Tinnitus

[raljr1]

Hearing aids are for hearing loss, not tinnitus. I have had tinnitus for 50 years, I wear hearing aids, but I still hear the crickets. There is a device they van use, like a hearing aid which masks the sound by inserting a different sound (kinda like alternating sound waves or something). I figure one sound is better than two, and I just ignore it most of the time.,

Hearing aids do not amplify the tinnitus because they pick up sound from outside. the ringing is inside. I have Phonak aids and the tinnitus is not louder.

 

[Mister Coffee]

The auditory nerve carries this electrical signal to the brain, which turns it into a sound that we recognize and understand.

@absolutevil I have had tinnitus for many years. ... Car crashes (They are loud, you notice?), gun fire, and one Elton John concert at the Garden. ... My tinnitus may be less severe than yours. I've been to ENTs and audiologists, and I've read the stuff online.

The audiologist said something that worked for me: "Don't listen to it." That sounded like crazy talk, I immediately thought he was a bad doctor and perhaps a member of a political party that I didn't like. Then, he explained: "Listening to your tinnitus reinforces the neural auditory pathways. You need to disrupt these pathways by listening to something else, and establishing different pathways." He recommended listening to music, something a little more complicated than pop music, and listening to it at a slightly louder volume than necessary.

It's all about the neuroplasticity of the brain, baby. At least, that's what the smarty guys tell me.

 

[JMD999]

I discovered my state retirement insurance will pay for a large part of the hardware, the actual hearing aids. So before I'm forced into Medicare I'd get checked out.

They have gone way down in price, buy your own 2-300$.

 

[absolutevil]

I checked and right now I'm eligible for $2500 per device and a $10 co pay but soon I'll be off this plan and on Medicare. Figured if I ever thought about aids this would be the time.
Thanks for everyone's feedback I've read all the responses.

 

[Retired W4]

I have 10% VA for tinnitus but they didn't give me the hearing loss, how do you prove hearing loss for the VA, I was 11B

The VA farms out the eval to contractors these days. Get with a VFW advocate to help with the paperwork.

 

[TJm15.38]

I have tinnitus along with hearing loss that was documented in my military records. I only got 10% disability from the VA, but it still gave me free treatment and hearing aids which is a great benefit. Now I don't even have to go to the VA for follow up. Their community care program allows me to get evaluation, follow up and treatment with a local community provider.

 

[Greyman50]

I have 10% VA for tinnitus but they didn't give me the hearing loss, how do you prove hearing loss for the VA, I was 11B

Get a VA lawyer. Do an online search for the best ones in your area. They will get 25% of the back pay.