If you have a moderate to severe tinnitus that stops you from sleeping then you might want to give sound therapy a shot. I helped a patient this week who had severe tinnitus, so loud that she started having problems sleeping. Please continue reading this article to learn more about the best tinnitus sound and noise therapy hearing aids.
Please refer to the following articles to learn more about tinnitus and tinnitus management:
There is no cure for tinnitus yet. You have heard this many times, however, there are several tinnitus management techniques to alleviate your tinnitus to a more comfortable level. I do not want to elevate your hopes high, as one might say, tinnitus sound therapy replaces one sound with another. That is a correct statement, but what if sound management helps you get on with your life, concentrate better and manage to sleep reasonably well?
One in 7 adults in the UK has tinnitus. Tinnitus can cause depression, anxiety, lack of attention and focus, fatigue, and stop the patient from being able to sleep. Lack of enough and deep sleep itself could cause other mental and physical health problems for the patient. According to Colten and Altevogt "The cumulative effects of sleep loss and sleep disorders have been associated with a wide range of deleterious health consequences including an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, and stroke."
The tinnitus sound therapy in essence is to try masking your tinnitus sound with another sound that is more comfortable to hear.
What hearing devices can provide tinnitus noise therapy?
Almost all premium hearing aids can be programmed to provide a range of different tinnitus sounds and tinnitus noise therapy. The behind-the-ear (BTE) and receiver-in-canal (RIC) provide better functionality for tinnitus-making as the rocker switch on them can be set up to toggle from hearing program to tinnitus masking. Also, the rocker switch can be set up to allow the wearer to adjust the level of the tinnitus masking. However, BTE and RIC models may not be the best for tinnitus masking while sleeping as they may cause discomfort for the patient.
What type or style of hearing aids are best for helping tinnitus masking for sleep?
Comple-in-Canal or CIC hearing aids are the best model of hearing aids for tinnitus masking if you intend to use them for sleeping. The reason is that they are small and are placed in the ear canal hence providing the least interference or discomfort while sleeping.
What is the most affordable in-the-canal CIC hearing aid for tinnitus masking?
The most affordable in-the-canal CIC hearing aid with tinnitus masking that is suitable for sleeping is Rexton M Core IX 30. The tinnitus masking Rexton CIC hearing aids can be White, pink, and brown noise and also in the form of wave sound. The technology level 20 of this hearing aid does not offer tinnitus management. The technology level 30 offers 4 programs that can be set up for tinnitus masking. Higher models of these hearing aids can offer 6 programs for tinnitus management. The volume of the tinnitus masking sound can be adjusted on the Rexton app on your smartphone. Rexton M Core CIC hearing aids are fitted with click sleeves and are placed in the canal so they are comfortable for sleeping.
Can I adjust the volume of tinnitus masking on my hearing aids?
Yes, except for invisible (IIC) hearing aids, you'll be able to adjust the volume of the tinnitus masking sound using the rocker switch, or the single button on the hearing aids, as well as the hearing aids app on your smartphone if the hearing aids are Bluetooth enabled.
Should I buy the top-of-the-range CIC hearing aids for tinnitus masking for sleep?
No, the lowest technology level with tinnitus masking is good enough. If you do not have any hearing loss and this is only the tinnitus masking for sleep that you need, then my advice is to consider the lowest range of technology levels that can offer programmes for tinnitus masking.
