess I'm supposed to wait a while before getting anything.

mcrue

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 357
  • Greg Mech
    • gregmech26
Re: Tinnitus & hearing aids
« Reply #5 on: November 01, 2016, 07:43:38 am »
Yes it's very sad. Many sufferers become depressed without a good support system.

The "better" hearing aids can be continually adjusted by a competent audiologist, so there is no need to wait. Audiologist continually tweak it to match up and "synchronize" with your most recent audiogram results.
5/19/2015 - 40% sudden hearing loss + tinnitus right ear

6/26/2015 - AN diagnosed by MRI - 14mm x 7mm + 3mm extension

8/26/2015 - WIDEX "ZEN" hearing aid for my catastrophic tinnitus

12/15/2015: 18mm x 9mm + 9mm extension (5mm AGGRESSIVE GROWTH in 5 months)

3/03/2016:   Gamma Knife - Dr. Sheehan

arizonajack

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1140
  • Arizona - It's a Dry Heat
Re: Tinnitus & hearing aids
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2016, 10:16:01 pm »
Just had GK in May, so I guess I'm supposed to wait a while before getting anything.

No need to wait.

I got my hearing aids 8 months before my GK.

If you need them, get them.

You'll be much happier.

Go back over our hearing forum for discussions about hearing aids.

http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?board=17.0
3/15/18 12mm x 6mm x5mm
9/21/16 12mm x 7mm x 5mm
3/23/15 12mm x 5.5mm x 4mm
3/13/14 12mm x 6mm x 4mm
8/1/13 14mm x 5mm x 4mm (Expected)
1/22/13 12mm x 3mm (Gamma Knife)
10/10/12 11mm x 4mm x 5mm
4/4/12 9mm x 4mm x 3mm (Diagnosis)

My story at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18287.0