Hearing aids in the management of tinnitus

Tinnitus is defined as the perception of sound in the absence of any external sound which may arise from the activity of the nervous system without any corresponding activity within cochlea. This sound can be experienced as buzzing, hissing or ringing. Tinnitus can occur in one or both ears, or be experienced as arising within the head, and can have on the sufferer. The basic goal of any line of treatment is to reduce the severity of tinnitus. Some patients are able to cope with the disturbing noise and their lives continue as normal. At the other extreme, some patients suffer so much that daily become is difficult. Most patients with tinnitus have some degree of hearing loss. Hearing aids acts as a maskers which helps to reduce the tinnitus in the way that it increases the brain activity to distinguish between true sounds and pseudo sounds (tinnitus) by the increased neural activity. Hearing aids also acts a stress barrier for the tinnitus sufferers after its use. They help to stimulate the auditory deprived areas. Evidence support the use of hearing aids for tinnitus management. Clinicians should feel reassured that some evidence shows support for the use of hearing aids for treating tinnitus.