Most people with tinnitus have some degree of hearing loss. Research suggests that hearing aids may help reduce tinnitus and its impact on daily functioning.

This article provides a brief overview of tinnitus’s connection to hearing loss and how hearing aids may help reduce symptoms. Finally, we list some of the most effective treatment options for tinnitus.

A 2022 review and meta-analysis of 28 studies investigated the effectiveness of hearing aids for tinnitus relief. Of these studies, 68% reported that hearing aids were associated with tinnitus relief, while 1% reported that hearing aids caused no change in tinnitus perception.

The study authors noted that while the majority of studies support the use of hearing aids for tinnitus relief, more high quality, controlled studies are necessary to confirm their effectiveness.

A 2017 study investigated whether the type of hearing aid plays a role in the effectiveness of tinnitus management. The study compared the following hearing aid types:

  • conventional receiver-in-the-canal hearing aids (CHA)
  • CHA hearing aids that included a sound-generator to mask tinnitus (CHA+SG)
  • extended-wear, deep-fit hearing aids (EWHA)

Participants included 55 individuals with mild to moderately severe hearing loss and bothersome tinnitus. Researchers divided the participants among the three treatment groups. Each participant wore their hearing aids over a 4-month period and then reported on their tinnitus symptoms and the extent to which tinnitus had affected their functioning.

Almost all participants experienced a reduction in their tinnitus symptoms over the course of the study, and the majority reported a clinically significant improvement in their functioning. There were no significant differences between the groups, suggesting that all three hearing aid types appear to improve functioning with tinnitus.

Get involved

If you have tinnitus and want to help researchers better understand how hearing aids may help reduce your symptoms, you can check out ClinicalTrails.gov. Make sure to discuss participation in a clinical trial with your primary healthcare professional, especially if it will change your current treatment plan.

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are available to buy directly from a pharmacy, store, or online retailer. Unlike prescription hearing aids, you can fit and adjust OTC hearing aids yourself without the help of a hearing health professional.

OTC hearing aids are only suitable for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDOCD) suggests that OTC hearing aids also may not be suitable for people with tinnitus or hearing loss in only one ear, noting that people with these issues should consult a doctor promptly for medical advice and treatment.

According to the American Tinnitus Association (ATA), up to 90% of people with chronic tinnitus also have some degree of hearing loss. In fact, hearing loss is the most common cause of tinnitus.

Scientists believe that hearing loss-induced tinnitus occurs because the hearing loss leads to a reduction in the amount of external sound reaching the brain. The brain then compensates for these lost signals by “creating” sounds that you then perceive as tinnitus.

According to a 2022 review, hearing aids can help reduce tinnitus, though scientists do not fully understand the underlying mechanisms involved. Some theories suggest that hearing aids may reduce tinnitus in the following ways:

  • Reducing central gain: Central gain refers to an increase in activity in the central auditory system due to a decrease in sound from external sources. It is one proposed cause of hearing loss-induced tinnitus. Hearing aids replace the sensory input that was lost, thus reducing central gain and associated tinnitus.
  • Promoting habituation: Hearing aids amplify external sounds, reducing the contrast between background sounds and your tinnitus. Over time, your brain gets used to — or “habituates” to — this change, and you become less perceptive to your tinnitus.
  • Masking tinnitus: Because hearing aids amplify external sounds, they can help divert your attention away from your tinnitus and toward other sounds. This helps cover or “mask” your tinnitus.
  • Reducing communication stress: Hearing loss can affect your ability to communicate with others, and the resulting stress could trigger or worsen your tinnitus. Hearing aids can help improve your hearing and ability to communicate, thereby reducing stress-related tinnitus.

In addition to the above, some of the latest hearing aid designs employ a technique called “supplemental sound masking.” This is where the hearing aids play white noise or some other artificial ambient sound directly into your ear to help mask your perception of tinnitus. Maskers, like white noise machines, can be used without hearing aids as well.

Although there is no cure for tinnitus, treatments can help reduce your perception of tinnitus and lessen its impact on your day-to-day functioning. The effectiveness of these treatments may differ from one person to the next.

It is best to talk with your doctor or audiologist for advice and recommendations on the treatment types they feel may be most likely to work for you.

Besides hearing aids, some treatment options to consider include:

  • Sound generators: These are devices that emit a constant sound with a volume and frequency that is similar to that of your tinnitus. This can help with tinnitus masking or habituation.
  • Behavioral therapies: These therapies focus on your emotional reaction to tinnitus and are particularly effective for treating tinnitus that interferes with your daily functioning. Examples include:
  • Medications: Although there are no medications to treat tinnitus, doctors may prescribe medications to help with tinnitus complications, such as depression, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping.

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of an external source. Most people with tinnitus have some degree of hearing loss. Research suggests that hearing aids may help reduce tinnitus and its impact on daily functioning. However, further large-scale, randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm these effects.

Scientists have proposed several mechanisms for how hearing aids may help with tinnitus. These mechanisms take into account factors such as central grain reduction, habituation, and masking. Some hearing aids also generate sounds to help with habituation and masking, though research suggests these are no more effective than standard hearing aids.

If you have tinnitus, it is advisable that you avoid purchasing over-the-counter hearing aids and instead consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment. Your doctor will work to identify the underlying cause of your tinnitus and advise on the most effective treatment options for your particular type of tinnitus.