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What to look for in hearing aids when you also have tinnitus
Some people with hearing loss may also deal with ringing in their ears. Here’s how hearing aids may help with both issues.
Hearing a ringing in your ears? It may be all in your head — literally. In fact, it could be a very real condition called tinnitus.
Tinnitus is an internal sound that only you can hear. It’s often described as ringing. But tinnitus can also include other sounds, such as buzzing, roaring, clicking, humming or hissing.1
Tinnitus is especially common in older adults. About 1 in 3 adults over age 65 develop the condition.2 And it’s strongly connected with age-related hearing loss and hearing loss caused by loud noises, says the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.3
Hearing aids may be a good treatment option for people with hearing loss who also have ringing in the ears.3 Hearing aids amplify sounds to help you hear certain tones better. Plus, they can help mask that buzzing, ringing sound.
That’s where your hearing care professional comes in. They’ll help you choose the right hearing aids for your situation. (If you belong to AARP®, you can request a no-cost hearing exam and consultation through AARP® Hearing Solutions™ provided by UnitedHealthcare Hearing.)
“With the right guidance, it’s possible to hear better and feel more in control [of your tinnitus],” says Mindy Brudereck, Au.D. She’s an audiologist at Live Better Hearing + Balance in Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Follow these tips to get started.
Make sure hearing aids are comfortable
Hearing aids amplify sound. So you’ll hear more from people who are speaking around you, as well as noises in your surroundings.4 This alone may be helpful for reducing tinnitus.
How? “It gives the brain more meaningful sounds to focus on,” says Brudereck. For example, it feels far better to hear the sound of a TV program or your partner’s voice at dinner than a constant ringing. Tinnitus may still be there, but it’s no longer the star of the show.
And this is why comfort is important. When your hearing aids feel good in your ears, you’re more likely to wear them regularly. That’s key for helping you hear your best and for reducing tinnitus.
A new pair of hearing aids might take a little time to get used to. But if they don’t feel comfortable, let your hearing care professional know. They might need to adjust the fit.
If you’re a member of AARP, you get up to 3 follow-up visits at no extra cost and a trial period to try out your new prescription hearing aids. Learn more.
Ask about special hearing aid features
Your hearing care professional can help you narrow down the right features to address your hearing challenges. Here are the tinnitus-taming features to ask about:
- Sound frequency customization: This feature allows you to “target the pitch ranges affected by tinnitus,” says Brudereck. Your hearing care professional will be able to identify these pitch ranges and adjust your hearing aid.
- Built-in tinnitus-masking: Some hearing aids have built-in soundscapes designed to address tinnitus. These might be white noise, static or nature sounds, says Brudereck. Masking sounds help distract the brain. This can diminish uncomfortable whooshing, ringing or roaring.
- Automatic sound adjustment: Some people find it challenging to change hearing-aid settings on their own. With automatic sound adjustment, this task is done for you. “These devices seamlessly adapt to changing environments,” says Brudereck.
Look for Bluetooth connectivity and use the smartphone app
Do you have Bluetooth-compatible hearing aids? They typically come with a smartphone app that can connect your hearing aid to your phone. This allows you to make certain adjustments from your phone on your own. “Users can fine-tune masking sounds and settings in real time,” says Brudereck.
In addition, there are some tinnitus-specific apps that can be connected directly via Bluetooth. These aim to help reduce tinnitus with a combination of:
- Sounds
- Calming activities, like deep breathing or meditation
Not sure how to use an app? Don’t hesitate to ask your hearing care professional for a hand. They can help you narrow down the relevant features for tinnitus. And teach you to navigate the app in a way that works for you.
The bottom line
Think of your hearing care professional as your partner in finding the right devices for your situation. They can show you how to use your hearing aids to hear sounds better and help reduce tinnitus. And that’s a real win-win.
Sources
- Tinnitus Mayo Clinic. Accessed February 5, 2025.
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Cleveland Clinic. Accessed February 3, 2025.
- Tinnitus National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Accessed February 5, 2025.
- Frequently asked questions about hearing aids Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed February 5, 2025.
- Hearing aids National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Accessed February 5, 2025.
Information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical provider. Consult your provider prior to making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.
AARP Hearing Solutions is available to all AARP members and does not require a health insurance plan from UnitedHealthcare. The AARP hearing program discount cannot be combined with any other discounts, promotions, coupons or hearing aid benefit plans unless noted herein. Products or services that are reimbursable by federal programs including Medicare and Medicaid are not available on a discounted or complimentary basis. AARP commercial member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details. UnitedHealthcare Hearing is provided through UnitedHealthcare, offered to existing members of certain products underwritten or provided by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates to provide specific hearing aid discounts. This is not an insurance nor managed care product, and fees or charges for services in excess of those defined in program materials are the member's responsibility. UnitedHealthcare does not endorse nor guarantee hearing aid products/services available through the hearing program. This program may not be available in all states or for all group sizes. Components subject to change.
Hearing aids purchased in the Silver technology level will receive 1 follow-up visit.
