How To Manage Hearing Loss and Tinnitus This Summer

Exposure to loud noise can cause hearing loss that often takes the form of temporary or permanent tinnitus.

Tinnitus is described as a nagging buzzing, whistling, whining, or screeching noise in the head or ears that varies in intensity and can be intermittent or constant. The degree of loudness and even the type of sound is particular to each person. Some tinnitus sufferers describe the noise as being as piercing and sharp, such as the signal used in the emergency broadcast system. Tinnitus research suggests that you are more likely to experience tinnitus if you also have a hearing loss.

Tinnitus afflicts 50 million people in the U.S., and it can be instigated or worsened by the sounds of summer like boats, firecrackers and lawnmowers. All of these sounds are produced at decibel levels that can increase or cause hearing loss and tinnitus.

How does this damage happen?

Inside the ear are small, delicate hairs that help conduct the noise that constitutes your hearing. Injury to these hair cells comes from exposure – sudden or prolonged – to loud noises.

Protecting your hearing this summer and preventing the onset of tinnitus can be as simple as wearing earplugs when mowing the lawn, attending concerts, working with machinery, or enjoying fireworks. There are also custom fit protective ear molds available that provide increased comfort when engaging in noisy activities. We can advise you on the best options for your activities and help with any hearing loss or tinnitus-related issues. Hearing health starts with preventative measures!

Are there options for treating tinnitus?

In many cases, when someone has tinnitus and hearing loss and they treat their hearing loss with hearing aids, they will notice a decline in the level or severity of their tinnitus. The following products are specialized to offer the best technology and features for providing relief from tinnitus. 

Oticon Opn Tinnitus Sound Support

Tinnitus SoundSupport is proven sound generator technology integrated into all Oticon Opn hearing aids. You can select from a wide range of customizable tinnitus relief sounds that are dynamic, yet soothing — including broadband sounds (white, pink and red noise) and natural, ocean-like sounds.

Widex Zen Therapy

This device encompasses stress reduction, counseling, amplification and sound stimulation. This device combines the amplification technology of traditional hearing aids with musical tones to provide a pleasant stimulation that can reduce the stress of tinnitus. There are many sequences and simulations to chose from and our audiologists can fine-tune and customize the device to fit particular needs.

Starkey Xino Tinnitus

Customizable to stimulate you and cover up your tinnitus with white noise.

Resound LiNX3D

This device combines advanced tinnitus therapy with direct sound streaming to provide crystal clear sound with the superior sound quality. It continuously exchanges data about your sound environment for optimized performance.

Siemens BestSound Technology

The improved tinnitus therapy feature included in the BestSound® Technology includes a separate therapy signal generator with 8 pre-programmed therapy signals and 3 operating modes with the option for individual fine-tuning of tinnitus therapy in all channels.

• Synthetic signals: white noise, pink noise, speech noise, and high-tone noise 
• Ocean wave signal: sandy beach, pebble beach, rocky beach, and boulder beach
• Operating modes: microphone only signal, tinnitus therapy signal only, mixed mode

The goal for each product is essentially the same: provide amplification in the range where there is hearing loss, and reduce awareness of the tinnitus by delivering a pleasant and controlled sound stimulation to the ears.

In addition to offering tinnitus support, hearing aid manufacturers are releasing devices with extraordinary features. Everything from rechargeable hearings aids, to quick buttons, remote fine-tuning, and built-in “find lost hearing aid” trackers.  All of these options wrapped up inside smaller, more discreet and comfortable designs.

And now most of these hearing aid manufacturers are offering wireless connectivity with your smart devices. They can connect directly to your phone, tablet, car, or TV and work like wireless stereo headphones. Most even allow you to stream crystal clear phone calls, GPS directions, movies, podcasts, and music directly to your hearing aids.  

They are also frequently developing advanced apps that can make your life easier and more enjoyable.  Check out our list of fantastic and beneficial apps here.

To take control of your tinnitus and reduce its impact on your life contact Audiology & Hearing Aid Solutions today at 888-473-8702, in Clifton, Paramus, Pompton Lakes, Mahwah and Pompton Plains, New Jersey or schedule an appointment online.