Hearing aids may reduce tinnitus for some people, but they do not cure it
Hearing aids can make tinnitus less noticeable in roughly half of people who have both hearing loss and tinnitus. They work by amplifying outside sounds, which can mask the ringing or buzzing you hear in your ears. But this is not the same as fixing the underlying cause. If your tinnitus is caused by something other than hearing loss—such as jaw problems, medication side effects, or blood vessel issues—a hearing aid alone may not help at all.
The key question before you spend money on hearing aids is whether you actually have hearing loss. Many people with tinnitus have normal hearing on a standard test. If that is your situation, a hearing aid will not reduce your tinnitus and will waste your money. A comprehensive hearing test from an audiologist is the only way to know for certain.
Key Takeaways
- Hearing aids reduce tinnitus awareness in some people by amplifying background sound, but only if you also have hearing loss.
- A formal hearing test from an audiologist is necessary to determine whether hearing loss is present and whether a hearing aid might help.
- Even when hearing aids do help, they typically make tinnitus less bothersome rather than eliminating it entirely.
- Some hearing aids include tinnitus-masking features such as white noise or nature sounds, which can be tried during a trial period before purchase.
- If you have tinnitus but normal hearing, other treatments such as sound therapy, counseling, or medical evaluation for underlying causes may be more useful than hearing aids.
How hearing aids can reduce tinnitus awareness
When you have both hearing loss and tinnitus, the two often go together. Hearing loss means your brain receives less outside sound, so it becomes more aware of the internal noise your ears are producing. A hearing aid amplifies the sounds around you—conversation, traffic, music, wind—which fills in that gap and makes your tinnitus less prominent by comparison.
This is called masking, and it works best in social situations or when you are in a noisy environment. The tinnitus is still there, but your attention shifts away from it because you are focused on the amplified sounds. Some people find this relief is enough to improve their quality of life, even though the tinnitus itself has not changed.
The effect varies widely. Some people notice a significant reduction in how much their tinnitus bothers them. Others notice little difference. There is no way to predict in advance whether you will be in the first group or the second, which is why a trial period is important.
When hearing aids are unlikely to help
Hearing aids will not reduce tinnitus if you have normal hearing. This is the most common reason people try hearing aids for tinnitus and see no benefit. If an audiologist's test shows your hearing is within normal range, a hearing aid is not the right tool, regardless of how loud or bothersome your tinnitus is.
Tinnitus can also be caused by problems unrelated to hearing loss: jaw joint dysfunction, medication side effects, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, or blood vessel abnormalities near the ear. In these cases, treating the underlying cause may reduce the tinnitus, but a hearing aid will not. Your doctor or an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT) can help identify whether one of these other causes is at play.
Some people have both hearing loss and a separate cause for their tinnitus. Even then, a hearing aid addresses only the hearing loss part of the problem. You may still need additional treatment for the tinnitus itself.
Hearing aids with built-in tinnitus features
Many modern hearing aids include tinnitus masking programs that play white noise, pink noise, or nature sounds through the device. These are separate from the regular amplification of outside sound. Some people find these sounds more soothing than relying on background noise alone.
If you are considering a hearing aid partly for tinnitus relief, ask the audiologist whether the model includes these features and whether you can test them during a trial period. A typical trial lasts two to four weeks and allows you to return the device if it does not help. This is your chance to see whether the masking effect—whether from amplified sound or built-in noise—actually reduces your awareness of the tinnitus in your daily life.
What to expect during a hearing test
An audiologist will test your hearing across different frequencies and volumes to create a picture of what you can and cannot hear. This test takes 30 to 60 minutes and is painless. The results show whether you have hearing loss and, if so, how much and in which frequencies.
During this same visit, mention your tinnitus. The audiologist may ask questions about when it started, what it sounds like, whether it is constant or comes and goes, and how much it bothers you. This information helps them decide whether a hearing aid is worth trying and what features might be most useful. Some audiologists can also perform additional tests to measure your tinnitus, though these are not always necessary for deciding on treatment.
Other options if hearing aids do not help
If you have tinnitus but normal hearing, or if a hearing aid trial does not reduce your tinnitus, other approaches exist. Sound therapy uses external noise—white noise machines, fans, or apps—to mask tinnitus while you sleep or work. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches you to change how you react to the sound, which can reduce how much it bothers you even if the sound itself does not change.
An ENT specialist can evaluate whether a medical cause exists and whether treatment is possible. Some medications cause tinnitus as a side effect; switching to a different medication may help. Jaw problems, high blood pressure, and other conditions are sometimes treatable.
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) combines sound therapy with counseling to help your brain learn to ignore the tinnitus over time. This approach takes months but can produce lasting improvement for some people.
The cost and trial period
Hearing aids range from roughly $1,000 to $6,000 per pair, depending on the technology and features. Some insurance plans cover part of the cost if you have hearing loss, but coverage varies widely. Medicare does not cover hearing aids, though some Medicare Advantage plans do.
Most audiologists offer a trial period of 30 to 45 days. During this time, you can return the hearing aids for a refund if they do not help your tinnitus. Some practices charge a trial fee (typically $100 to $300) that is credited toward the purchase if you keep them. Ask about the trial terms and refund policy before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hearing aids make tinnitus worse?
Hearing aids themselves do not cause tinnitus to worsen. However, if the amplification is set too loud or if the fit is uncomfortable, you may become more aware of your tinnitus. This is why a proper fitting and a trial period are important. If you experience worsening tinnitus during a trial, tell your audiologist so they can adjust the settings.
What if I have tinnitus in only one ear?
One-sided tinnitus may have a different cause than two-sided tinnitus and warrants evaluation by an ENT specialist to rule out serious conditions. If you also have hearing loss in that ear, a hearing aid in that ear might help. If your hearing is normal, a hearing aid will not reduce the tinnitus.
How long does it take to notice if a hearing aid helps tinnitus?
Some people notice a difference within days. Others need two to four weeks to adjust to the device and recognize whether the tinnitus is actually less bothersome. This is why a trial period of at least 30 days is valuable. Do not judge the result after just a few days of use.
Are there hearing aids specifically for tinnitus?
No hearing aid is designed only for tinnitus. All hearing aids amplify outside sound, which can help mask tinnitus if you have hearing loss. Some models include additional tinnitus-masking programs with white noise or nature sounds, but these are add-ons to a device built primarily for hearing loss.
Should I see an ENT before trying a hearing aid?
If your tinnitus is new, sudden, or one-sided, see an ENT first to rule out medical causes. If your tinnitus is long-standing and you have hearing loss, you can start with an audiologist. If the hearing aid does not help after a trial, an ENT evaluation may reveal a treatable underlying cause.