Hearing Aids and Tinnitus: Effectiveness in Chronic Tinnitus

Tinnitus refers to the perception of sound in the ears or head without an external sound source. Worldwide, about 10–20% of the population is affected, and among older adults over 65 years of age, the prevalence rises to as high as 24%. Epidemiological studies estimate that approximately 1% of adults develop tinnitus each year, while about 14% of adults experience tinnitus at least occasionally and 2% suffer from a severe form. Prevalence increases with age: only about 10% of young adults are affected by tinnitus.

The term tinnitus derives from the Latin word tinnire, meaning “to ring.” Affected individuals describe the sounds in various ways — ranging from ringing and buzzing to clicking or pulsating tones. Tinnitus is not a disease in itself but rather a symptom that often indicates underlying conditions such as hearing loss. About one-third of individuals with hearing loss also experience tinnitus, and in more than 90% of cases, there is a direct association between the two conditions. Severe tinnitus can significantly impair quality of life, as the constant perception of sound can disrupt sleep, concentration, and daily activities.

Hearing aids therefore represent a key therapeutic option: they not only improve hearing but also reduce tinnitus through masking or enhanced auditory stimulation. Modern devices include specialized sound therapy programs that can mask tinnitus sounds or redirect attention, offering new ways to sustainably improve patients’ quality of life.

A study by Simonetti et al. (2022) examined 19 adults (10 women, 9 men; aged 32–62 years, mean 47.8 years) with chronic tinnitus lasting at least six months and mild to moderate bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Following comprehensive audiological assessments, participants were fitted with digital behind-the-ear hearing aids tailored to their hearing profiles and received individual counseling about tinnitus and habituation processes. During the six-month observation period, regular follow-up visits were conducted to adjust the devices and monitor use. Average daily wearing time increased from 7.2 hours in the first month to 9.1 hours in the sixth month.

The results showed significant improvements: the Tinnitus Handicap Index (THI) decreased from a mean of 58 points at baseline to 34 points after six months, while both the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were also significantly reduced (p < 0.001). The Minimum Masking Level (MML) dropped from 16.4 to 13.9 dB (p = 0.047), and 47% of participants reported a change in perceived tinnitus frequency. The study demonstrates that individually fitted hearing aids can substantially reduce tinnitus distress, improve hearing ability, and enhance quality of life — effects attributed to restored auditory stimulation and central neural adaptations.

Sources:

Jarach, C. M., Lugo, A., Scala, M., van den Brandt, P. A., Cederroth, C. R., Odone, A., Garavello, W., Schlee, W., Langguth, B., & Gallus, S. (2022). Global Prevalence and Incidence of Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Neurology, 79(9), 888–900. Source

Simonetti, P., Vasconcelos, L. G., Gândara, M. R., Lezirovitz, K., Medeiros, Í. R. T. de, & Oiticica, J. (2022). Hearing aid effectiveness on patients with chronic tinnitus and associated hearing loss. Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, 88(Suppl 3), S164–S170. Source